Rainwater Harvesting Owen Edgerton September 25, 2006

History Developed independently across the continents India 1000BC simple stone structures for harvesting rainwater China Loess plateau ~ 0AD Rainwater wells and Jars. http://www.irpaa.org.br/colheita/02.htm#1

Types of RWH Systems Source: www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheets-htm/drh.htm

Rooftop Collection System System components Collection Surface Thatched; Corrugated iron. Gutters Bamboo; Aluminum Down pipe Reservoir Source: www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheets-htm/drh.htm

Gutters Source: www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheets-htm/drh.htm

Reservoir Two types Materials: Surface Sub-Surface Materials: Metal, plastic, fiberglass, brick, compressed soil (rubble-stone blocks), ferro-cement and concrete wood, bamboo and basket weaves as alternatives have had variable rates of success. Usually the most expensive part of the system Tank Sizing 1 – 40m3 Residential >100m3 Commercial

RWH Safety Unpainted and uncoated surface areas Thatched Rooftops Timber treated with chemicals to prevent rotting should never come into contact with drinking water. Thatched Rooftops Coconut and Anahaw palms with tight thatching are best Rodent infestation Insect-proofing First Flush system

First flush and Filters Screen

Consumption Statistics Per Capita (1990) - 183 gal/d http://www.epa.gov/water/you/chap1.html

Benefits of RWH 3rd World Southwestern United States 20 liters Food security Income Generation Southwestern United States Sumida City, Japan Reduces extensive runoff Reduces energy use Fiji limited freshwater resource http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/1ds-4/sahara-desert-sand-dune.jpg

Designing a RWH System Rainfall Collection surface area Storage volume Quantity Pattern Collection surface area Storage volume Consumption Cost Management Advanced System Components Average rainfall for Biharamulo District, Tanzania http://www.eng.warwick.ac.uk/DTU/rwh/styles.html

Additional Information http://www.rainharvesting.com.au/ http://www.rainwaterglossary.com/ http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/ http://www.unep.org/dams/documents/ell.asp?story_id=3

Mayan - 10th Century AD

http://www. metrocouncil http://www.metrocouncil.org/Environment/Watershed/BMP/CH3_RPPSedCheckdam.pdf#search=%22check%20dams%22

Complete System Collection Area Gutter Mesh Gutter Outlets Rain Heads First Flow Tank Screen Water Tank Insect Proofing Tank Top Pump http://www.rainharvesting.com.au/create_a_complete_system.asp