1. Why harvest rainwater?
Rainwater can supplement limited ground water resources. Well water extraction rates are reducing and the quality of many wells is falling below safe requirements. In arid regions, rainwater may be the only viable source of water available. For those who wish to be completely independent or “off the grid”, rainwater harvesting offers the only solution independent of all utilities.
Storm water mitigation issues are of constant concern, especially in the “hilly” Midwest. Regulations are getting tougher and the cost of building new and maintaining existing storm water facilities is ever increasing. As regulation moves toward individual owner responsibility, rain water harvesting brings the simplest and cost effective method of storm water management.
2. What is the quality of harvested rain water?
There are a number of other factors that will affect the quality of rain water once it reaches the roof or catchment surface. The atmosphere can add impurities but most contamination comes from the catchment surface and conveyance components. See our design page for a discussion of roof surfaces, conveyance components and inlet filtration recommendations.
3. What are the uses for harvested rain water?
5. How much water can I harvest?
Example: 1″ of rain on a 2,000 square foot roof: 1(.5) x 2,000 = 1,000 gallons.
The total captured water for any location over a period of time is dependent on the actual rainfall experienced during the period. Rainfall regularity will also play a part in determining the most efficient and effective storage capacity for a specific site.
6. Can I design and install my own rain water harvesting system?
Large systems and especially those with the potential for significant water flow should be designed by a professional. Water is very heavy and moving water can be very dangerous. The engineering demands of large scale systems (whole house or commercial) reach into the areas of structural considerations, safe water flow dynamics, proper component selection, construction practices, excavation practices, etc. Please consult with our design professionals before attempting a large scale system design.
Installation will tend to follow the same guidelines as the design discussion. Small, simple systems can easily be installed by someone with minimal mechanical understanding and simple hand tools. Larger systems usually require specialized tools and mechanical knowledge. Professional training is required for many of the disciplines necessary for large system installation. Rainwater Harvesting Supply Company can provide names of qualified installers depending on the design and installation parameters.
7. What are the long term maintenance implications?
In-ground systems are usually placed below frost levels and typically will not require any special effort for winterization. As long as filters remain clean and the overflow remains unobstructed, little maintenance is required. One should always keep constant observance of water quality.
If the system is complex and incorporates pumps, float switches or a control system, these should be monitored and tested periodically. This is usually done by a professional, but site specific maintenance instructions allow for owner monitoring.
Most rain water harvesting components are built very well and should provide many years of trouble free operation if properly installed. This applies even in complex pump and control system featured systems. Maintenance costs are typically insignificant in comparison to the advantages of rain water harvesting.