Rain water harvesting system is a very good environment saving to recycle precious water to be used despite drinking. Many countries actually promote rain water harvesting, another method of harvesting rain is through the roof system.
The roof harvesting system in rain water harvesting system is a way whereby rain water is collected and harvested from the roof catchments, and then diverted and stored in rain barrels and tanks. This is one of a method used by people to harvest rain water. The main idea of catching rain water using the roof technique is because they are simple techniques to be implemented at minimum costs.
Benefits of Roof Harvesting System
The roof harvesting system in rain water harvesting system is beneficiary because firstly water demands are increasing every year due to global warming. This rain water harvesting system also reduces the run off of water which will choke storm drains, which could also results to floods. Thus by harvesting the rain thru roof system, water does not have to flow down to storm drains, and floods the roads.
It is also stated that rain water harvesting system with roof system also decrease ground water pollutions and indirectly increase the quality of ground water. Many people now also feel that this method of harvesting also decreases soil erosion, especially on hilly areas.
Advantages of The Roof Harvesting System
There are many advantages of using the roof harvesting system, firstly water collected through the rood system are better quality compared to other methods, the water collected tends to contain less minerals thus very suitable for watering of plants and our lawns. Secondly also this system is required very minimal costs to set up and relatively very easy to maintain. Not much is needed for the roof harvesting system, because most of the houses have a good gutter system, we are just using what are available. In costal areas, this method of rain harvesting is more encourage because rain water collected are better quality and when they are recharge to ground water, the salinity is reduced further and this helps us to maintain a better balance between fresh saline water. In island areas on the other hand, roof harvesting system provides good freshwater for domestic usage.
Tank Storage of Rain Water Collected
I feel and would suggest that the best way to store rain water collected from roof harvesting system is with the use of storage tank or rain barrels. It is best that the storage tanks not to ne located too close to any source of pollution like septic tanks, drainage as we fear that this water may sip up to our storage tank. It is also logical that the rain barrel or tanks to be located in lower ground so that water could be stored and filled in easily. We must also install an overflow pipe or diverter that will flow to appropriate non flooding areas. This is vital as sometimes our tanks are filled and we do not want an over flooding which will in long run damaged our foundation of the house. We must also ensure that the rain barrels are easily accessible for cleaning purposes. Although there are filter installed, once in awhile we need to wash the tank or barrel.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Rain Catcher | It’s All In The Filter
Rain catcher is a form of rain harvesting system, there are many types of rain catcher in the market today as people sees the importance of recycling free rain water for usage. An average American can safe a huge amount of water bills by rain harvesting.
The Filter
The most important thing in any rain barrel is the filtration unit. Without proper filter installed in your rain barrels system water collected are less valuable, it cannot be used for landscaping, laundry, toilet flushing and no portable water demands. If you do not have good filter installed debris will be plentiful and water will become smelly and such water is useless. The tag is “ It’s all about the filter”
There are many kinds of filters in the market, in finding a perfect filters there are a few aspects you need to take into consideration.
· How big is your pipe?
· The type of debris ? Am I looking for filters for big particles or fine debris.
· How easy to assemble?
· How often do I need to clean the filters?
The Types Of Filters
Rainus Filter
It is a squares filter and is installed in the lower section of the downpipe, It is small, very easy to be installed and relatively very reliable. It is also hassle free thus making cleaning easy. There are many section in the filter thus rainwater have to pass through several section before accumulated in the barrel. The upper of the Rainus Filter is has a baffle, where water is calmed in small volume, water will pass thru the sump lip and distributed evenly across the cascade which is where the first filter is located. This cascade will filter out big particles like leaves, and big debris. Below the cascade there lies the second filter. This filter will filter finer debris and can filter out particles the size of 550 microns. The advantage of this filter is that the big particles and debris is ejected out to the front making cleaning particularly easy.
Graf Universal external filter
This is an advance type of filter giving maximum filtration with maximum water quality yield. This is the expensive filter, thus making it very good, and guarantee 95% of water yield if used. Once fitted they are relatively low maintenance due to its special self cleaning technology. This is why this filter costs more. They are TUV safe and tested, it is also childproof as it is lockable.
I hope that by giving you two model to compare, you will know more about the rain catcher filter and you could use both as a comparison when you are choosing for a filter to be installed.
The Filter
The most important thing in any rain barrel is the filtration unit. Without proper filter installed in your rain barrels system water collected are less valuable, it cannot be used for landscaping, laundry, toilet flushing and no portable water demands. If you do not have good filter installed debris will be plentiful and water will become smelly and such water is useless. The tag is “ It’s all about the filter”
There are many kinds of filters in the market, in finding a perfect filters there are a few aspects you need to take into consideration.
