Rainwater Harvesting: Practical Methods Used Worldwide

What Is Rainwater Harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is the technique or strategy for collecting rainwater from surfaces on which rain falls, and storing it in the right way for future use.

The great thing about rainwater harvesting is that, even if we receive a rainfall only for 3-4 months in a year, we can still collect and store as much water as we can during rainy season and enjoy its perks throughout the year.

 

In This Article:

1. Why Rainwater Harvesting is necessary?
2. Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting
3. Disadvantages of Rainwater Harvesting
4. Various methods of rainwater harvesting

 

Roof Catchments

• Rainwater Barrels
• Stepped Roof

 

Ground Catchments

• Tanka / Taanka- For the areas with saline groundwater
• Sand Dams- For the areas with seasonal rivers
• Khadin/ Johads- For the areas with steep slopes
• Bhungroo-For the areas with limited rainfall

 

5. Summary

• Mistakes to avoid when harvesting rainwater at home
• Roof Catchment vs Ground Catchment

 

Why Rainwater Harvesting Is Necessary?

 

With increase in population, the demand for water is also continuously increasing.

Since last few years, we have been facing many uncertainties in water supply systems. In addition to this, global warming, droughts, depletion in groundwater levels and contamination of surface water due to pollution are also making the situation worse.

There are many brilliant techniques being used all around the world to conserve water in hot and arid regions, and even in the heart of the deserts.

Sadly, there are many regions that are receiving good amount of rainfall each year, and still facing severe water scarcity due to poor water management.

In such regions, rainwater harvesting can create wonders by not only fulfilling their daily water demands, but also by reducing load on ground water supply.

 

How it works?

A rainwater harvesting system is a very reliable method of water conservation. It can be used in rural, urban as well as industrial areas receiving plenty of rainfall.

Once we have the main ingredient- ‘Rain’, the recipe is really simple!

 

1. Collecting rainwater:

We can collect the rainwater from various surfaces and platforms on which the rain falls. Sloping roofs / terraces are the best catchment areas, provided they are large enough to harvest daily water needs.

Other than that, we can also use tarps (tarpaulin) or plastic sheet as a temporary setup for collecting the rainwater.

 

2. Filtering collected water:

We can filter the collected rainwater with the help of basic/ advanced filtration system to remove larger impurities like moss, twigs, leaves and dirt.

 

3. Storing filtered water:

 

After filtering the rainwater, we can…

• Either stored it in a well-covered tank
• Or allow it to percolate into the ground (to recharge the groundwater level.)

 

This stored water can be used for various purposes like…

• Gardening, washing cars, flushing toilet etc. (without filtering)
• Or for consumption (post sophisticated water purification process.)

 

What Are The Advantages Of Rainwater Harvesting?

 

It can be done with a basic/ small setup:

Rainwater harvesting can be easily done with simple DIY (Do it yourself) methods. We won’t need big and expensive infrastructure for small scale projects/ house.

 

Reduces demand on groundwater:

• Rainwater harvesting recharges the groundwater level.
• It is also the easiest and quickest method for minimizing water consumption from main water supply line.
• This way, the water companies will not have to deplete the nearby water sources like rivers and lakes to artificially pump in water.
• This can help in minimizing the possibility of rivers drying up in long run.

 

Makes us self-sufficient:

Rainwater harvesting helps to store water for times of water scarcity and droughts.

So, this will be the best backup plan to reduce our dependency on main water supply in case of an emergency.

 

Reduces the burden of fetching water every day:

Traditionally in many rural areas, it is the men who go to work and earn; whilst the women and children walk for miles to fetch water. Sometimes, they even have to walk for 6-12 hours a day, carrying up to 20 Liters (approximately 5 gallons) of water on their heads or backs.

For women, this responsibility persists even during pregnancy. The health risks are not hard to imagine. Women sometimes give birth or miscarry when they are far away from home or help.

With the help of rainwater harvesting, Women and children can reduce the greatest burden on their shoulders.

 

It’s cost effective:

Rainwater is free from many chemicals found in ground water. That’s why, we can use it for several non-drinking functions like flushing toilets, watering the garden, washing cars etc. without even purifying it.

Hence, the overall cost of installation and operation of rainwater harvesting system becomes much lesser than that of water purifying or pumping systems.

 

Reduces water bills:

Most homeowners have reported a reduction of about 50% in water bills after installing rainwater harvesting system at home. There are even people who don’t have a main water connection at all. They are not paying anything to the Water Supply & Sewerage Board since installing rainwater harvesting system in their home. Can you believe it? That’s simply amazing!

