How to Harvest Rainwater - Revision history

Admin: /* Categories */

2010-01-27T13:56:28Z

‎Categories

Admin: /* Useful contacts */

2010-01-16T18:15:05Z

‎Useful contacts

Admin: /* Useful contacts */

2010-01-16T17:29:29Z

‎Useful contacts

Admin: /* Useful addresses */

2010-01-16T17:28:03Z

‎Useful addresses

Show changes

Admin: /* Rainwater quality and health */

2010-01-16T17:25:32Z

‎Rainwater quality and health

Admin: /* Method 1 - demand side approach */

2010-01-16T17:21:55Z

‎Method 1 - demand side approach

Admin: /* Method 2 - supply side approach */

2010-01-16T17:21:22Z

‎Method 2 - supply side approach

Admin: /* Typical domestic RWH systems. */

2010-01-16T17:16:18Z

‎Typical domestic RWH systems.

Admin: /* Introduction */

2010-01-16T17:04:43Z

‎Introduction

Admin: /* Categories */

2009-12-10T14:11:00Z

‎Categories

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 [[Category:Community]] [[Category:Equipment Design]] [[Category:Health]] [[Category:Hygiene]] [[Category:Ideas]]  [[Category:Pollution]] [[Category:Sanitation]]
-[[Category:Global Technology]] [[Category:Arid Climate]] [[Category:Forest Environment]] [[Category:Global]] [[Category:Mediterranean Climate]] [[Category:Monsoon Climate]] [[Category:Montaneous Environment]] [[Category:Coastal Area]] [[Category:Rural Environment]] [[Category:Temperate Climate]] [[Category:Tropical Climate]] [[Category:Urban Environment]]
+[[Category:Global Technology]] [[Category:Arid Climate]] [[Category:Forest Environment]] [[Category:Global]] [[Category:Mediterranean Climate]] [[Category:Monsoon Climate]] [[Category:Rainy season]][[Category:Montaneous Environment]] [[Category:Coastal Area]] [[Category:Rural Environment]] [[Category:Temperate Climate]] [[Category:Tropical Climate]] [[Category:Urban Environment]]
 [[Category:Cement]]
 [[Category:Application]]

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 '''Kenya Rainwater Association<br />'''P O Box 72387, Nairobi, Kenya<br /> E-mail: [mailto:kra@net2000ke.com kra@net2000ke.com]<br />   <br />'''United Kingdom Rainwater Harvesting Association<br />'''Website: http://www.rainharvesting.co.uk/
-'''The Pelican Tank Rainwater Collection System '''- a packaged RWH collection system developed in Australia for use in developing countries <br />http://www.pastornet.net.au/worldview/ac.htm
+'''The Pelican Tank Rainwater Collection System '''- a packaged RWH collection system developed in Australia for use in developing countries <br />http://www.trade.altconcepts.net/
-'''SimTanka<br />'''http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/4805
+'''SimTanka<br />'''tp://homepage.mac.com/vsvyas/science.html#simtanka
 '''JRCSA (Japan Rainwater Catchment Association) <br />'''http://takeyam.life.shimane-u.ac.jp/jircsa/homepage.html
-'''SA WATER (South Australian Water Corporation)<br />'''http://www.sacentral.sa.gov.au/agencies/saw
+'''SA WATER (South Australian Water Corporation)<br />'''http://www.sawater.com.au
-'''Centre for Science and the Environment (CSE)<br />'''http://oneworld.org/cse/html/cmp/cmp43.htm - <br /> Rainwater harvesting page - a very active Indian Group
+'''Centre for Science and the Environment (CSE)<br />'''http://www.cseindia.org/taxonomy/term/20167/menu - <br /> Rainwater harvesting page - a very active Indian Group
-Sunstove<br />http://www.sungravity.com/index.html<br /> The Sunstove Organization's web site provides free instructions, photos, drawings and specifications to build a roof catchment system, sand filter, cement water tank, and spring capping systems
+Sunstove<br />http://www.sungravity.com/gravity_water.html<br /> The Sunstove Organization's web site provides free instructions, photos, drawings and specifications to build a roof catchment system, sand filter, cement water tank, and spring capping systems
-http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/TechPublications/TechPub-8d/index.html#1 - link to a recent '''UNEP''' publication titled 'Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augumentation in Small Island Developing States' that includes some useful information on RWH
+http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publications/techpublications/TechPub-8d/index.asp - link to a recent '''UNEP''' publication titled 'Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augumentation in Small Island Developing States' that includes some useful information on RWH
-http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/TechPublications/TechPub-8e/index.html<br /> Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augumentation in Some Countries in Asia - another in this series of '''UNEP''' publications
+http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Publications/TechPublications/TechPub-8e/index.asp <br /> Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augumentation in Some Countries in Asia - another in this series of '''UNEP''' publications
 '''World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)<br />'''http://www.wmo.ch/
-http://www.ufrpe.br/~debarros/APED/RWCpres/index.htm - Rainwater Harvesting in the Loess Plateau of Gansu, China - a paper presented at the 9th '''IRCSA''' Conference in Brazil
+www.cpatsa.embrapa.br/catalogo/doc/wordwide/2_3_Zhu_Qiang.doc - Rainwater Harvesting in the Loess Plateau of Gansu, China - a paper presented at the 9th '''IRCSA''' Conference in Brazil
-http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/Rainwater.html#CSI - Sustainable Building Sourcebook Website
+http://rainwater.sustainablesources.com/ - Sustainable Building Sourcebook Website
 ==Information Centers==