· How big is your pipe?
· The type of debris ? Am I looking for filters for big particles or fine debris.
· How easy to assemble?
· How often do I need to clean the filters?
The Types Of Filters
Rainus Filter
It is a squares filter and is installed in the lower section of the downpipe, It is small, very easy to be installed and relatively very reliable. It is also hassle free thus making cleaning easy. There are many section in the filter thus rainwater have to pass through several section before accumulated in the barrel. The upper of the Rainus Filter is has a baffle, where water is calmed in small volume, water will pass thru the sump lip and distributed evenly across the cascade which is where the first filter is located. This cascade will filter out big particles like leaves, and big debris. Below the cascade there lies the second filter. This filter will filter finer debris and can filter out particles the size of 550 microns. The advantage of this filter is that the big particles and debris is ejected out to the front making cleaning particularly easy.
Graf Universal external filter
This is an advance type of filter giving maximum filtration with maximum water quality yield. This is the expensive filter, thus making it very good, and guarantee 95% of water yield if used. Once fitted they are relatively low maintenance due to its special self cleaning technology. This is why this filter costs more. They are TUV safe and tested, it is also childproof as it is lockable.
I hope that by giving you two model to compare, you will know more about the rain catcher filter and you could use both as a comparison when you are choosing for a filter to be installed.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Rain Barrel Diverter | Rain Spout Diverter Unit
A rain water diverter is a simple gadget that is installed to ensure that when your rain barrel is full, no more water is channel to the rain barrel and this small gadget will stop water and channel water back to the old gutter system. This rain barrel diverter is a must as imagine the damaged you will have to boar of overflowing of water will create big problem and damaged to your foundation of the house.
The Y Down Spout Rain Barrel Diverter
This is the most common and best diverter unit, it is relatively simple and works wonders.
This is how a Y down rain barrel diverter looks like, very simply designed and could be easily available in the market. There are two sizes, the 2’ x 3’ and the 3’ x 4’, you buy what suits your gutter system. You can see that the diverter is Y shaped and the idea is that you can switch if off when your rain barrels are full and the gutter system and water will flow to the drainage instead.
There are many kinds of rain barrel diverter in the market and I am just highlighting to people on the importance of having this unit to prevent damages.
The Flaws Of Rain Barrel Diverters
There is no perfect products in the market, although I said that is advisable to have a rain barrel diverter installed, the limitation which I have come to see are that firstly there are two flaps attached to the rain barrel diverter (as above), so many people do argue that if you are serious about harvesting rain water, why do you need a rain barrel diverter, just add another tank or rain barrel. People argue that it defies the reasons, if one is serious in rain harvesting why are we diverting water back to our drainage?
Secondly, they are ugly. Most rain barrel diverter has many hoses and pipes attached to the downspout thus imagine having many attachments in front of your houses. Although many manufacturers are trying to limit the number of downspout now but they could still be easily seen from a distance because of their sizes.
So again, you might have to weigh the above pros and cons of rain barrel diverter and decide on yourself on whether or not to have one installed in your rain harvesting system.
The Y Down Spout Rain Barrel Diverter
This is the most common and best diverter unit, it is relatively simple and works wonders.
This is how a Y down rain barrel diverter looks like, very simply designed and could be easily available in the market. There are two sizes, the 2’ x 3’ and the 3’ x 4’, you buy what suits your gutter system. You can see that the diverter is Y shaped and the idea is that you can switch if off when your rain barrels are full and the gutter system and water will flow to the drainage instead.
There are many kinds of rain barrel diverter in the market and I am just highlighting to people on the importance of having this unit to prevent damages.
The Flaws Of Rain Barrel Diverters
There is no perfect products in the market, although I said that is advisable to have a rain barrel diverter installed, the limitation which I have come to see are that firstly there are two flaps attached to the rain barrel diverter (as above), so many people do argue that if you are serious about harvesting rain water, why do you need a rain barrel diverter, just add another tank or rain barrel. People argue that it defies the reasons, if one is serious in rain harvesting why are we diverting water back to our drainage?
Secondly, they are ugly. Most rain barrel diverter has many hoses and pipes attached to the downspout thus imagine having many attachments in front of your houses. Although many manufacturers are trying to limit the number of downspout now but they could still be easily seen from a distance because of their sizes.
So again, you might have to weigh the above pros and cons of rain barrel diverter and decide on yourself on whether or not to have one installed in your rain harvesting system.