Even on an industrial scale, harvesting rainwater can cut down significant amount of cost by using the collected water for various operations.

 

Reduces the chances of flooding and soil erosion:

• As the rainwater is collected in large storage tanks, it reduces the load on drainage systems.
• It also helps in minimizing the possibility and impact of floods in some low-lying areas.
• The lesser run-off of rainwater lessens the burden of soil erosion in a number of areas, allowing the land to thrive once again.

 

Prevents contamination of surface water:

Rainwater harvesting helps in reducing contamination of surface water with pesticides and fertilizers from rainwater run-off. This aids in keeping the lakes and ponds cleaner.

 

And last but not the least,

 

We will have the greenest lawn:

No need to worry about water shortages and their consequential lawn watering bans from municipalities. We can simply use harvested rainwater to save our lawn even in the hot summer

 

What Are The Disadvantages Of Rainwater Harvesting?

 

Higher initial setup cost:

Basic DIY rainwater harvesting techniques are quiet easy and economical. A sophisticated setup with proper collection and storage system can be costly and may take 10-15 years to get return-on-investment (ROI) depending on the amount of rainfall and sophistication of the system.

 

Needs regular maintenance:

If the rainwater harvesting system is not maintained properly, it may attract some unwanted guests like rodents, mosquitoes, algae, insects and lizards etc. and become their breeding ground.

 

Note:
Keeping a lid on the barrel/ covering the tank properly can mitigate the possibility of mosquitoes breeding and even other infestations.

 

Collected water is not fit for consumption:

• Most of the rainwater harvesting systems do not have sophisticated water purification system, making the collected rainwater unfit for consumption.
• As a result, it cannot be used in the bathroom (for showering) or in the kitchen (for food preparation/ cleaning/ washing utensils).
• Certain types of roofs may seep chemicals, insects, dirt or animals droppings that can harm plants if it is used for gardening.

 

Storage is limited:

Some countries and regions have restrictions on rainwater harvesting limit. So, never ever forget to make sure if it’s legal in your area before installing a rainwater harvesting system.

If you have a barrel with very limited storage capacity, it may not be able to hold all rainwater during a heavy rainfall and fresh water will end up in drains and rivers.

 

VARIOUS METHODS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING

 

There are basically two types of rainfall catchments.

1. Roof Catchments
2. Ground Catchments

 

1. ROOF CATCHMENTS

 

Roof catchments are practical in areas where rainfall is abundant and fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.

The sloping roofs / terraces are the best catchment areas, provided they have suitable materials and are large enough to harvest daily water needs.

 

Pros:

• It is one of the easiest and most convenient ways of collecting rainwater efficiently and quickly
• They can be used in most of the places
• They are relatively inexpensive to develop and are easy to maintain

 

Cons:

Rainwater harvesting cannot be done on…

• Thatched roof (as the water running from them may start seeping into the roofs and be lost)
• Badly maintained, rusty and lead roofs (as the water running from them is likely to get very contaminated)

 

Precautions to be taken while using roof catchments:

• Cleaning catchment surface and gutters prior to first rain of the season
• Cleaning the storage tank/ container periodically and always keeping it covered
• Diverting and not consuming water from the first few millimeters of each rainfall event (as it contains dust accumulated on the roof / terrace)

 

Examples of Roof Catchments:

 

Rainwater Barrels

 

How it works?

• It is a very basic form of rainwater harvesting in which, a barrel or pots are simply installed underneath the downspout of the roof guttering.
• This way, the rain falling on the roof gets funneled into the barrel (which ideally contains a spigot).
• We can use the collected water as a backup in emergency.
• We can also use it for drip irrigation by attaching it to the pipe.

 

Note:

• Always cover the barrel with lid / cloth in order to avoid mosquito infestation and contamination of water.
• Use black barrels to block the sunlight from penetrating inside the barrel and discourage the growth of algae.
• If you intend to consume the water you collect, be sure that you purchase food grade rain barrels.

 

Pros:

• Using rainwater barrels is the cheapest and easiest way of harvesting rainwater in our home.
• They are easy to use
• They are readily available for purchase at many locations and at reasonable prices.

 

Cons:

• When winter knocks, ordinary plastic barrel can crack as the water stored in the barrel may freeze and expand.
• Barrels have limited water storage capacity and prolonged rains would result in flooding.
• A substandard quality barrel can leach dangerous chemicals into your water in a long run.

