The cistern typically located underground may be constructed of various materials including cinderblock reinforced concrete or precast concrete fiberglass or steel.
Roof rainwater collection system.
A system of gutters and downspouts directs the rainwater collected by the roof to the storage cistern.
Figure out what you already have on hand then gather the following supplies.
Traditionally this involves harvesting the rain from a roof.
A first flush diverter is a contraption that redirects the first purge of water coming from the roof during a storm away from the rainwater tank.
There s just a short list of rooftop surfaces that rainwater harvesters should avoid.
Pipe threads so you can access water from your rain barrel.
The supplies you ll need to make your rainwater collection system can easily be picked up at a hardware or home and garden store.
Here s a handy little calculator to help you estimate how much rainwater can you harvest from your roof.
While metal roofing or plastic sheeting e g.
Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run off from a structure or other impervious surface in order to store it for later use.
A step beyond screens is to add a first flush diverter aka roof washer to your rainwater collection system.
1 standard 1 inch hose spigot with in.
Many folks shared memories of rainwater collection system rain barrels cisterns hand pumps and drawing water with a well bucket as a child usually on grandpa and grandma s farm.
1 of rain on 1 000 sf roof will yield 623 gallons roof area m2 x precipitation amount mm amount collected liters.
Some said they d never want to rely again on those old time methods of getting water.
How much rainwater can you harvest from your roof.
Rainwater collection is not allowed in all places.
Some states external consider rainwater the property of the state and prohibit its collection so you should consult with your local government for example your environmental quality department or health department before proceeding 2.
The good news is most roofing materials are suitable for rainwater harvesting.
Rainwater collection calculation formulas and equations roof area ft2 x precipitation amount in x 0 623 amount collected gallons easy formula to remember.
Greenhouse roof has the highest collection efficiency most surfaces are a ok.
Read down the list for info on roofing materials for rainwater harvesting.