How to do rainwater harvesting at home
Rainwater harvesting is the storage and use of rainwater during the rainy season for the purpose of using it during times of water scarcity and summer months. Generally speaking, it is a process used for collecting and storing rainwater for everyday use.
Rainwater harvesting is best described as the technique by which rain water is accumulated and stored with the intention of reusing it during the dry season or when there is a drought.
Now, the time to take initiative for rainwater harvesting for houses has arrived. Why because, the idea behind the process of rainwater harvesting is very simple. Rainwater harvesting, in its broadest sense is a modern way of save water at home/house. Rainwater harvesting has brought more relief during times of droughts. It is the best possible way to save water and invoke the society towards the importance of water. So, it really makes sense to set up a rainwater harvesting system now.
Rainwater harvesting techniques have been already been devised and used since ancient time. These were implemented at the community level in areas where rainfall is the only major source of freshwater, mostly in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. In Southern India rainwater harvesting systems are integrated into their architecture in the form of small ponds/tanks for each house, and temple tanks.
The basic rainwater harvesting system is more of a plumbing job than a technical job, as a ll the outlets form the buildings’ terrace are connected through pipes to an underground tank which stores water or a dug well, which serves the purpose of recharging wells and bore wells.
Advantages
- Reduces the dependency on ground water, hence potable water is available even during droughts, floods, etc. and is particularly useful where the groundwater is contaminated with chemicals like pesticides, fluoride, etc.
- These are easy to construct, easy to maintain, and easy to operate, and the investment is also less.
- It reduces soil erosion, and conserves groundwater.
- Roof Top rainwater harvesting, the roof becomes the catchment area, and the rainwater is collected from the roof of the house/building.
The Various components of a rainwater harvesting system are:
Catchment Area
This is the area which directly receives the rainwater. For buildings, roofs made of RCC and corrugated sheets can be used as catchments. RCC roofs need a slope to drain the rainwater from the roof into conduits/pipes which transport the water to collecting pits/tanks, etc. The outlets from the roof of the building should be covered with a mesh which will stop stones and other debris from entering the RWH system
Gutters
As most corrugated roofs are sloped, and gutters attached at the edges can collect the water draining from the sloped roof. The gutters can be of circular or rectangular cross section and can be made using iron or aluminum sheets, PVC pipes, or Bamboo, whichever is locally available and economical. PVC pipes (cut in half, to form a semi-circular cross section) are the most durable.
Pipes
These transport the rainwater collected form the catchment to the harvesting system, using gravity. PVC pipes are commonly used as they are economical and durable.
Benefits
1) Greenly promotes water conservation and saves money on water bills.
2) Reliable source of water in times of emergencies.
3) The system is easy to install, operate and maintain
4) This system can be setup for houses in rural, suburban and as well as urban areas
5) Reduces rainwater runoff and solve drainage problems
6) The system saves water at home by diminishing the dependency on ground water and municipal water supply
7) It is an ideal solution in the areas, which faces the inadequacy of water
Substantially reduces the consumption of potable water for various purposes
Water is our most precious natural resource and essential for all life and it plays an important role in transforming the lives of people to better and healthier one. Nowadays, access to sufficient amount of water is a major issue to most people living in both rural and urban areas.
Rainwater harvesting is the most acceptable and viable solution to help solve water crisis problems for various sectors. The concept of rainwater harvesting for house has been accepted all over the world.
Installation of Greenly Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Homes will be the best investment for decades to come in terms of saving water as well as saving money.
rainwater harvesting methods to be implemented at home.