 

Similarly,

Depending upon the requirement, any container with suitable size (Big, small) and material (temporary barrel, earthen pot or permanent tank etc.) can be placed either above or below the ground to store water from the catchment.

 

The size and type of the container depends upon:

• Your daily water consumption
• Amount and frequency of the rainfall in your area
• Size of the collecting surface available and
• Your budget

 

If your region is prone to droughts and water scarcity, filling a large tank is recommended to maintain a good supply of water in the time of need.

In case you have a tight budget, you can use several low cost jars/ pots or barrels to collect enough water (either by placing them individually, or by connecting them with a pipe), rather than spending money in constructing costly concrete tank.

 

Rainwater harvesting is a necessity. But can it be a tradition? Let’s have a look at this unique example of roof catchment.

 

This stepped roof is serving the dual purpose.

 

Have you ever gone to a beautiful island?

Islands are just awesome!

Especially, the tropical islands! They are colourful, fun, beautiful, romantic and one of the best places to relax.

Sadly, in case of many islands, there are no fresh-water springs, rivers or lakes and rain is the only source of fresh water.

As more and more tourists like us are getting attracted towards beautiful remote islands to spend their vacations, many of such islands have no other option but to mainly rely on desalination plants to get sufficient supply of freshwater.

Such desalination plants are generally very costly, need big infrastructure and are not feasible for tiny islands.

So, can you think of any simple, low-tech solution for these poor islanders?

Well, the good news is, you don’t have to think too hard.

Bermuda (a string of islands located on the North Atlantic and off the east coast of North America) has a 400+ year old proven roofing system that, harvests rain and provides fresh water effortlessly.

Houses in Bermuda have white stepped roofs to capture rainwater.

Wow! Our ancestors were really smart!

 

How it works?

 

Material:

• The roof is made up of native limestone blocks and sliced into individual slates.
• A reflective white paint is applied on the roof to form a sanitary surface.

 

Shape:

• The roofs are fashioned in step-like sloped surfaces with gutter ridges.
• The steps slow down heavy rainfall helping the gutters to catch more water.

 

Storage:

• Water collected in the gutter gets stored in a tank under the house through pipes.
• Electric pumps lift the water from the storage tanks
• The water gets stored under pressure for use throughout people’s houses.
• Many houses are having a separate system of plumbing running to the bathrooms.

 

Pros:

 

It’s a low cost and low tech solution:

• This low cost system is comparatively very easy to implement on larger scale and has been used in North Atlantic island of Bermuda since centuries.

 

Keeps the water clean:

• Earlier, the roof was covered in a lime mortar, which had anti-bacterial properties.
• Nowadays, white reflective paint is used to coat the roof as it reflects ultra-violet light from the sun and also helps in purifying the water.

 

It’s cool:

• This beautiful yet efficient white roofs also keep their homes cooler during the hotter months, under blazing sunshine.

 

It’s hurricane proof:

• Islands are vulnerable to hurricanes.
• Heavy stepped roofs made up of limestone are not easily shifted by hurricanes.
• This reduces/ prevents the overall damage.

 

Creates awareness:

• Self-sufficiency in collecting water encourages people to conserve water.
• In places like Bermuda, the entire community is based on the same system (every house has a stepped roof).
• It represents unity along with the individual’s responsibility to save water.

 

Cons:

 

It’s not for all:

• It’s a area specific solution and not suitable for countries that have low rainfall or long dry seasons.

 

Needs regular cleaning:

• Regular cleaning of the roofs is a must to avoid accumulation of dirt and bird droppings that can contaminate the rainwater.

 

Impact:

In Bermuda, as per the house-building regulations, it is mandatory to have a stepped roof with particular tank space.

As a result, more than 50% of all the potable water consumed in Bermuda is coming from their roofs, providing freshwater to more than 60,000 residents and tourists.

There are many islands that rely almost entirely on desalination for potable water.

This system can serve as a model and inspiration for communities in such islands and tropical zones with similar weather/ temperature conditions like Bermuda, in order to save a lot of money and energy.

It’s pretty simple, pretty effective, and looks pretty too.

So, let’s Step Up and Drink!

 

2. GROUND CATCHMENTS

 

Although roof catchments are great for individual household, they are not that practical and efficient when it comes to a community.

Especially, if rainwater is the primary water source, a roof catchment (with limited surface area) on each roof in a community would be expensive and impractical.

