Rainwater Recovery
Rainwater recovery, also known as rainwater harvesting, is a means of building a system to collect rainwater from runoff points such as roofs and collecting it in cisterns. There are two different types of cisterns used for collection: above ground and below ground. Since rainwater is free, the only costs are the cost of building and maintaining your collection system. Does this Spark an idea?
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History of Rain Water Recovery
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Archaeologists have dated rainwater collection to ancient cultures in Crete, Egypt, Rome and Constantinople. In ancient times, large megalithic structures were built to collect rainwater and carry it throughout cities. In many cases rainwater harvesting was a necessity due to growing populations. Harvesting continued until technology advanced water supply methods beyond rainwater's capacity to sustain growth.
Types of Rainwater Recovery Systems
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Above-ground cisterns are the most common type of cistern and are easy to build and maintain. A simple and commonly used type of cistern is a 55-gallon tank made of either polyethylene, plastic or fiberglass. A series of PVC piping is used to connect to downspouts and direct the rainwater through filters into the cistern.
Below-ground cisterns are used mostly in cold climates in commercial settings and require a pump to force the water above ground. The set-up and materials used are the same, but the cost of the pump, complex design and additional maintenance are reasons why below-ground cisterns are less common.
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Rain Water Recovery Energy and Environmental Benefits
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Rainwater recovery can save you money by reducing your water usage from your local water authority. Rainwater is free, so harvesting rainfall in the rainy season and storing it for the warmer, drier months or drought can reduce your overall water use and expense. Erosion and storm water run-off are also reduced while increasing water quality at the same time.
Initial Investment and Future Savings
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The expense of incorporating a rainwater recovery system into your home is all up front with marginal costs for filters, PVC, basket strainers and leaf screens. Filters are the only item that will need regular replacement--about once every 1 or 2 months depending on how much rain you get.
The cost of the a barrel, PVC for piping, rain gutter attachments and filters can range in cost from $250 to $2,000 depending on the number of units you set up. Ongoing costs of maintenance include replacing filters, basket strainers and leaf screens.
Local water authority costs may increase, and if you use a well it is likely that your well will need to be replaced in the future due to corrosion, contamination or age.
Considerations for Choosing a Cistern
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Choosing the right rainwater harvesting system depends on several factors. The amount of water you wish to collect and the initial cost are obvious considerations, but also worth noting are some of the benefits of rainwater harvesting. Rainwater is perfect for landscape watering and car washing, both of which require a lot of water. Rainwater systems are simple systems that do not require mechanical expertise. Rainwater is free of lime and chlorine.
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References
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- Photo Credit rain drops 3 image by Stanislav Halcin from Fotolia.com
