A rainwater collection system can be as simple as a barrel placed under your downspout.
Rainwater collection is a great way to conserve water consumption and prevent erosion. Collection systems can range from the very simple to quite complex. The system you set up in your home will depend on how much water you would like to harvest and what uses you will have for that water. Rainwater collection for a potable water source will require more preparation and care while rainwater collection for irrigation requires very little. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Rainwater Collection for Irrigation Purposes Only
1. Insert a downspout filter into the end of your downspout. You may need to remove a section of the downspout pipe so that it is level with the height of your storage tank.
2. Insert the end of the downspout into your storage tank. A storage tank may be a simple wood or plastic barrel. Many models are on the market today. For enhanced filtration, you can purchase a fiberglass or steel tank with a built-in filter. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for attaching the tank to the downspout.
3. Fit the downspout into the pre-cut hole in your tank or, if using a barrel, cut a hole into the lid to fit the downspout. Seal the hole with caulk to keep it airtight.
4. Drill a hole near the bottom of the barrel, on the side facing away from the house. Make the hole large enough to fit your spigot.
5. Insert the spigot and caulk around the hole. Attach a hose to the spigot for garden irrigation.
Rainwater Collection for Potable Water
6. Determine the roofing material used on your home. Potable water may be harvested only from homes with sheet metal or slate roofing. Clay or adobe tile are also acceptable for potable water harvesting, but due to their porosity, you may lose up to 10 percent of your volume of harvested water. Tar, asphalt shingles or wood shingles may leach toxic chemicals into the water.
7. Determine the material your gutters are made from. Gutters with any lead soldering or other lead components are unsuitable for potable water collection. Use a commercially available lead testing swab to test for lead content (see Resources).
8. Install leaf guards on your gutters if your home is surrounded by deciduous trees and experiences leaf litter in the autumn. Leaf guards keep leaves out of the gutters to increase water flow.
9. Install a first flush diverter. This can be purchased in a home and garden store. It is essentially a PVC pipe that diverts a portion of the rainwater to flush out silt, leaves, insects, bird and rodent feces and other debris. The diverter is equipped with a spigot and clean-out plug at the bottom. Water flows to the ground as with a traditional downspout. Remove the clean-out plug regularly to clear debris from the bottom of the diverter.
10. Attach the main flow downspout to the outlet on the first flush diverter.
11. Attach the roof washer tank to the end of the downspout. This is usually a 30 to 50 gallon tank containing a leaf and small debris filter. It is another line of defense against contaminated water. Use the piping including with your purchased roof washer tank and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
12. Attach your storage tank to the roof washer. Storage tanks can be made of a variety of materials including galvanized steel, wood, polycarbonate or cement. All are acceptable materials. Choose a storage tank based on your climate, aesthetic values and price. The capacity of tank you choose will depend on how much water you want to store and whether the rainwater will be a primary or backup source for you.
Tags: storage tank, potable water, roof washer, your home, your storage, your storage tank, clean-out plug