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 ==Useful contacts==
-'''Development Technology Unit, <br /> School of Engineering, <br /> University of Warwick, <br />'''Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. <br /> Email [mailto:dtu@eng.warwick.ac.uk dtu@eng.warwick.ac.uk]<br /> Website http://www.eng.warwick.ac.uk/DTU/rainwaterharvesting/index.htm - a number of case studies from around the world, with good descriptions. <br /> Contact Dr Terry Thomas. Also the co-ordinators of the Rainwater Harvesting Research Group (RHRG)
+'''Development Technology Unit, <br /> School of Engineering, <br /> University of Warwick, <br />'''Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. <br /> Email [mailto:dtu@eng.warwick.ac.uk dtu@eng.warwick.ac.uk]<br /> Website http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/research/civil/dtu/rwh/ - a number of case studies from around the world, with good descriptions. <br /> Contact Dr Terry Thomas. Also the co-ordinators of the Rainwater Harvesting Research Group (RHRG)
 '''International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (IRCSA)<br />'''Dept. of Natural Resources, Chinese Cultural University, Hwa Kang, Yang Min Shan, Taipei, Taiwan. <br /> E-mail: [mailto:ufab0043@ms5hinet.net ufab0043@ms5hinet.net]  <br /> Website: http://www.ircsa.org/<br /> IRCSA Fact sheets http://www.ircsa.org/factsheets.htm

