Rainwater harvesting system: types of reservoirs and the use of rainwater in the house

The use of precipitation will provide significant savings in water produced from a well or a well. In addition, it will help reduce energy consumption, as it allows to turn on pumping equipment less frequently. However, you do not know how to collect a free “gift” of nature for further use?

We will show you how to do it. The article discusses the rainwater harvesting system and options for the use of precipitation for domestic use. The device, constructive specificity is described, the efficiency is estimated taking into account the money spent on the organization of alternative water supply.

For interested visitors, we picked up an organization chart with an underground and above-ground reservoir location, presented photos with options for masking the storage tank, collected useful video clips that allow you to organize the collection of water with your own by forces.

Precipitation options

With the supply of fresh water in Russia, everything is in order, but the most economic owners of private lands have increasingly begun to think about the rational use of natural resources.

As well as solar panels and with homemade windmills, they create universal rainwater harvesting systems that give a positive result on dry days or during periods when water ends in the well.

Excellent practical experience exists in Germany, Holland, Belgium and other countries of Europe. Considering that it is simply inexpedient to spend the water from the tap to flush the toilet cistern, the Europeans have come up with many ways to use absolutely free, but no less useful natural water.

Thanks to the use of rainwater, the consumption for depreciation of pumping and cleaning equipmentpersonal budget savings occur.

The system is so simple that in the absence of a fully finished factory model, you can always assemble it yourself.

The main purpose of the catchment system is to collect the maximum amount of rainwater and move it to the storage tank. Then the liquid is used for various household needs: washing, washing, cleaning, watering.

No additional cleaning is needed for irrigation, but for shower or dishwashing the water must be filtered. To this end, several filters are inserted into the plumbing wiring, and coarse and fine cleaning is required.

A reserve tank of water can help out when there is a shortage of water from the main source, and when force majeure occurs.

If you decide to clean the well, then bulk tank will allow and wash, and wash and water the country culture. Instead of one capacity, you can install several, then do not have to save.

Organizing rainwater collection for the home

Installation of rainwater collection equipment does not require permits or compliance with any strict regulations. At its core, this is a variant of the usual drainage system, but more rational.

In order for the accumulation and transportation of water to be more efficient, it is necessary to take into account some nuances - the condition of the roof, the types of storage tanks, the ability to quickly transfer water to the house.

Step # 1 - choosing the optimal shape of the roof

There is a popular belief that only sloping roofs are suitable as a work surface for collecting water. Indeed, when water flows by gravity into the gutters located along the perimeter, it is easier to organize its movement in the right direction. To do this, you do not need to install additional "traps" and lay communications under the roof.

In fact, there are systems designed for flat roofs. When laying layers of insulation and waterproofing observe a slope - not less than 3%, and at the lowest point install a chute or tray to collect water.

Among the drainage devices for flat roofs are funnels attached to drainpipes. The risers can be located inside the building or installed on the outer wall.

To stimulate the movement of water to the intake funnel around it, a fall is arranged within a radius of half a meter.

The design of the funnel may be different. For example, for inversion roofs there are two-level, collecting and draining condensate from under the layer of insulation and rainwater from the surface of the roof.

Traditional flat roofs are equipped drainage devices with one level, thanks to which rainwater is redirected to the drainage system.

All types of water intake devices should be equipped with a net protection from volatile pollution, foliage and dust. For trays, gutters and funnels, they release security devices in the form of perforated panels, mesh baskets, etc.

On flat roofs in use, flat protection is installed flush with the surface, on unexploited, it rises above the roof. In addition to the main funnel set several backup, in case the main clogs and fails.

All devices lead to the same pipeline. It has an internal arrangement, that is, it is under the roof, and a sealed, closed form, more often the form of a rectangular box. The gravitational channel is wider, siphon-vacuum narrow. The outlet is located above or near the storage tank.

The shape of the roof also does not affect the composition of the water, and the roofing material can cause poisoning or disease. As you know, asbestos is very dangerous, which is just a part of asbestos slabs and slate.

Now these materials are rarely used for roofing, but if you decide to provide the catchment system with an old house, be on the alert. Copper and lead are also dangerous, they can be contained in pipes, gutters or fasteners.

Safe roofing options:

Absolutely safe and modern PVC drainage systems, the most convenient for installation do it yourself.

Step # 2 - selection of water tanks and reservoirs

Precipitation falls irregularly, so there are no devices without a “transshipment base” connecting the trays directly to the water points. It is necessary to organize a large container for storing the collected water, which will allow it to be used only as needed.

The prototype of all modern tanks has become an ordinary barrel. It can now be found in the suburban areas, installed directly under the drainpipe.

The efficiency of the use of the barrel is conditional, as it has a small volume and is not suitable for water supply at home. In addition, in its design is not planned overflow systems, all the excess spill over the edges and enter the ground.

For water accumulation systems, volumetric tanks are made, which can be divided into two categories:

• groundinstalled under the drainage system against the wall (or inside the building);
• undergroundburied in the ground around the house.

The material for all types is the same - it is polyethylene, less often concrete, fiberglass or steel. Synthetic rainwater accumulators are leading, because they are not inferior in performance to their counterparts from other materials, at the same time much easier than them, respectively, more convenient for transportation and mounting.

The volume of ground tanks - from 750 to 2000 liters, underground - from 2000 to 5000 liters.

Large underground tanks equip surface or submersible pump to force water to dismantle points. The use of various equipment requires additional cleaning fluid. For this, a filtration system is used: a coarse filter is installed at the tank inlet, the same at the outlet.

Plastic reservoir options for collecting and storing rainwater:

If water comes to the sinks for washing or washing dishes, fine filters with a mesh of no more than 5 microns are required, as well as multi-stage carbon installations.

