{"id":890,"date":"2023-03-09T15:08:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T21:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ntotank.com\/blog\/?p=890"},"modified":"2023-04-11T15:44:43","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T21:44:43","slug":"components-of-a-successful-rainwater-harvesting-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ntotank.com\/blog\/components-of-a-successful-rainwater-harvesting-system","title":{"rendered":"Rain Tanks | Components of a Successful Rainwater Harvesting System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It doesn\u2019t take much to successfully harvest rainwater that is suitable for use around a home or property to water the landscape. At its most simple, all that\u2019s needed for rainwater harvesting is a good surface to catch rain from, a container, and a means to channel rainwater to that container. But by adding a few products, pieces of equipment, and accessories to the rainwater system, you can greatly improve the quality of harvested rainwater, reduce the amount of regular maintenance, and even increase the number of applications the rainwater can be used for.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In rainwater harvesting, the best practice is to collect rainwater while not collecting debris that can get washed off from whatever surface the rain is being harvested from. In this Rain Tanks Series post, we will provide a brief overview of the components recommended for a successful rainwater harvesting system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rainwater Harvesting System Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In short, the components of a successful rainwater harvesting system will include a rain catchment surface, a conveyance system, a downspout screen leaf eater, a first flush diverter, a tank screen, a collection container<\/a>, overflow, bulkhead fitting, and a way to connect to the bulkhead to withdraw rainwater. Additional components may include a solar shield, tank screen cover, water pump, and\/or a water treatment system. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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At first, this may sound like a lot of required or recommended components, but most catchment surfaces (e.g., roofs) include a conveyance system, (e.g., gutters, downspouts, piping), or one that can be easily modified. Also, most rainwater collection containers come standard with a tank screen, overflow, and bulkhead fitting. This leaves a downspout screen<\/a>, a first flush<\/a>, a means to withdraw rainwater, such as a hose, water pump<\/a>, or spigot, and any additional components, such as a water treatment system<\/a>, to be added as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following sections of this post will consider the overall rainwater harvesting path, equipment, their install location and function. We will look into this in more detail for a better, overall insight into the components of a successful rainwater harvesting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Clouds to Harvest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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To provide a layout of rainwater harvesting components, their function and placement, we will first consider the general path all rainfall takes from the clouds to harvest to use. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rain (a) falls from the sky as precipitation, (b) lands on a catchment surface, (c) flows from the surface to a conveyance system that (d) directs the rainwater to a collection container where (e) the water can be stored until withdrawn for use. As the rainwater is withdrawn for use it may then travel through pipes, hoses, or be simply released from a spigot valve into a watering can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As rain falls, the water can pick up dirt, dust, and any potential chemical gasses in the air. As the rain falls on a catchment surface, the water will rinse the surface and can pick up debris such as sticks, leaves, other plant matter, moss, mold, parts of dead animals and insects, and can wash up material that dissolves in water such as animal feces, sediment, or chemicals that may be on the catchment surface.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Example of Roof Debris<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

By this point in the rainwater harvesting path, rainwater can be fairly dirty and\/or contaminated to a point unfit for drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we are using the term “dirty” to mean rainwater with unwanted debris and “contaminated” to mean rainwater with bacteria that could make you sick if drank. Dirty rainwater is simply undesirable and perhaps visually unpleasant, can cause clogs and lead to odors as debris begins to decompose over time. Contaminated rainwater is primarily the result of animal droppings and typically only a concern if the water is to be used as a potable water source and consumed in some way. For more on this, see our Rain Tanks Series | Why Should I Not Drink Rainwater (Before Treating It)?<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

From the catchment surface, the rainwater will flow through a conveyance system and to the collection container for storage. From storage, the rainwater can be withdrawn from a bulkhead fitting outlet using any compatible hose, pipe, valve, or adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Catchment to Conveyance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In the catchment area to conveyance system part of the rainwater harvesting path, there are not any additional components that can be added to improve the quality of water collected. However, it is at this point of the rainwater path that the water becomes the dirtiest and should be cleaned.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cleaning the rainwater, removing debris, and improving the catchment area will provide better quality rainwater for applications and reduce the amount of regular maintenance the overall system will require. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Options to improve the catchment area include: (1) use a preferred catchment area material type such as metal, (2) have the catchment area cleaned regularly of growing moss, (3) keep gutters clean of debris, and (4) ensure gutters are properly installed to prevent standing water and water loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Use Preferred Materials for Catchment Area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Regularly Clean Roof of Moss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Keep Gutters Free of Debris<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ensure Gutters are Properly Installed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

From Conveyance to Collection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Between the conveyance system and the collection container is the main location to add accessories to clean out debris and some potential contaminants while harvesting rainwater. From conveyance to collection is the space from the roof to the rain tank and refers to gutters, downspouts or pipes. Rainwater harvesting components that can be installed and added on at this section include gutter guards, downspout screens, and first flush diverters. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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