Rain
chains & rain barrels are smart ways to conserve water & save energy.
Learn
more about their benefits and installation.
a Harvesting
Rainwater..!
Rainwater
collecting or / harvesting is economically & environmentally beneficial
for owners of commercial or / residential property. Rainwater harvesting is
the collection of rainwater directly from the surface it falls on, according to
Harvesting Rainwater for Domestic Uses:
An
Information Guide, a report by the Environment Agency. Rainwater harvesting is
an ideal solution to our interminable need to conserve natural resources as
demand continues to rise. According to the Environment Agency, harvesting
rainwater has the following benefits:
 |
| J. Mariah Brown |
a Reduced demand for available resources.
a Reduced risk of pollution, as less rainwater is discharged to
drains and sewers, and ultimately, to rivers.
“Environmentally harvesting rainwater
significantly contributes to a decrease in pollution of storm water and keeping
our waterways clean by slowing down surface runoff,” according to Kim Usry,
ARCSA, AP, owner of H2o Collect in Richmond, Virginia.
a
Reduced water bills. About 37 % of domestic property owners & nearly all
industrial and commercial property owners will experience a notable decrease in
water cost. “Irrigation is one of our most costly water expenses. Using
harvested water for irrigation alone could save a home a lot of money,” Usry
explained.
a
Reduced risk of flooding and damage. Excessive rainwater is often the cause of
flooded sewers, leaky basements, and eroded foundations.
a Harvesting rainwater helps safeguard homes and
commercial properties from the aforementioned expensive issues.
aRainwater
does not contain the chemicals that are typically present in municipal water,
which makes it ideal for landscaping.
a Harvesting
rainwater also allows property owners to freely use collected water without
regulation.
a In
times of drought and water restriction, harvested water will save your landscape,
gardens, ponds, and pools [by] avoiding the more and more common municipal
water regulations and fees,” according to Usry.
In addition to exterior use,
rainwater is also ideal for interior use as well, because it is low in minerals.
Additional uses for harvested rainwater are as follows:
a
Hair washing
a
Dishwashing
aCar
washing
a
Laundry
a
Toilet flushing
Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Although rainwater
harvesting systems run the gamut from simple to elaborate designs, harvesting
rainwater is a fairly simple process. Water harvesting systems can be created
when rain chains are used to direct water into a designated location or
storage devices. Rain chains are commonly used in conjunction with rain barrels
or other water harvesting systems, according to Usry.
“Terminating the flow into a
large planter, rock garden, or basin is commonly seen,” Usry said. Rain chains,
which are alternatives to traditional downspouts, help direct water away from
residential & commercial structures. Originating in Japan, rain chains have
been used for hundreds of years to direct water away from and to desired
locations while providing an aesthetically pleasing view and soothing atmosphere,
according to Usry.
“Rain
barrels, tanks, and cisterns serve as storage devices for collected water,”
Usry said.
“The
barrels come in many shapes and sizes from the homemade recycled pickle barrel
to urns with plants on top. Larger tanks and cisterns are available in a wide
range of sizes and may be above or below ground. Aesthetically, there is a
style and a system for every taste. End usage determines the type of system you
would install – whether it is for potable or non-potable use,” Usry said.
Is a Rainwater Harvesting
System Right for You..?
The
cost of rainwater harvesting systems can vary tremendously, depending on the
scale and complexity of the system, according to Usry.
“Rain
[barrels] are the least expensive entry into rainwater harvesting” Usry said.
“A
complete home system could run between $ 3,000 and $ 13,000, with the storage
tank being the highest cost.”
The
cost per gallon ranges from approximately $.05 for fiber glass tanks to $ 4 or
/ more for welded steel tanks, according
to Usry.
Prior
to installation, property owners should evaluate how much water the system may
be able to collect to determine whether the investment is worthwhile.
This equation from the
Environment Agency can be used to estimate the amount of water that may be
collected:
Annual rainfall (mm) x
effective collection area (m2) x drainage coefficient (%) x filter efficiency
(%) x 0.05
“Effective collection area”
refers to the surface where the rainwater will land prior to drainage and storage.
For example, although a rain chain may be positioned to collect water from the
roof, its effective collection area may only be half of the roof. “Drainage
coefficient,” also known as “run-off factor,” is used to account for factors
that affect the amount of rainwater that is collected, such as runoff and
evaporation.
Last, “filter efficiency”
refers to the filter’s ability to transport the collected rainwater into the
designated storage device or location. If the filter efficiency value is not
provided by the manufacturer, the Environment Agency suggests using 0.9, which
reflects 90% efficiency of standard collection systems.
Rain chains are fairly easy
to install, but Usry warns about the possible dangers of tackling high
installations without assistance. Depending on the complexity of the water
harvesting system, Usry suggests contacting an excavator, plumber, roofer, or
electrician, if applicable.
Drainage
coefficients, provided by the Environment Agency, are in the following table:
Roof
Type
|
Drainage
Coefficient
|
Pitched
Roof
|
0.9
|
Pitched
Roof with Tiles
|
0.8
|
Flat
Roof with Gravel Layer
|
0.8
|
About J. Mariah Brown
J. Mariah Brown is a technical research writer and the owner of Writings by Design, a comprehensive business writing service company that specializes in business development, promotion, and client outreach. She has worked in a variety of technical and non-technical industries including, but not limited to, Government, Non-Profit, Engineering, Translation and Interpretation, Christian and Women’s Publications, and Fashion and Beauty. She is a graduate of the prestigious E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and is currently pursuing a master's degree from Gonzaga University in Communication and Organizational Leadership.
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