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 Generally the chemical quality of rainwater will fall within the WHO guidelines and rarely presents problems. There are two main issues when looking at the quality and health aspects of DRWH:
-Firstly, there is the issue of ''bacteriological water quality''. Rainwater can become contaminated by faeces entering the tank from the catchment area. It is advised that the catchment surface always be kept clean. Rainwater tanks should be designed to protect the water from contamination by leaves, dust, insects, vermin, and other industrial or agricultural pollutants. Tanks should be sited away from trees, with good fitting lids and kept in good condition. Incoming water should be filtered or screened, or allowed to settle to take out foreign matter (as described in a previous section). Water which is relatively clean on entry to the tank will usually improve in quality if allowed to sit for some time inside the tank. Bacteria entering the tank will die off rapidly if the water is relatively clean. Algae will grow inside a tank if sufficient sunlight is available for photosynthesis. Keeping a tank dark and sited in a shady spot will prevent algae growth and also keep the water cool. As mentioned in a previous section, there are a number of ways of diverting the dirty 'first flush' water away from the storage tank. The area surrounding a RWH should be kept in good sanitary condition, fenced off to prevent animals fouling the area or children playing around the tank. Any pools of water gathering around the tank should be drained and filled.
+Firstly, there is the issue of '''bacteriological water quality'''. Rainwater can become contaminated by faeces entering the tank from the catchment area. It is advised that the catchment surface always be kept clean. Rainwater tanks should be designed to protect the water from contamination by leaves, dust, insects, vermin, and other industrial or agricultural pollutants. Tanks should be sited away from trees, with good fitting lids and kept in good condition. Incoming water should be filtered or screened, or allowed to settle to take out foreign matter (as described in a previous section). Water which is relatively clean on entry to the tank will usually improve in quality if allowed to sit for some time inside the tank. Bacteria entering the tank will die off rapidly if the water is relatively clean. Algae will grow inside a tank if sufficient sunlight is available for photosynthesis. '''Keeping a tank dark and sited in a shady spot''' will prevent algae growth and also keep the water cool. As mentioned in a previous section, there are a number of ways of diverting the dirty 'first flush' water away from the storage tank. The area surrounding a RWH should be kept in good sanitary condition, fenced off to prevent animals fouling the area or children playing around the tank. Any pools of water gathering around the tank should be drained and filled.
 Gould points out that in a study carried out in north-east Thailand 90 per cent of in-house storage jars were contaminated whilst only 40% of the RWH jars were contaminated. This suggests secondary contamination (through poor hygiene) is a major cause of concern.
-Secondly, there is a need to prevent insect vectors from breeding inside the tank. In areas where malaria is present, providing water tanks without any care for preventing insect breeding, can cause more problems than it solves. All tanks should be sealed to prevent insects from entering. Mosquito proof screens should be fitted to all openings. Some practitioners recommend the use of 1 to 2 teaspoons of household kerosene in a tank of water which provides a film to prevent mosquitoes settling on the water.
+Secondly, there is a need to '''prevent insect vectors from breeding inside the tank'''. In areas where malaria is present, providing water tanks without any care for preventing insect breeding, can cause more problems than it solves. All tanks should be sealed to prevent insects from entering. Mosquito proof screens should be fitted to all openings. Some practitioners recommend the use of 1 to 2 teaspoons of household kerosene in a tank of water which provides a film to prevent mosquitoes settling on the water.
 There are several simple methods of treatment for water before drinking.

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 </blockquote><blockquote><blockquote>
-Annual consumption = C × n = 120 litres
+Annual consumption = C x n = 120 litres
-Storage requirement, T = 120 × 25 = 3,000 litres
+Storage requirement, T = 120 x 25 = 3,000 litres
 </blockquote></blockquote>

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 Total daily demand: 450 litres
 | valign="top" |
-(190 × 1056 × 0.9)/365 = 494.7 litres
+(190 x1056 x0.9)/365 = 494.7 litres
 |}