Hence, in areas with very limited rainfall and absence/ lack of other water sources, ground catchments are best suited for collecting rain water for several families or for small community suppliers rather than individual families.

 

How it’s made?

 

1. Preparing catchment surface:

   In the simplest form of ground catchment; the surface is simply smoothed and cleaned of vegetation.

 

2. Making the surface impervious:

   Natural compacted clay soils make good catchment surfaces for collecting rain water as they are relatively impervious and need little or no treatment to seal soil pores.

   In areas where there is no impervious soil, various covering materials and chemical treatments are used to prevent water losses through seepage and infiltration.

 

3. Skillful construction:

   A well-designed and maintained catchment, with slope steep enough to ensure rapid run-off and minimum losses to evaporation and transpiration, can collect up to 90% of the water reaching it.

 

4. Using stored water:

   Water from the ground catchment flows into an underground storage tank, which is then pumped up with either hand or power pump for usage during dry season.

 

Precautions to be taken while using ground catchments:

• Cut back any trees or vegetation overhanging the catchment surface in order to avoid contamination
• Clean catchment surface prior to first rain of the season
• Collect and store rainwater in covered tanks which are periodically cleaned
• Divert and do not consume water from the first few millimeters of each rainfall event as it contains dust accumulated on the catchment area

 

Pros:

• It is more practical and effective for small community than using roof catchment on each roof.
• Due to larger catchment area, it’s possible to collect more water than roof catchments even with a little rainfall.

 

Cons:

• If the catchment surfaces are pervious, it may cause water losses from infiltration and seepage. The water also can be lost through evaporation.
• Ground catchments are comparatively more difficult to design and construct.
• Needs skilled labour.
• Initial setup cost of ground catchments is more expensive than roof catchments because of material and labor costs. Hence, they are not suitable for individual families.

 

Examples of Surface Catchments:

 

Tanka / Taanka- For The Areas With Saline Groundwater

 

Tanka is a traditional rainwater harvesting technique commonly used in Rajasthan (India).

This method is useful in the hot and arid zones where, groundwater is saline/ not easily available.

How it works?

In simple words, Tanka is an underground tank in which runoff rainwater from a large surface catchment area/ a system of canals is stored.

1. An underground cylindrical shaped tank with thick walls and impermeable base is constructed on a natural/artificially created sloping ground.
2. The run-off water from sloping catchment area gets channelized into the zigzag entrance of the Tanka.
3. An outlet is provided to enable overflow of excess water and prevent any damage due to excess of water.
4. A basic wire mesh filter is placed at the inlet and outlet of the Tanka to prevent entry of suspended solids and dust/silt.
5. A lockable steel lid is provided at the top of the Tanka to pull out the water (generally with bucket and a rope) and enable entry during cleaning.

 

Note:

Tanka should ideally be cleaned before rainy season every year.

Pros:

 

• Provides water throughout the year:

  Tankas can have an enormous water holding capacity. Depending upon its size, water stored in a Tanka can last throughout the dry season.

 

• It’s convenient:

  Tankas can be constructed near houses. Hence there is no need to walk for miles in a quest of water.

 

• Quality of the water is good:

  Provides clean and sweet drinking water. Stored water doesn’t have bad odour

 

• It’s economic:

  Tankas can be easily constructed at an individual, public or collective level. Many poor families can construct a Tanka with collective efforts.

 

Sand Dams- For The Areas With Seasonal Rivers

 

Kenya (Africa) has literally created an oasis in the arid region with the help of sand dams.

Sand dams capture surface water that would normally be lost as stream flow.

It is a very useful method of capturing surface water during a wet season and storing it for later use during the dry season.

 

Requirements:

Sand dams can be built in rural areas, with following conditions that are generally found in arid and semi-arid regions

• A seasonal river that flows for weeks (rather than many months of the year).
• Sufficient coarse sandy river sediment where the river is underlain by impervious bedrock (or clays like black cotton soil)
• Accessible bedrock to dig down into.

 

How it works?

 

• A sand dam is a reinforced stone masonry wall built across a seasonal sandy river.
• During the rainy season, the sand dam fills with sediment-laden water.
• Sand dams are relatively low in height. Due to which, the heavy sand gets deposited behind the dam, while the light silt and almost 97-99% of the water flowing in the river continues downstream.
• Depending upon the amount of rainfall and geographical conditions, the dam gets filled with sand within 1-4 rainy seasons
• 1-3% of runoff water gets stored inside this sand bed
• The stored water can be extracted through either a water tank, tap or sealed shallow well (topped with a hand pump).

