Rafi Chowdhury

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Apart from giving a refreshing and cozy feel to every home, rain showers also give homeowners with sufficient rainwater supply that, later on, can be recycled for home and garden needs, given that you know the process on how to harvest rainwater. If, on the other hand, you have no clue how and you want to know, first you must understand the proper and accurate way to set up your complete system for harvesting rainwater and mistakes that you should avoid to spare yourself from all costs.

Also Read: 10 Effective Ways of Planting Vegetables on Your Own Backyard

This article will teach you how. So, if you’re ready, then let’s dive in.

Understanding the Basics of Rainwater Harvesting

This entire set up is likely similar to how most power plants or companies set up their piping and valve system. Everything needs to be properly installed for better system performance. High-quality industrial valves like the ones found at http://en.siovalve.com are used to maintain the integrity of the system.

For you to understand the concept of this system in simpler terms, below are three major steps you need to take note when harvesting rainwater.

Ensure you have containers to store your rainwater.

Regardless if you already have some sort of water container or you need to buy one, a water tank perhaps, it is vital that your water container is huge enough to store ample of rainwater supply, so as to avoid overflow as well. There are different large varieties of container available in the market, such as poly tanks, 50-gallon drums, and a lot more. However, the most recommended one is a water tank with grade poly for water preservation and safety.

Ensure that you have gutters placed on your roof.

The main purpose of this is for you to easily catch rainwater when it’s the rainy season or when it’s just simply raining. Otherwise, you will need to have someone install gutters for you or find ways to obtain rainwater from the roof. Also, it pays to know if your roof is feasible for harvesting rainwater or not.

Attach your water container to your rainwater system.

After, you need to connect the piping for the water to pass through from the harvesting system to the rainwater storage container. Also, it’s helpful if you add a bit of section of your pipe between the standard one and the water tank. So, in case there is some movement with the water tank, it won’t cause the piping system to leak.

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Benefits of Installing a Rainwater Harvesting System

Generally, harvesting rainwater is the act of collecting water from the rain coming from the roofs, gutters, yards, and areas where flood is mostly stored. Then, storing and water filtering is done to transform the collected rainwater suitable for human use or consumption. Moreover, below are other benefits of rainwater harvesting.

  • Considered to be safe compared to domestic main waters. Water from your main system is treated with several chemicals to destroy bacteria and other microorganisms that could be present.
  • Good for flood tackling. The effects of flooding can be reduced by having a rainwater harvesting system installed in your home. This is ideal, especially during intense rainfall. It can be quite difficult for your drains to cope with the dramatic amount of water leaking from the gutters or drains.
  • It is truly cost-effective. Installing a rainwater harvesting system can truly spare you from serious monetary costs. It only needs less cost when it comes to maintenance, and once you already have the system set up properly, you will only need to take note the reduction in terms of bills for your water.
  •  It can help save the environment. Saving the environment? Yes, it is possible. The entire rainwater collecting does not only save you from intense water bills, but it will also help you avoid the damage from the environment by means of having the rainwater shifted to your water container.
  • Hosepipe ban prevention. Of course, you don’t want to allow that all your hard work will go to waste because of a bummer hosepipe ban. Rainwater being stored from the container can be an ideal solution to avoid being red-flagged of water ban rule.

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Repurposing Rainwater

The system for rainwater harvesting can be attached to your place or any industrial plumbing system. It will then be further utilized for washing clothes and/or toilet water needs, which will surely help you big time in saving water. This will then create a significant decrease in your water bill.

Generally speaking, most systems for rainwater collection have a standard filter. This prevents debris and leaves from getting in the rainwater system. But, unless you install purification and filtration systems for your water, the amount of water you collect is definitely not safe for drinking. Moreover, you should also avoid using such water from bathing or showering purposes.

The water coming from the rain is supposed to be used as a repurposed substitute for water coming from the piping system. And that, it should only be used for flushing and cleaning the backyard. Making use of rainwater for garden or backyard watering will definitely save your backyard and garden during the hot season.

Conclusion

Rainwater harvesting system is such a useful and efficient system for homeowners to have for various water needs. Not only it serves multiple purposes, but it also provides them the advantage of maximizing their water use from recyclable rainwater without compromising their bill. An innovation that truly helps people and the environment.