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 ==Typical domestic RWH systems.==
+A typical domestic RWH consists of a collection surface, gutters and a storage container. In addition, there are options for diverting first-flush water and filtration.
 <div class="booktext">
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 </center>
-Most dwellings, however, have a roof. The style, construction and material of the roof affect its suitability as a collection surface for water. Typical materials for roofing include corrugated iron sheet, asbestos sheet; tiles (a wide variety is found), slate, and thatch (from a variety of organic materials). Most are suitable for collection of roofwater, but only certain types of grasses e.g. coconut and anahaw palm (Gould and Nissen Peterson, 1999), thatched tightly, provide a surface adequate for high quality water collection. The rapid move towards the use of corrugated iron sheets in many developing countries favours the promotion of RWH (despite the other negative attributes of this material).
+The style, construction and material of the roof affect its suitability as a collection surface for water. Typical materials for roofing include corrugated iron sheet, asbestos sheet; tiles (a wide variety is found), slate, and thatch (from a variety of organic materials). Most are suitable for collection of roofwater, but only certain types of grasses e.g. coconut and anahaw palm (Gould and Nissen Peterson, 1999), thatched tightly, provide a surface adequate for high quality water collection. The rapid move towards the use of corrugated iron sheets in many developing countries favours the promotion of RWH (despite the other negative attributes of this material -price & heat issue in warm countries- ).
 ===Guttering===
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 </center>
 ===First flush systems===
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 </center>
-Another system that is used relies on a floating ball that forms a seal once sufficient water has been diverted (see Figure 7b). The seal is usually made as the ball rises into the apex of an inverted cone. The ball seals the top of the 'waste' water chamber and the diverted water is slowly released, as with the bucket system above, through a small bore pipe. Again, the alternative is to use a tap. In some systems (notably one factory manufactured system from Australia) the top receiving chamber is designed such that a vortex is formed and any particles in the water are drawn down into the base of the vortex while only clean water passes into the storage tank. The 'waste' water can be used for irrigating garden plants or other suitable application. The debris has to be removed from the lower chamber occasionally.
+Another system relies on a floating ball that forms a seal once sufficient water has been diverted (see Figure 7b). The seal is usually made as the ball rises into the apex of an inverted cone. The ball seals the top of the 'waste' water chamber and the diverted water is slowly released, as with the bucket system above, through a small bore pipe. Again, the alternative is to use a tap. In some systems (notably one factory manufactured system from Australia) the top receiving chamber is designed such that a vortex is formed and any particles in the water are drawn down into the base of the vortex while only clean water passes into the storage tank. The 'waste' water can be used for irrigating garden plants or other suitable application. The debris has to be removed from the lower chamber occasionally.
 Although the more sophisticated methods provide a much more elegant means of rejecting the first flush water, practitioners often recommend that very simple, easily maintained systems be used, as these are more likely to be repaired if failure occurs.
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 The simple trash rack has been used in some systems but this type of filter has a number of associated problems: firstly it only removes large debris; and secondly the rack can become clogged easily and requires regular cleaning.
-The sand-charcoal-stone filter is often used for filtering rainwater entering a tank. This type of filter is only suitable, however, where the inflow is slow to moderate, and will soon overflow if the inflow exceeds the rate at which the water can percolate through the sand. Settling tanks and partitions can be used to remove silt and other suspended solids from the water. These are usually effective where used, but add significant additional cost if elaborate techniques are used. Many systems found in the field rely simply on a piece of cloth or fine mosquito mesh to act as the filter (and to prevent mosquitoes entering the tank).
+The sand-charcoal-stone filter is often used for filtering rainwater entering a tank. This type of filter is only suitable, however, where the inflow is slow to moderate, and will soon overflow if the inflow exceeds the rate at which the water can percolate through the sand. Settling tanks and partitions can be used to remove silt and other suspended solids from the water. These are usually effective where used, but add significant additional cost if elaborate techniques are used. Many systems found in the field rely simply on a piece of cloth or fine mosquito mesh to act as the filter (and to '''prevent mosquitoes entering the tank''').
 Post storage filtration include such systems as the upflow sand filter or the twin compartment candle filters commonly found in LDC's. Many other systems exist and can be found in the appropriate water literature.

