With the monsoon season round the corner, we are all looking for ways to make the most of it. Rainwater harvesting is one such way by which you can not only put this much-priced natural resource to functional use, but also help the environment. Referring to the collection of rainwater for later use, most contemporary homes come with an in-built system. But if your home does not have one, rest your worries aside as we’ve got you covered! In this article, we will explore some DIY rainwater harvesting systems you can easily set up at home to make the most of the rains this season.
See also: Rooftop rainwater harvesting for home
Basic barrel system
This simple method is highly preferred for compact spaces like small gardens and patios that offer limited space for the set up.
Materials required
- 55-gallon food-grade plastic barrel
- PVC pipe (1-inch diameter)
- Mesh screen or filter
- Spigot
- Downspout diverter kit
- Cinder blocks or a stand
Steps
- Barrel preparation: Take the barrel and clean it thoroughly. Next, drill two holes in it on the bottom and top for the spigot and downspout connection respectively.
- Spigot installation: Use a waterproof sealant to attach the spigot to the hole drilled near the bottom.
- Setting up the downspout diverter: Install the diverter on the downspout and use a flexible hose to connect it to the top hole.
- Filter installation: Use a mesh screen as a filter by placing it over the top hole to not let debris into the storage system.
- Barrel elevation: To ensure easy access to the spigot, raise the level of the barrel by placing it on cinder blocks or a stand.
- Overflow connection: Drill another hole near the top to manage overflow and connect a hose to divert excess water away from your house.
Intermediate system with multiple barrels
If you have more space, you can go for a slightly more elaborate set up. This system is ideal for medium-sized gardens and supports multiple usage points.
Materials required
- Several 55-gallon barrels
- PVC pipe and fittings
- Mesh screens or filters
- Spigots for each barrel
- Hose connectors and downspout diverter kits
- Cinder blocks or stands
Steps
- Barrel preparation and connection: Clean the barrels thoroughly and drill holes for spigots and connections. To ensure even filling and drainage, connect the barrels using PVC pipes at the top and bottom.
- Spigot installation: To enable individual access to the barrels, attach spigots to each of them.
- Diverter setup: Make sure all the barrels are connected for uniform distribution of water and install a downspout diverter to the first barrel.
- Filter installation: Place mesh screens over each top hole to keep debris out.
- System elevation: Place the system at an elevated level using cinder blocks or stands under each barrel.
- Overflow system: Ensure secure connection of the overflow hoses for effective diversion of excess water.
Advanced system with underground storage
If you have the space for it, setting up an advanced rainwater harvesting system need not be difficult. There is a simple DIY method that caters to the extensive water needs of large households and can be set up if you have a vast outdoor space.
Materials required
- Large underground cistern or tank
- Submersible water pump
- PVC pipes and fittings
- First flush diverter
- Filtration system
- Pressure tank (optional)
- Garden hose connections and irrigation setup
Steps
- Tank selection and burying: Pick a large underground cistern, preferably over 1000 gallons, to function as your primary storage unit, and bury in a suitable location with proper excavation.
- Downspouts and diverters setup: Connect the roof downspouts to the underground cistern via first flush diverters in order to keep initial debris and contaminants at bay.
- Filter installation: Before water gets stored in the cistern and exits it later, it is crucial to have in place a pre-filtration system for additional filtering at both points.
- Pump and delivery system installation: To distribute the water to your garden or household systems, place a submersible pump in the cistern, preferably connected to a pressure tank, with a piping system.
- Overflow management: Handle excess water by having a proper overflow system in place.
Rain garden system
If you are looking for some sustainable landscaping and ecological gardening solutions, this might just be the one for you.
Materials required
- Rain barrels or cisterns (optional)
- PVC pipes and fittings
- Gravel, sand, and soil
- Native plants and grasses
- Digging tools and mulch
Steps
- Rain garden designing: For your rain garden, pick a low-lying area in your yard and excavate and shape it to direct rainwater into the garden.
- Downspout extensions setup: Channel the accumulated rainwater from your roof using downspout extensions or PVC pipes.
- Layer creation: Create different layers in the garden, with gravel right at the bottom, followed by sand, and finally a mix of soil and compost.
- Vegetation planting: Select native plants and grasses that thrive in wet conditions and plant them in the garden.
- Mulching and maintenance: To retain moisture and suppress weed growth, make sure to mulch regularly. Also ensure the plants are in a healthy condition and remove debris regularly for proper maintenance.
Greywater integration
An eco-friendly way to reduce household water consumption, this method is a highly versatile one.
Materials required
- Diverter valve
- Filtration system (simple gravel/sand filter or commercial greywater filter)
- PVC pipes and fittings
- Storage tank (optional)
- Drip irrigation system
Steps
- Diverter valve installation: Divert greywater from sinks, showers and laundry by connecting the diverter valve to your household plumbing system.
- Filtration setup: Remove large particles from the greywater by installing a basic filtration system.
- Connection to storage: While not necessary, it is recommended to connect the filtered greywater to a storage tank.
- Irrigation system: Direct the filtered greywater to your garden using PVC pipes and set up a drip irrigation system that effectively waters your plants.
FAQs
Why should I consider installing a rainwater harvesting system?
Rainwater harvesting is an eco-friendly way to reduce dependence on municipal supply and lower water bills by using stirred rainwater for various household uses.
Is rainwater safe to use for potable needs?
While rainwater can be used for potable needs if stored properly, it is essential to have a high-quality filtration and purification system to make it suitable for such purposes.
What materials are required to set up a DIY rainwater harvesting system?
The basic requirements include roof gutters and downspouts, storage tank, first flush diverter, filters, PVC pipes and fittings, spigots, valves, connectors, pumps and installation tools as necessary.
How much water can I harvest from my roof?
While the amount of harvestable water depends on the size of the roof and rainfall patterns, an average estimate you can refer to is for every inch of rainfall on a 1000 sqft roof, you can collect around 600 gallons of water.
How do I maintain a DIY rainwater harvesting system?
Maintenance tips include regularly cleaning gutters and screens to prevent clogging, checking for leaks in the storage tank, cleaning the first flush diverter periodically, and frequently testing the water quality.
What legal regulations to be considered for installing a rainwater harvesting system?
Regulations vary by location and it is recommended to check with local authorities and consult building codes for proper information.
Is harvested rainwater suitable for all household purposes?
Rainwater is suited for non-potable uses like flushing toilets, washing clothes and watering gardens. For potable uses, proper treatment and filtration is necessary.
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