FLOOD

CONTROL AND
DRAINAGE
ENGINEERING
RAINWATER
HARVESTING SYSTEM
 • Also called Rainwater Collection
System or Rainwater Catchment System.
• A system that collects and stores rainwater for
human use.
• Rainwater harvesting systems range from
Rainwater simple rain barrels to more elaborate structures
with pumps, tanks, and purification systems.

Harvesting • The non-potable water can be used to irrigate

landscaping, flush toilets, wash cars, or launder
System clothes, and it can even be purified for
human consumption.
• With water scarcity a pressing problem for
many densely populated regions, rainwater
harvesting systems can supply households and
businesses with water for use in dry seasons and
lessen the demand on municipal systems.
 The simplest rainwater harvesting systems are nonpressurized systems, such as rain barrels,
where the pipes run from rain gutters into a tank.

Known as “dry systems,” those structures do not hold any water in the pipes after it stops raining
and do not create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects.

Rainwater “Wet systems” are necessary when the pipes cannot be configured to run directly into the
tanks. In places where the tanks are located some distance away from the collection surfaces

Harvesting
or where there are a series of tanks to serve several buildings, pipes from the gutter go
underground and then up through a riser into the tank. Such systems are often pressurized so
that the long runs of pipes do not retain stagnant water.
Well-designed rainwater harvesting systems ensure that the pipes and all other openings are

System
insect-proof, especially in wet systems.

Design
Additionally, wire mesh screen covers on all tank inlets can help prevent debris from entering
the tank. Collection surfaces (mainly roofs) should be made of nontoxic materials, particularly
avoiding lead-based paints and membranes, and tanks should be made of nontoxic and
noncorrosive material. Care should be taken to ensure that the tank outlet taps or draw-off
pipes are at least 10 cm (4 inches) above the tank floor to avoid drawing out any sludge that
may have collected in the water supply. Although some systems have a sump pump and
washout pipe to remove sludge, regular cleaning of the inside surfaces of the tank is
recommended for all systems.

Additionally, catchments should be kept clean of accumulations of dirt, moss, lichens, and
other debris. Tree branches that overhang those catchment surfaces should be cut back.
Regular cleaning of gutters, tank inlets, and screens and annual tank inspection are necessary
for proper functioning. Ideally, the water should be tested periodically to monitor its quality.
Rainwater Quality
Although collected rainwater does not
need a high degree of purity for
garden or agricultural applications,
Rainwater mixes with both soluble and Contaminants may be plants, fungi,
rainwater collected from unclean
insoluble materials from the surfaces on and other organic materials, as well as
surface runoffs is not suitable for
which it lands and collects dust and inorganic substances such as dissolved
drinking or cooking. Separation of the
pollutants as it flows down through the minerals, metals, chemicals, or water-
first flush of rainwater from the roof,
atmosphere. soluble paints.
gutters, and other collection surfaces
can improve water quality in the
rainwater storage tank.

If collected rainwater is intended for A liquid alum solution can also be Prefiltered water may then undergo
household uses, it must first be purified. added to the incoming raw water to solar water disinfection or be treated
Flocculation, settlement, and biofilm bind fine suspended particles to form with chlorine or other chemicals to kill
skimming can be used to remove larger particles that can be removed infectious agents if the supply is
bacteria, organic material, and by settling and filtration. That removes intended for potable uses. Other
chemicals that form films on surfaces or objectionable color, turbidity chemicals used for water purification
settle to the bottom of the tanks as (cloudiness), and aluminum from the are potassium permanganate, calcium
sludge. drinking water. hydroxide, and fluoride.
 A rainwater harvesting system consists of three basic elements: a
collection area, a conveyance system, and storage facilities.

Rainwater The collection area in most cases is the roof of a house or a building.
The effective roof area and the material used in constructing the

Harvesting
roof influence the efficiency of collection and the water quality.

from A conveyance system usually consists of gutters or pipes that deliver

Rooftop
rainwater falling on the rooftop to cisterns or other storage vessels.
Both drainpipes and roof surfaces should be constructed of
chemically inert materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum, or

Catchments fiberglass, in order to avoid adverse effects on water quality.

The water ultimately is stored in a storage tank or cistern, which

should also be constructed of an inert material. Reinforced
concrete, fiberglass, or stainless steel are suitable materials. Storage
tanks may be constructed as part of the building or may be built as
a separate unit located some distance away from the building.
Schematic of a Typical Rainwater Catchment System
 • Less cost.
• Helps in reducing the water bill.
• Decreases the demand for water.
• Reduces the need for imported water.
• Promotes both water and energy conservation.

Advantages • Improves the quality and quantity of groundwater.

• Does not require a filtration system for landscape

of Rainwater irrigation.
• This technology is relatively simple, easy to install and
Harvesting operate.
• It reduces soil erosion, stormwater runoff, flooding, and
pollution of surface water with fertilizers, pesticides,
metals and other sediments.
• It is an excellent source of water for landscape
irrigation with no chemicals and dissolved salts and free
from all minerals.
 • Regular Maintenance is required.
• Requires some technical skills for
installation.
• Limited and no rainfall can limit the supply
Disadvantages of Rainwater.
of Rainwater • If not installed correctly, it may attract
Harvesting mosquitoes and other waterborne
diseases.
• One of the significant drawbacks of the
rainwater harvesting system is storage
limits.