Note: non-irrigation systems will also include Filtration and Purification

The capture is the roof of the house. It is the one item that is typically set in stone and not expandable. The first thing to keep in mind harvesting rainwater is the need to keep debris out of the
water system. You can install screens on each of the canals or downspouts to prevent large particulates from entering the system. This does not keep everything out, but also means they do not have to be cleaned frequently. It does require the tank to be emptied and cleaned every few years.

Getting the water from the roof to the tank is the role of the conveyance system. The simplest and most cost effective design is for the tank to be directly under the canal or downspout, resulting in a very short and extremely inexpensive conveyance system. Some homeowners’ choose to bury the tank due to the small lot size or aesthetics. With a buried tank, the conveyance system consists of underground piping that moves the water from the downspouts to the tank. Gravity and water pressure are the forces that move the water through the downspouts and pipe to the tank. Ideally, the buried pipe should slope about 1 inch every 4-6 feet.

The tanks are the holding system (also referred to as the storage system). Polypropylene tanks are the most common and widely available tanks and can be had in a wide array of sizes are that can either be buried or not. These should be sized correctly to meet your water use requirements or you can make a plan to install another tank in the future. The last and sometimes the most complex aspect of the system is the distribution system. The simplest solution for a above ground system would include a hose bib located near the bottom of the holding tank, allowing gravity and water pressure to do the rest. For buried systems, using a small submersible pump hooked directly an outdoor hose bib or a pump will do the trick. Note: use a pump comes with a float and automatic shut-off to prevent the pump from burning out when the tank is empty.

If your system is intended for drinking water, all the components of the system must be for “potable water”. Additionally, some type of water filtration system would need to be added to the system. This will significantly increase the cost of the system, but also make you less reliant on the utility company. Plus you’ll have the benefit of drinking and using pure rainwater on your plants and shrubs instead of water that has not been grossly over-treated with chemicals.

As you start your planning, start by watching your water needs: how much do you use and how are you using it. Conserve first and then start building your system small with an eye on the future. Water rates are not going to go down and rainwater harvesting can be a very good investment if done
wisely.

If you have questions about this, or any other topic discussed in our blog – please feel free to contact us @ 814.643.4968