 

Note:
Riverbeds with crystalline rocks and coarse sand have higher yield compared with volcanic rocks.

 

 

Pros:

 

• Provides year-round good quality water:

  Sand acts as a natural filtration material and removes many impurities from the water flowing through the riverbed sand.

  Sand dams provide a safer water supply as the water stored below the surface is protected from contamination (by livestock and other animals) and waterborne diseases (caused by disease transmitters, such as mosquitoes and freshwater snails.)

 

• Reduces the wastage of water and land erosion:

  Sand dam captures the water normally lost to runoff. As the water is stored safely within the sand, it is protected from the losses due to evaporation.

  With the increase in water table, sand dam also encourages the natural growth of trees and shrubs in that area.

  As a result, more water infiltrates the ground and less soil is washed away – creating a virtuous cycle of soil and water conservation.

 

• It’s a long term solution:

  If well-constructed and maintained, sand dams can last for decades (the oldest known in operation is 100 years old)

 

• It’s cost effective:

  This technology is simple. It can be constructed by local communities with locally available materials.

  Once built properly, sand dams require almost zero operation and maintenance cost. It’s remarkably low-cost and sustainable solution to water scarcity.

 

• Downstream users are not affected:

  Sand dam allows 97-99% of river water to continue downstream, by flowing over the dam.

  So, it does not stop the flow of a river and downstream users are not affected.

 

• Increases income:

  A secure and convenient water supply enables a greater range of foods to be grown. Sand dam also improves the soil, creating better conditions for crops and grazing.

  As a result, farmers can grow a reliable amount of food; enough to generate a surplus that can be sold at local markets.

 

• It reduces the burden of fetching water:

  Traditionally, in many areas; men earn the family’s income through going to work, while women and children walk for miles to collect water.

  Sand dam makes the precious water available locally, which vastly reduces the amount of time and energy needed to collect water, giving more time and opportunity for women to develop their own income, and for children to go to school.

 

• Promotes unity:

  Sand dam needs high level of community involvement during its construction, operation and maintenance.It encourages people to come together and work towards the betterment of whole community.

 

Cons:

• The technology is simple but labour intensive, and cannot work out well without the involvement of local communities.

 

Impact:

As the sand dams have tremendously reduced the time and energy required in fetching water, women and children are no longer burdened.

As a result, school attendance has increased significantly and women are able to earn more money by utilizing this time in many income generating activities.

That’s why, this water catchment strategy is recognized as one of the most effective and prominent water access strategies in this semi-arid region.

 

Khadin/ Johads- For The Areas With Steep Slopes

 

Khadins/ Dhora or Johad system is more than 5,000 years old system, commonly used in Thar desert (Rajasthan, India) in the present world.

This system is very similar to the irrigation methods of the people of ancient Ur (present Iraq).

This system is useful in areas which have specific geological and topographical requirements like steep slopes and hilly area etc.

 

How it works?

 

1. The lower most area in the surrounding is chosen as a site, so that water can flow to that area.
2. A long (approx.100-300 m) crescent shaped earthen embankment (khadin bund) is built across the lower hill slopes lying below gravelly uplands.
3. During rainy season, the run-off rainwater from the high catchment area gets stored with the help of this embankment and fills ponds behind the structures.
4. Sluices and spillways allow excess water to drain off and recharge the groundwater level.
5. Only the largest structures hold water year round; most dry up within six months or less after the rainy season.
6. The water-saturated catchment area (khadin) remains moist for a long period.
7. This water enriched land is then used for crop production.

 

Pros:

 

• Recharges groundwater level:

  As the water is stored underground, it does not evaporate, but spreads out to recharge wells and provides moisture for vegetation over a wide area.

 

• Cost effective:

  It is cheap and easy to construct

 

• Prevents contamination of water:

  As the water is stored underground, is relatively protected from contamination by human and animal waste. It does not act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes

 

Cons:

 

• It’s an area specific solution:

This system needs specific topography and geology. Hence it cannot be adapted everywhere.

 

Bhungroo-For The Areas With Limited Rainfall

 

‘Bhungroo’ means straw or a hollow pipe in Gujarati language. It is a very common rainwater harvesting method in Gujarat, India.

This method is useful in the areas where limited rainfall leads to water logging in peak cropping season, and severe water scarcity for the rest of the year.

 

How it works?