Rain water harvesting system
Many countries see the importance of rain water and many are promoting and educating its people on how to harvest precious rain water that will go to waste. Although water is cheap to most countries, but imagine if you have a good system of harvesting rain water, and averagely saving 14,000 gallons of water yearly, how much will you save long term in Rain water harvesting system is long term investment, you just have to create a system that works for you and that system will run for long term. You must always remember, water is not god given. It is a form of resources and like all resources in the world, it will deplete and we must treat this precious resource with respect and not abuse it.
A Simple Rain Water Harvesting System
Many people have the misunderstanding that rain water harvesting system are expensive to set up and installed. This is relatively not true, yes some complicated system are costly, but you do not have to invest in those expensive system unless you want. I always tell people to start with a simple system, and if you like it gradually and slowly modifies it. It is as simple as that. I am going to talk on a simple rain water harvesting system here.
The simplest rain water harvesting system is by using rain barrels that will costs you around $90 to $120 depending on the sizes. You can view my other blog for this. Here we are going to talk about a more extensive system a step above using rain barrels. There are (4) steps in a rain water harvesting system, the first step is capturing, then conveyance, storing the rain water and lastly the distribution.
Capturing Rain Water
All rain water harvesting system catches the rain water using the roof, common sense will tell you that a slop roof system captures rain water better than flat roof. Water from the roof are channel to the gutter and usually there are (4) points of collection channels. The most important aspect to ensuring a good capturing system is clearing all debris ensuring that rain water collected are free from debris. A relatively simple way is installing a screen to the channels to capture large debris from entering. You can buy screen in any convenient store and what I usually buy is the typical traditional big window screen. This will ensure that particles will not enter and you do not have to clean that so regularly. If you buy fine screen, you sometimes have to clean the screen frequently to prevent blockage. By having a screen to capture large particles, water harvested are free from debris, this does not mean you do not have to clean the tank, in which you still need to do but in a yearly basis.
Conveyance
The second step is rain water harvesting system is the conveyance, it means getting the rain water from the roof to the tank. A simple way of doing this is to place the tank directly under the canal. This cut the rain water traveling time to very short thus it is very cheap. Most people choose to bury a tank, a good conveyance system consists of underground piping that moves the water from canal to the tank. We must fully use nature law of gravity and water pressure. Both will push the water from the canal to the pipe and to the tank. Most material I used in my simple rain water harvesting system is easily available in our convenience store. In this we use the 4 inch black flex pipe.
Storing of Precious Water Collected
The third stem is storing of our rain water, the most basis and cheapest way is using the plastic polypropylene tanks. They are easily available and cheap storing system. There are many sizes available thus you will need to choose one that will suits you nicely. In my opinion, a good size of tank is 1700 gallon tank which will take up around 10’ x 20’ space (small compare to the price you would be paying in water bills). You can start with this and you can upgrade it by adding more tanks later. You can be amaze that this small tank would help you water your lawn for one month during draught.
Distribution.
This is the last step for the whole rain water harvesting system and also the most costly to be implemented. In this last step, we need to purchase a pump to pump out water collected. The cheapest will be to invest in a ½ horse power pump, the pump must be submersible and have a float. This pump will be hooked to the places where you want the water to be channel, mostly the sprinkler system or an outdoor water faucet. In purchasing a pump. Also makes sure that the pump you purchased have an auto shut-off, this is very important to prevent burning off when there is no water to pump.
So from here you can see that it is relatively very simple to harvest water and all can be done by you without having to bring in experts. I do hope that this will give you a very basic idea of rain water harvesting system so that you could help mother earth to conserve and recycle water.
A Simple Rain Water Harvesting System
Many people have the misunderstanding that rain water harvesting system are expensive to set up and installed. This is relatively not true, yes some complicated system are costly, but you do not have to invest in those expensive system unless you want. I always tell people to start with a simple system, and if you like it gradually and slowly modifies it. It is as simple as that. I am going to talk on a simple rain water harvesting system here.
The simplest rain water harvesting system is by using rain barrels that will costs you around $90 to $120 depending on the sizes. You can view my other blog for this. Here we are going to talk about a more extensive system a step above using rain barrels. There are (4) steps in a rain water harvesting system, the first step is capturing, then conveyance, storing the rain water and lastly the distribution.
Capturing Rain Water
All rain water harvesting system catches the rain water using the roof, common sense will tell you that a slop roof system captures rain water better than flat roof. Water from the roof are channel to the gutter and usually there are (4) points of collection channels. The most important aspect to ensuring a good capturing system is clearing all debris ensuring that rain water collected are free from debris. A relatively simple way is installing a screen to the channels to capture large debris from entering. You can buy screen in any convenient store and what I usually buy is the typical traditional big window screen. This will ensure that particles will not enter and you do not have to clean that so regularly. If you buy fine screen, you sometimes have to clean the screen frequently to prevent blockage. By having a screen to capture large particles, water harvested are free from debris, this does not mean you do not have to clean the tank, in which you still need to do but in a yearly basis.