Step # 3 - Organization of the drainage system

Suppose your private house is equipped with a full-fledged shower, including a set of gutters and trays, drain pipes, grit chambers and sewer small septic tank.

Is it possible to install a structure for using rainwater in the house without major changes? Of course, but it is necessary to supplement the scheme with cumulative capacity and related equipment.

To begin with, it is necessary to analyze the state of the accumulating plane, that is, the roof. It should check its integrity, purity, and if necessary, change the roof covering to a more secure one.

If the storm construction of pipes and trays is in order, you can attach a factory-made large polyethylene tank directly to it. At the bottom of the tank install the fitting - for emergency drain.

If the need arises to install a large underground tank, it will be necessary to make adjustments to the old design - most likely, to change the location of the sewer pipes. Having dug a ditch and having established the pump equipment, it is necessary to lay again communications for drains.

We offer two options for the installation of rainwater utilization systems - with surface and underground reservoirs.

The device is a simple system with a barrel

To assemble the lightest scheme, you will need a set for the installation of drains, a filter, a ready-made water tank, a short hose and mounting fittings.

Plastic gutters, trays and pipes of the required size are purchased at the hardware store. If you are not satisfied with plastic, use parts made of galvanized steel, self-made or factory made.

We assemble the drainage system in the following order:

• with the help of special brackets or hooks we fasten along the edge of the gutter roof;
• on the corner, in a place convenient for the installation of the tank, hang the drain pipe;
• we connect the main elements of the receiving funnel;
• sealing seams and joints.

With installation of drains ensure that there is a slight slope in the direction of the pipe (2-3 cm by 1 m). The dimensions of pipes and gutters depend on the roof area. For example, a diameter of 80 mm is sufficient for a slope equipment of 25-30 m².

Collecting a corner pipe to which the tank will be attached, do not forget to insert the filter. The same filter for the delay of debris and sand can be equipped with a funnel.

Marker apply marking, determining the height of the installation of drainage at the top of the tank.

We take out the sawed-off area and in its place we insert a collector.

Hermetically tighten the water intake, then attach the hose to it. This is easy to do if you pre-install the fitting. Under the lid of the tank, cut a hole of a suitable diameter, insert the second end of the hose into it.

An important nuance: well-prepared base will help excess water to freely go into the ground (or sewer well), and not to pour along the house or to flood the foundation.

The site for the installation of the tank is covered with gravel, the top is made a stand of ceramic blocks or bricks.

Another installation instruction for the Aquacan water tank:

Assembling factory models is good because all the necessary parts and even some of the tools come with the tank.

Scheme of the device with an underground tank

Large capacity, installed near the house, will be able to satisfy the need for water by 50%. Thanks to the special wiring, rainwater will flow to the water points that do not require high quality liquid: to the toilet cisterns, kitchen and watering taps. But in this case filters are installed.

The tank can be installed under drain system on the surface, in the basement or in the trench dug near the house. We will choose the third option, in which the tank will be completely immersed in the ground, therefore, not will begin to occupy a free area near the building and not spoil the beautiful landscape with its technological kind of.

Choose a capacity of 2.5-3.5 thousand. liters, and, based on its size, we are looking for a place to install. In addition to the size when digging the pit, we must take into account the horizons of groundwater and the level of freezing.

The depth of the pit should be about 70 cm more than the height of the tank, since 20 cm is gravel-sandy. a cushion, 50 cm - a layer of earth above the reservoir (freezing in the middle lane and northern regions in the winter period).

Further we act according to the scheme:

• we get the soil, we take the excess one to the side;
• arrange a gravel-sand rammed pillow;
• in the center of the pit set the tank;
• we fall asleep from all sides with a mixture of soil and sand;
• we install the pump equipment and pipes (drain and leading to the house).

Of course, before connecting electrical equipment, it is necessary to adjust the water supply system from the roof and make internal wiring. Installation of drains occurs in the traditional way, the pipe through the hatch supplies water to the tank.

The pipeline from the tank leads to certain, pre-selected points. Inside the house, in the back room or in the basement, equipped with a place to install the pump, filters, monitoring equipment.

After installation and connection it is necessary to make a control start: pour water into the tank and turn on the pump. If everything is in order, the liquid will quickly flow to the points of the water intake.

The container should not be empty, as the ground movement can cause the deformation of the body. If water runs out during a drought, it is necessary to fill it from the main source. In order not to measure the water level with the help of available tools, it is possible to draw a peculiar scale with divisions in fractions or liters from the inside on the wall.

Rainwater in the heating system

In some cases, rainwater is used instead of distilled liquid or antifreeze in the heating systems of private homes.

Natural characteristics - softness, absence of extraneous inclusions and purity - make it suitable for pouring into the heating network. To remove possible pollution, "caught" in the atmosphere, it is initially driven through a filter.

In addition to cleansing procedures, enrichment of the fluid with special inhibitors and surfactants, which reduce the tendency of water to form corrosion and plaque, helps. Chemical compounds contribute to the dissolution of lime and other deposits.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Educational informational videos will help you to independently install a storage tank for collecting rainwater.

Video # 1. How to make a rainwater harvesting system with your own outdoor tank:

Video # 2. Useful theoretical information:

Video # 3. Preparation of plastic barrels for autonomous water supply:

The cleanliness and natural softness of rainwater allow it to be used for household needs, watering, and sometimes - for filling the heating system.. Due to the large storage tank and pump, you can always use a backup water source that is relevant during the emptying of the well.

If you have interesting information, valuable recommendations, your own experience in the device system, built to collect rainwater, please leave comments. For their placement below the text of the article a block form is open.