Rainwater harvesting and storage have become very popular in Australia, particularly in southern cities like Perth and Adelaide. Areas such as Perth and Adelaide have a diverse climate with the amount of rainfall in each season varying significantly. With such varied rainfall patterns, rainwater harvesting and storage makes sense for many Adelaide and Perth households Rainwater Tank Supplier Australia.
So what is rainwater harvesting and storage?
Rainwater harvesting is any process that collects water run-off from a structure or waterproof surface to be stored for later use. Rainwater storage, as the name suggests, involves the storage of rainwater for later use, typically in a rainwater storage tank. Rainwater harvesting is sometimes referred to as rainwater catchment, roofwater collection or rooftop rainwater harvesting.
Components of a rainwater harvesting and storage system
Collection Area/Roof Surface
To harvest rainwater you first need an area you can collect the rainwater from. This usually involves collecting rainwater that has fallen onto the roof of a house, office building or some other structure. The water that falls onto the roof is captured by gutters that divert the water to the rest of the rainwater harvesting and storage system.
Gutter Guard
To avoid leaves and twigs from the roof blocking up the gutters, it is useful to use a gutter guard or screen that prevents debris and vegetation from blocking the gutter. The gutter screen also acts as a basic layer of water filtration, allowing the harvested rainwater to flow freely with reduced contamination. This is important in cities such as Perth and Adelaide which often experience windy and stormy weather conditions irrigation systems Australia.
Downspout filter
A downspout filter, sometimes referred to as a rain head, is an integral part of any rainwater harvesting system. The downspout filter provides another level of cleaning or filtration as the rainwater moves through the harvesting system.
Diverter
A diverter is not always installed in a rainwater harvesting system. However, they are very useful in diverting the first bit of rainwater away from the rainwater tank. The first bit of rainwater that comes off a roof tends to be the dirtiest and holds the most contaminants. Diverting the first bit, often referred to as the first flush, greatly enhances the quality of the collected rainwater.
Tank Screen/filter
As the collected rainwater flows into the tank it is important to filter the water as much as possible. A tank screen/filter sits at the top/entrance of the rainwater tank.
Rainwater Tank
There are many different sizes and shapes of rainwater tanks and they are made from various materials. The rainwater tank is the storage component of most rainwater harvesting systems found throughout cities like Perth and Adelaide in Australia.
Pump System - A way to distribute
A water pump is integral to any rainwater harvesting and storage system as it provides the initial stage of water distribution from the storage point. There are many different types of rainwater pumps available, including solar water pumps. Be sure to get advice from your local water pump supplier about the type of water pump you need and if they can provide a pumping equipment service in the future.
Irrigation Filter
It is recommended you install an inline irrigation filter after the water pump to prevent any residual debris from moving further through your irrigation system, particularly if you are using the harvested water for irrigation via water sprinklers or lawn sprinklers.
Water Level Indicator
A water level indicator is very useful in monitoring the water level of your rainwater storage tank. There are many types available ranging from fully wireless, digital varieties which enable remote monitoring or simple gauge tank options which require a manual check.
Rainwater harvesting and rainwater storage will continue to be very popular in cities such as Perth and Adelaide because they maximise the availability of rainwater. Water wastage is reduced through the harvesting of rainwater, while rainwater storage helps even out supply problems during the drier months.
If you are thinking about setting up a rainwater harvesting and storage system, head to your nearest Think Water supplier for some local advice on how to get going.
Comments