Conveyance
The second step is rain water harvesting system is the conveyance, it means getting the rain water from the roof to the tank. A simple way of doing this is to place the tank directly under the canal. This cut the rain water traveling time to very short thus it is very cheap. Most people choose to bury a tank, a good conveyance system consists of underground piping that moves the water from canal to the tank. We must fully use nature law of gravity and water pressure. Both will push the water from the canal to the pipe and to the tank. Most material I used in my simple rain water harvesting system is easily available in our convenience store. In this we use the 4 inch black flex pipe.
Storing of Precious Water Collected
The third stem is storing of our rain water, the most basis and cheapest way is using the plastic polypropylene tanks. They are easily available and cheap storing system. There are many sizes available thus you will need to choose one that will suits you nicely. In my opinion, a good size of tank is 1700 gallon tank which will take up around 10’ x 20’ space (small compare to the price you would be paying in water bills). You can start with this and you can upgrade it by adding more tanks later. You can be amaze that this small tank would help you water your lawn for one month during draught.
Distribution.
This is the last step for the whole rain water harvesting system and also the most costly to be implemented. In this last step, we need to purchase a pump to pump out water collected. The cheapest will be to invest in a ½ horse power pump, the pump must be submersible and have a float. This pump will be hooked to the places where you want the water to be channel, mostly the sprinkler system or an outdoor water faucet. In purchasing a pump. Also makes sure that the pump you purchased have an auto shut-off, this is very important to prevent burning off when there is no water to pump.
So from here you can see that it is relatively very simple to harvest water and all can be done by you without having to bring in experts. I do hope that this will give you a very basic idea of rain water harvesting system so that you could help mother earth to conserve and recycle water.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Rain Barrels For Sale
Rain barrels primarily function is to collect and harvest precious rain water to be used. A good system of rain barrels wills safe a household thousand of dollars. So what do we look for when we want to find the perfect rain barrels for sale. Rain barrels can costs as little as $5 and to more than $100 depending on its material and types. A small plastic container may costs around $5 in a garage sale.
Rain Barrels For Sale Different Sizes Of Rain Barrels For Sale
60 Gallons Plastic
This is the usual average size of rain barrels that are for sale in the market. These are the economical version, usually made up of high density plastics. They are very save, ideal and good system to collect rain water. This model of rain barrels comes fitted with spigots, brass pots, standard male garden hose and a stainless steel cover and a screen preventing debris from dropping in. The cost of this average model is below $100.00.
80 Gallons Plastic
This is the larger version of the above model, made from high density plastic. The different of them are just the size and usually they come with UV Protection or resistance. This 80 gallon version are slightly more expensive and sells in the market for around $120.00
160 Gallons Of Terracotta Rain Barrels With Planter
This model is gaining its popularity, it’s because on the nice design and made from terracotta. Amphora sells this terracotta rain barrels. They hold 160 gallons and it looks like a vase design. Like I said they are made from terracotta clay and the best features of this model that makes it sellable is it has a small integrated vase plant bowl on top acting as the cap. You can plant small plants for decorative purposes. Rain water is collected from the gutter and channel to the rain barrel with a small pipe. They are also UV resistance and have a ¾” internal thread making it relatively easy to mount on to the hose. They are heavier compare to the plastic version thus making them wind resistance.
60 Gallons Wine Weathered Rain Barrels
Another type of rain barrels for sale in the market is the wine barrel type, the look like weathered old wine barrels. Usually they come in the 60 gallons size and mode from wood. They look much prettier thus popular especially as a decorative item at their lawn. Like any rain barrels, they comes with the standard fittings like bib hose, overflow elbow, screens and adaptor. As they are the wind barrels and made from wood, they are relatively heavy compare to other types thus making shipments costs more expensive compare to other models.
There are many other types of Rain barrels for Sale in the market, but the above are the standard and most sorts after type people look for.
Rain Barrels For Sale Different Sizes Of Rain Barrels For Sale
60 Gallons Plastic
This is the usual average size of rain barrels that are for sale in the market. These are the economical version, usually made up of high density plastics. They are very save, ideal and good system to collect rain water. This model of rain barrels comes fitted with spigots, brass pots, standard male garden hose and a stainless steel cover and a screen preventing debris from dropping in. The cost of this average model is below $100.00.