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 <div class="booktext">
-A sufficient, clean drinking water supply is essential to life. Millions of people throughout the world still do not have access to this basic necessity. After decades of work by governments and organisations to bring potable water to the poorer people of the world, the situation is still dire. The reasons are many and varied but generally speaking, the poor of the world cannot afford the capital intensive and technically complex traditional water supply systems which are widely promoted by governments and agencies throughout the world. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is an option that has been adopted in many areas of the world where conventional water supply systems have failed to meet peoples needs. It is a technique that has been used since antiquity.
+A sufficient, clean drinking water supply is essential to life. Millions of people throughout the world still do not have access to this basic necessity. After decades of work by governments and organisations to bring potable water to the poorer people of the world, the situation is still dire. The reasons are many and varied but generally speaking, the poor of the world cannot afford the capital intensive and technically complex traditional water supply systems which are widely promoted by governments and agencies throughout the world. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is an option that has been adopted in many areas of the world where conventional water supply systems have failed to meet peoples needs. RainWater Harvesting is a proven technology that has been in use since ancient times.
 <center>
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 </center>
-Examples of RWH systems can be found in all the great civilisations throughout history. In industrialised countries, sophisticated RWH systems have been developed with the aim of reducing water bills or to meet the needs of remote communities or individual households in arid regions. Traditionally, in Uganda and Sri Lanka, for example, rainwater is collected from trees, using banana leaves or stems as temporary gutters; up to 200 litres may be collected from a large tree in a single storm. Many individuals and groups have taken the initiative and developed a wide variety of RWH systems throughout the world.
+Examples of RWH systems can be found throughout history. In industrialised countries, sophisticated RWH systems have been developed to reduce water bills or to meet the needs of remote communities or individual households in arid regions. Traditionally, in Uganda and Sri Lanka, for example, rainwater is collected from trees, using banana leaves or stems as temporary gutters; up to 200 litres may be collected from a large tree in a single storm. Many individuals and groups have taken the initiative and developed a wide variety of RWH systems throughout the world.
-It is worth distinguishing, between the various types of RWH practised throughout the world. RWH has come to mean the control or utilisation of rainwater close to the point rain reaches the earth. Its practice effectively divides into<br />
+Many kinds of rainwater harvesting are practised throughout the world. Basically RWH may be divided into two types: <br />
 <blockquote>
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 </blockquote>
-<br /> It is worth bearing in mind that rainwater harvesting is not the definitive answer to household water problems. There is a complex set of inter-related circumstances that have to be considered when choosing the appropriate water source. These include cost, climate, hydrology, social and political elements, as well as technology, all play a role in the eventual choice of water supply scheme that is adopted for a given situation. RWH is only one possible choice, but one that is often overlooked by planners, engineers and builders.
+<br /> Domestic RWH is a simple mechanism to collect and store rainwater mainly for drinking and cooking. It may be household based or community based. The system uses a collection surface such as a roof, gutters to guide the rainwater, and a container to store the water.
 The reason that RWH is rarely considered is often due to lack of information - both technical and otherwise. In many areas where RWH has been introduced as part of a wider drinking water supply programme, it was at first unpopular, simply because little was known about the technology by the beneficiaries. In most of these cases, the technology has quickly gained popularity as the user realises the benefits of a clean, reliable water source at the home. the town supply is unreliable or where local water sources dry up for a part of the year, but is also In many cases RWH has been introduced as part of an integrated water supply system, where often used as the sole water source for a community or household. It is a technology that is flexible and adaptable to a very wide variety of conditions, being used in the richest and the poorest societies on our planet, and in the wettest and the driest regions of the world.
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 ===Components of a domestic RWH system===
-DRWH systems vary in complexity, some of the traditional Sri Lankan systems are no more that a pot situated under a piece of cloth or plastic sheet tied at its corners to four poles. The cloth captures the water and diverts it through a hole in its centre into the pot. Some of the sophisticated systems manufactured in Germany incorporate clever computer management systems, submersible pumps, and links into the grey water and mains domestic plumbing systems. Somewhere between these two extremes we find the typical DRWH system used in a developing country scenario. Such a system will usually comprise a collection surface (a clean roof or ground area), a storage tank, and guttering to transport the water from the roof to the storage tank. Other peripheral equipment is sometimes incorporated, for example: first flush systems to divert the dirty water which contains roof debris after prolonged dry periods; filtration equipment and settling chambers to remove debris and contaminants before water enters the storage tank or cistern; handpumps for water extraction; water level indicators, etc.
+Domestic RWH systems (DRWH) vary in complexity, some of the traditional Sri Lankan systems are no more that a pot situated under a piece of cloth or plastic sheet tied at its corners to four poles. The cloth captures the water and diverts it through a hole in its centre into the pot. Some of the sophisticated systems manufactured in Germany incorporate clever computer management systems, submersible pumps, and links into the grey water and mains domestic plumbing systems. Somewhere between these two extremes we find the typical DRWH system used in a developing country scenario. Such a system will usually comprise a collection surface (a clean roof or ground area), a storage tank, and guttering to transport the water from the roof to the storage tank. Other peripheral equipment is sometimes incorporated, for example: first flush systems to divert the dirty water which contains roof debris after prolonged dry periods; filtration equipment and settling chambers to remove debris and contaminants before water enters the storage tank or cistern; handpumps for water extraction; water level indicators, etc.
 </div>

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 [[Category:Application]]
 [[Category:Household]]
 [[Category:Requested translation to Spanish]] [[Category:Requested translation to French]]