In simple words, Bhungroo is like an injection well that injects and stores excess rainwater underground

 

During rainy season:

Rainwater run-off passes through the pipe and gets stored into an underground natural reservoir

During dry season:

The stored water is pumped up from a big natural underground water reservoir for irrigation.

 

Note:
Although basic concept of a Bhungroo remains the same, its design may vary depending upon the climate and topography of that area.

 

Pros:

 

Conserves water efficiently:

• Helps avoid evaporation loss and wastage of water during the rainy season.
• Reduces the chances of water logging and floods during rainy season and prevents recurring droughts during dry season

 

Improves quality of the water:

• As the Reduces the salinity of groundwater by mixing it with non-saline rainwater

 

Cost effective:

• Requires a one-time low capital investment that pays for itself in less than two years.
• Bhungroo works out for 1/10th of the cost of bore-well recharge technology

 

Easy to maintain:

• It is nearly maintenance free (except the filtration chamber)In ideal conditions it can last for up to 30 years, which makes it a sustainable solution for water retention

 

Good for farming:

• Bhungroo increases soil productivity by reducing salt deposition on top soil, caused by standing water after heavy rainfall.
• Reclaims land from desertification by enabling plots, which were unproductive for decades due to water logging and droughts
• Enables farmers to harvest crops throughout the year and earn in multiples of what they would normally make.

 

Takes less space:

• It requires less space (approx. only 1 square meter surface area) as compared to traditional irrigation methods, such as tube wells, farm ponds, and check dams etc.

 

Quick Recap:

 

What Is Rainwater Harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is the technique or strategy for collecting rainwater from surfaces on which rain falls, and storing it in the right way for future use.

 

We can use the collected rainwater for…

 

Non-drinking functions including

• Flushing toilets
• Cleaning
• Watering the garden
• Washing cars etc.
• Doing laundry
• Farming

 

Post Filtration/Purification:

• Drinking
• Cooking
• Washing utensils
• Taking showers and baths

 

Advantages Of Rainwater Harvesting

• Rainwater harvesting can be easily done with simple DIY (Do it yourself) methods for small scale projects/ house.
• Reduces demand on groundwater
• Recharges the groundwater level
• Makes you self-sufficient in case of an emergency
• Reduces the burden of fetching water every day
• It’s cost effective
• Reduces water bills by about 50%
• Reduces the chances of flooding and soil erosion
• Helps in reducing contamination of surface water with pesticides and fertilizers from rainwater run-off

 

Disadvantages Of Rainwater Harvesting

• Although basic DIY techniques will be cheaper, a sophisticated setup with proper collection and storage system can be costly
• Poorly maintained system may attract rodents, mosquitoes, algae, insects and lizards etc.
• The collected rainwater is not fit for consumption without proper purification
• Certain types of roofs may seep chemicals, insects, dirt or animal droppings that can harm plants if it is used for gardening
• Some countries and regions have restrictions on rainwater harvesting storage limit.

 

Mistakes To Avoid When Harvesting Rainwater At Home:

• Forgetting to make sure if the rainwater harvesting is legal in your area
• Installing expensive complicated systems. Try low cost, simple DIY methods
• Forgetting to cover the storage container, or else it will become a breeding ground for mosquitoes
• Using too small containers. They will overflow during 1^st rainfall itself and won’t be of much use. Use bigger tanks to maintain a good supply of water in the time of need.
• Storing /consuming water from the first few millimeters of each rainfall event as it contains dust accumulated on the roof / terrace
• Collecting water from badly maintained, rusty and lead roofs as the water running from them is likely to be very contaminated
• Forgetting to clean your storage containers periodically / before filling them again
• Using low quality storage containers that can leach dangerous chemicals into the water
• Drinking collected water without purification

 

Methods Of Rainwater Harvesting

• Roof Catchments
• Ground Catchments

 

Roof Catchment Vs Ground Catchment

	Roof Catchment	Surface Catchment
Suitable For	Individual Household	Small Community
Catchment Area	Limited	Large
Water Collection	Less	More
Design & Construction	Easy	Difficult
Construction Cost	Less	More
Skilled Labour	Not Required	Required
Time Required For Construction	Less	More
Maintenance	Easy	Difficult
Examples	Rainwater Barrels, Stepped Roof	Tanka/ Taanka, Sand Dams, Khadin/ Johad, Bhungroo

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Have you tried these rainwater harvesting methods in your area? Were they useful?
Do you know any other simple and cost effective ways to collect rainwater at your home?

Please comment. Your experience can change the life of millions of people in drought affected areas.

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Reference:

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