Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Residential and Commercial Applications

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The concept of capturing rainwater and storing it for later use is well documented from pre-Roman times and on all major continents. Rainwater Harvesting systems are a sustainable method of water collection that can be utilized effectively as a supplementary water supply without the construction of additional infrastructure. The ability to calculate the potential harvest of a given catchment area and then apply that water to the correct use (irrigation, toilet water, drinking water, etc.) will be an important part of construction in the 21st century around the world.

This presentation will seek to inform the audience as to the potential rewards and pitfalls of rainwater harvesting systems. It will specifically detail methods for designing high efficiency roof and conveyance systems, proper filtration for different treatment levels, pest prevention, sizing and selecting a storage tank, and proper pump/alarm systems. In addition this lecture will provide the basic tools necessary to calculate the effective harvest month by month for any application in relation to its climate, average rain/snowfall, catchment area/roof size and type, and other limiting factors. In addition it will go over the typical applications of rainwater and how to calculate estimated use of water for the application so as to provide a method for developing a cost/benefit analysis of rainwater harvesting for any given business or residence. Rainwater is practically a free, clean and quality source of water - the only cost is to collect and treat it. It can be used to help supplement a low producing well and storage of rainwater provides an emergency supply of water for fire protection, natural disasters, or loss of power. Most systems are flexible, adaptable, and easy to maintain as they can be retrofitted to an existing structure or designed and built during new home construction. In many cases, using collected rainwater will help decrease water and utility bills. It is a reliable water source to supplement costly irrigation. On top of everything else, collecting rainwater is socially acceptable and environmentally responsible.