80 Gallons Plastic
This is the larger version of the above model, made from high density plastic. The different of them are just the size and usually they come with UV Protection or resistance. This 80 gallon version are slightly more expensive and sells in the market for around $120.00
160 Gallons Of Terracotta Rain Barrels With Planter
This model is gaining its popularity, it’s because on the nice design and made from terracotta. Amphora sells this terracotta rain barrels. They hold 160 gallons and it looks like a vase design. Like I said they are made from terracotta clay and the best features of this model that makes it sellable is it has a small integrated vase plant bowl on top acting as the cap. You can plant small plants for decorative purposes. Rain water is collected from the gutter and channel to the rain barrel with a small pipe. They are also UV resistance and have a ¾” internal thread making it relatively easy to mount on to the hose. They are heavier compare to the plastic version thus making them wind resistance.
60 Gallons Wine Weathered Rain Barrels
Another type of rain barrels for sale in the market is the wine barrel type, the look like weathered old wine barrels. Usually they come in the 60 gallons size and mode from wood. They look much prettier thus popular especially as a decorative item at their lawn. Like any rain barrels, they comes with the standard fittings like bib hose, overflow elbow, screens and adaptor. As they are the wind barrels and made from wood, they are relatively heavy compare to other types thus making shipments costs more expensive compare to other models.
There are many other types of Rain barrels for Sale in the market, but the above are the standard and most sorts after type people look for.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
rain barrels
Rain Barrels
What are Rain Barrels?
Water is gold so we need to conserve and harvest rain. The best way of doing this is by installing a rain barrel system. Rain barrels are simple barrels storage to collect rain waters. They are usually installed and rain water are collected from the roof gutter, and they are flowed to the barrel. It is relatively a very simple system that benefits people as if one does not collect the rain water, they are left to waste to the drainage. The standard size rain barrel are the 55 gallons of vinyl material drums. In it there is a screen to keep debris and insects out so water collected are clean from debris. Usually a pipe is installed in the roof gutter to direct the water to the rain barrel.
Why do we need to store water, the advantages of rain barrel.
Most of us have lawns, do you know that during summer 40% of our water bills are to water our lawns. The main reason we need this simple storage system is to collect rain waters for us to use for other purposes so that we could use our pipe water for something more important. The water collected from rain barrel provide us with free soft water for us to water our lawn, wash our cars and just to fill up our swimming pools. In any normal household, if we install this relatively simple system, we could actually save up to 1300 gallons of water a day. Imagine this huge supply of water, that you safe that could help many more people especially during draught seasons.
There are many more ways to use soft waters collected in our rain barrels if we are creative, you can use the water as stated above but I have also use rain water collected in my rain barrels for toilet flushing system. Its funny that being in the 21 century now, we goes back to what our ancestors are doing, that is fetching water to flush toilets. But to think of it, why not, the are water that are going to be wasted after all and its good exercise.
Collecting rain water in rain barrels also help us conserve the earth. With so much pollution now we need many environmental friendly products or ways to curb us from worsening the problem. Water is the most efficient solvent to us like wind and air so water can be the main solvent to curb pollution.
What are Rain Barrels?
Water is gold so we need to conserve and harvest rain. The best way of doing this is by installing a rain barrel system. Rain barrels are simple barrels storage to collect rain waters. They are usually installed and rain water are collected from the roof gutter, and they are flowed to the barrel. It is relatively a very simple system that benefits people as if one does not collect the rain water, they are left to waste to the drainage. The standard size rain barrel are the 55 gallons of vinyl material drums. In it there is a screen to keep debris and insects out so water collected are clean from debris. Usually a pipe is installed in the roof gutter to direct the water to the rain barrel.
Why do we need to store water, the advantages of rain barrel.
Most of us have lawns, do you know that during summer 40% of our water bills are to water our lawns. The main reason we need this simple storage system is to collect rain waters for us to use for other purposes so that we could use our pipe water for something more important. The water collected from rain barrel provide us with free soft water for us to water our lawn, wash our cars and just to fill up our swimming pools. In any normal household, if we install this relatively simple system, we could actually save up to 1300 gallons of water a day. Imagine this huge supply of water, that you safe that could help many more people especially during draught seasons.
There are many more ways to use soft waters collected in our rain barrels if we are creative, you can use the water as stated above but I have also use rain water collected in my rain barrels for toilet flushing system. Its funny that being in the 21 century now, we goes back to what our ancestors are doing, that is fetching water to flush toilets. But to think of it, why not, the are water that are going to be wasted after all and its good exercise.
Collecting rain water in rain barrels also help us conserve the earth. With so much pollution now we need many environmental friendly products or ways to curb us from worsening the problem. Water is the most efficient solvent to us like wind and air so water can be the main solvent to curb pollution.
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