Rain Water Harvesting
Is rainwater harvesting important? How does it help to save water?
Rain Water Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is a practice in which rainwater is collected and stored rather than letting it run off on the surface. Rainwater is generally collected on roof-like surfaces and then redirected to a safer place like a tank, cistern, etc. It is redirected so that it seeps down the surface and is restored along with the groundwater.
Rainwater harvesting is one of the oldest methods that has been adopted by people to store water and then reuse it for household purposes. It is like a self-supply of water. As we know that rainwater is the purest form of water, it can be stored and used as such, but for safety purposes, many people tend to use that water only after a certain process. That water undergoes many filtration techniques and is then used by people. This water is used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, irrigation, and maybe an initiative by people to replenish the groundwater levels.
Many industries follow rainwater harvesting. Frankfurt Airport has the biggest system installed in Germany. They save nearly 1 million cubic centimeters of water per year. The system collects water from the roof that covers an area of 26,800 square meters. The water is collected in the basement of the airport. The airport has six water tanks installed in the basement where the rainwater finally gets stored. This water is then brought to used by them for various purposes like watering plants, cleaning their air conditioner systems, etc.
People know the value of water and therefore try to save by taking all possible measures. Rainwater harvesting is one of the oldest techniques that is followed by people to be self-sufficient. These days, schools, colleges, and many industries have also started to harvest the rainwater and use it wisely. They also save money by doing this.
– Written by Tanya Bajaj
RAINWATER HARVESTING
Rainwater harvesting is a technique or procedure for collecting, purifying, storing, and utilizing rainwater for irrigation and other uses.
Rainwater has the advantage of being devoid of pollutants, salts, minerals, and other natural and man-made impurities. In regions where rain is abundant, the extra precipitation can be used to replenish groundwater using artificial recharge techniques.
1) Easy to use: The use of a rainwater collecting system has several advantages for the community. To begin with, rainwater collection helps us to make better use of an energy resource. It is critical to do so since drinking water is not easily renewable, and it aids in waste reduction. Rainwater collection systems are based on straightforward technology.
Installation and operating costs are significantly lower than those of water purification or pumping systems. Maintenance takes very little time and effort. The result is a collection of water that may be utilized for a variety of purposes, even without being purified.
2) Reduces water bills: Rainwater collected in a rainwater harvesting system may be used for a variety of non-drinking purposes. Many homes and small businesses will see a significant decrease in their utility bills as a result of this. On a large scale, rainwater collection may provide the necessary amounts of water for multiple businesses to run smoothly without depleting local water supplies.
It also reduces the impact of soil erosion in a variety of regions, allowing the land to reclaim its former glory. It may be kept in cisterns for use when water supplies are scarce.
3) Suitable for irrigation – As a result, there is no need for additional infrastructure to support the rainwater collection system. The majority of rooftops serve as a usable catchment area that may be connected to the harvesting system. Rainwater is devoid of many of the toxins present in groundwater, making it ideal for irrigation and plant watering.
4) Reduces floods and soil erosion- Rainwater is collected in massive storage tanks during the rainy season, which helps to reduce flooding in some low-lying locations. It also aids in the reduction of soil erosion and the pollution of surface water with chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers caused by rainwater run-off, resulting in cleaner lakes and ponds.
DISADVANTAGES
1) Initial cost – Depending on the size and sophistication of the system. The cost can be repaid over time, similar to solar panels, depending on the quantity of rainfall and the intricacy of the system.
2) Storage Limits – You may be limited in how much rainwater you may utilize, depending on the collecting and storage facilities.
3) Unpredictable rainfall – Rainfall is difficult to anticipate, and in some cases, a lack of rainfall might limit the amount of rainwater available. A well-designed system will guarantee that you get the most out of it, and it should also have a “mains water” backup in case you run out of water.
– Written By Mahima
What is Rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is the straightforward interaction or innovation used to save Rainwater by gathering, storing, passing on, and cleaning Rainwater that runs off from rooftops, parks, streets, open grounds, and so on for some time in the future.
How to Harvest the Rainwater?
Rainwater harvesting frameworks comprise of the accompanying parts:
• Catchment- Used to gather and store the caught Rainwater.
• Conveyance framework – It is utilized to ship the reaped water from the catchment to the re-energized zone.
• Flush-It is utilized to flush out the principal spell of a downpour.
• Filter – Used for separating the gathered Rainwater and eliminating toxins.
• Tanks and the re-energize structures: Used to store the sifted water, which is prepared to be utilized.
The interaction of rainwater harvesting includes the assortment and capacity of rainwater with the assistance of improperly planned frameworks that run off natural or man-made catchment regions like the rooftop, compounds, rock surface, slope slants, fixed impermeable or semi-pervious land surface.
A few components assume an essential part in the amount of water reaped or harvested. A portion of these elements is:
• The quantum of spillover
• Features of the catchments
• Impact on the climate
• Availability of the innovation
• The limit of the capacity tanks
• Types of the rooftop, its slant, and its materials
• The recurrence, amount, and nature of the precipitation
• The speed and straightforwardness with which the Rainwater enters the earth to re-energize the groundwater.
For what reason do we Harvest Rainwater?
The rainwater harvesting framework is perhaps the best technique rehearsed and followed to help the protection of water. Today, the shortage of good quality water has become a critical reason for concern. Notwithstanding, Rainwater, which is unadulterated and of good quality, can be utilized for the water systems, washing, cleaning, washing, cooking, and furthermore for other domesticated animals’ necessities.
Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting
The advantages of the rainwater harvesting technique are mentioned below:-
• Low expenses.
• Helps in lessening the water bill.
• Decreases the interest in water.
• Reduces the requirement for imported water.
• Promotes both water and energy protection.
• Improves the quality and amount of groundwater.
• Does not need a filtration framework for the scene water system.
• This innovation is generally basic, simple to introduce, and works.
• It decreases soil disintegration, stormwater overflow, flooding, and contamination of surface water with composts, pesticides, metals, and different residues.
• It is an astounding wellspring of water for landscape irrigation without any synthetics and broke from salts and liberated from minerals.
– Written By Nehal Rathi
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