Rooftop rainwater harvesting is a process or a technique through which rainwater is collected from the roofs of our houses and stored for reuse, Instead of allowing the rainwater to runoff, be absorbed into the earth, or discharged into drains, streams, and rivers. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is a great technique for collecting and storing rainwater for future use. It is one of the simplest methods to save water and cut your water bills. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is a smart and environmentally friendly choice because of its low maintenance, cost-effectiveness, and easy operating features.
Why do You need To Harvest RainWater?
Due to the climate crisis, some regions of the world are facing longer and drier droughts, groundwater depletion, river pollution, and seawater pollution. As per UNICEF access to clean water for drinking and performing basic hygiene at home, in schools, and in healthcare facilities is limited and even worsening day by day.
- Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population experience severe water scarcity each year.
- More than two billion people live in countries with insufficient water supplies.
- By early 2025, half of the world’s population may live in regions with scarce water supplies.
- By 2030, severe water scarcity may cause 700 million people to migrate.
- Around 1 in 4 children globally, lives in extremely high water stress locations by the year 2040.
By looking deep into the problem rainwater harvesting is now becoming a more significant and sustainable approach. In areas where the water supply is low, dirty, and unsafe rainwater collection offers a great source of pure fresh water. Furthermore, collection and storage of rainwater can be more economical than desalination or pumping water over long distances. It is a great source of clean water for drinking, gardening, car washing, agricultural purpose, and home use.
What Are The Techniques Of Rainwater Harvesting?
The rooftop rainwater harvesting system mainly consists of a catchment area (i.e. Roof), a means to direct the water (such as pipes and downspout), and a location to store the rainwater (like RCC storage tank, loft water tank, or rain barrel). Rainwater captured from the roofs is directed to a storage tank through the pipelines and finally, it can be used for further use. Because it lacks proper filtration it can only be acceptable for basic uses like watering a garden, car washing, and floor washing in urban areas and for agricultural, livestock watering, and gardening purpose in rural areas.
Rooftop Rainwater Storage Volume Calculation
Are you living in a region where rainfall is frequent? If you are searching about how much volume you require for your storage tank, then don’t worry here is the formula you can use to calculate the volume of the rainwater storage tank.
The volume of storage tank required (cubic meter) = Roof surface area (square meter) x Average monthly/annual rainfall (meter) x loss factor
*Loss factor- Generally accounts for losses in the system (taken= 0.75-0.9)
What Are The Uses Of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting
The application of water we use from well and other sources is also applicable to rainwater harvesting. The water collected from the rooftop must be filtered to enhance the flavor, and odor and get rid of bacteria, pathogens, grit, and other impurities if it is used for drinking purposes, preparing food, or other direct consumption. If it is given a basic level of treatment it is appropriate for everyday uses like watering a lawn, putting out fires, or as grey water like toilet flushing, car washing, and floor washing.
Click Here To See Understanding Your House’s Plumbing Systems – All You Need To Know!
