HINREN TECHNOLOGIES PVT LTD

Rainwater Harvesting for Apartments

Do it yourself

www.hinren.com

Author
Kiran Rao M G
Director
Hinren Technologies Pvt Ltd.
Ph: 9036945549, 23462158

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RAINWATER HARVESTING:

Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) is the act of capturing rainwater and either storing it for
use or recharging it into the ground. In Apartments, water from clean catchments (roof) can
be routed properly through suitable conduits into a filter. Filtered water can be stored in
storage structures for subsequent use. Surface run off can be used to recharge the ground
water. This is achieved by recharge wells and/or direct tube-well recharge

RAINFALL PATTERN AND FACTS ABOUT RAINFALL IN BANGALORE

The following are details about the rainfall pattern in Bangalore and form the base
assumptions for all designs and calculations:
Parameter

Measure

Total Annual average rainfall

970 mm

Total no of rainy days

60 rainy days

Peak hour intensity of rain in Bangalore

60 mm/hr

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The rainfall distribution pattern in Bangalore is as follows:

MONTH

DAYS

QUANTITY (mm)

JAN

0.2

2.70

FEB

0.5

7.20

MAR

0.4

4.40

APR

3.0

46.30

MAY

7.0

119.60

JUN

6.4

80.80

JUL

8.3

110.20

AUG

10.0

137.00

SEP

9.3

194.80

OCT

9.0

180.40

NOV

4.0

64.50

DEC

1.7

22.10

TOTAL

59.8

970.00

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Monthly rainfall data

250

194.8

200

Rainfall (mm)

180.4

150

137
119.6
110.2

100
80.8
64.4
46.3

50

22.1
2.7

7.2

4.4

FEB

MAR

0
JAN

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Months

Based on the above details the storage structures or recharge structures can be
designed for 30 mm rainfall which is optimum and economical storage.
Bangalore is blessed with a relatively well distributed rainfall and has a rainfall
distribution which is Bi-modal (two peak rainfall seasons in a year). In this context, the
following strategy has been found most suitable for rainwater harvesting implementation in
Bangalore:
a) Storage of rainwater for direct use: Priority is given to capture as much of the runoff rainwater in storages such as sumps, on-ground tanks or tanks on terraces at
intermediate levels (eg: sit outs / balconies). However for such a strategy, the run-off
only from clean areas can be tapped. It is important that these catchment areas be free
from any form of chemical or other toxic contamination and dust content is as low as
possible. Typically roof areas qualify well for such a strategy. The water from this
run-off is first rain separated, filtered and then let into the storage. The water can be
used for all household purposes such as bathing, washing, cleaning, gardening etc
directly and can even be used for potable purposes if subsequently it is passed through
filters to deal with bacteriological contamination (Eg: aquaguard filters, boiling etc).
However, this requires that roof areas be kept clean and there is no junking of material
on the roof or movement of pets such as dogs and cats on the roof and there is no soap
water washing of the roof area. A water testing process prior to use for drinking and
cooking purposes is recommended. Subsequently regular potability tests are also
recommended.

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b)

Groundwater recharge: Excess run-off from above mentioned clean surfaces, runoff from other surfaces such as roads, garden area etc can then be redirected for
groundwater recharge. In the context of Bangalore, the most effective recharge
structure has been found to be a recharge well whose depth is a minimum of around
20 feet. These recharge wells recharge the shallow aquifer. Water needs to be
desilted adequately before allowing the water into recharge wells. The location of the
recharge wells need to be chosen strategically both where significant run-off water
passes through the recharge well location and which is close to existing bore wells.
Recharge wells, over time will help replenish groundwater. If the ground water table
rises above the bottom of the recharge well, the recharge well can be used as a
withdrawal well. The diagram below illustrates the principle of recharge.

COMPONENTS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Conduit / Pipes
Filtration
Storage Structures
Recharge Structures

CONDUIT / PIPES:

Rainwater pipes/conduits carry water from the roof top to the ground. These pipes
have to be connected and drawn to the required location by providing sufficient slope so that
the water flows with gravity and no water is stored in the pipes after rain stops. The pipes can

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also be laid underground but sufficient care has to be taken in order to avoid damage to the
pipe because of the vehicular movement.
The cost of piping depends on various factors like quality of pipe and length of piping works
to be done and many other site conditions.
FILTRATION:

Rainwater has to be filtered for silt and suspended impurities before allowing into any
of the storage structures in order to store it for a longer time.
Below are some of the filtration methods which can be implemented.
First Rain Separator:
First rain separator is a mechanism where in first few minutes of rain which carries
most of the impurities from the roof is not allowed to pass into the filter or storage structures.
First rain separators play a major role in rainwater harvesting structures by reducing the
amount of silt / debris flowing into the filter or storage structures. This in turn reduces
maintenance of filter and cleaning of the storage structure.
First rain separators can also act as bypass arrangement if the rain water is not to be collected.
Design:
Provide a capacity of 0.2 to 0.3 Litres per square meter of the roof area in case the
roof is maintained clean.
First Rain separator by using Y Joints in the Conduit:
This can be designed by providing a Y joint for the rainwater pipes at about 8 10
feet height and closing the end of the down flow pipe using and threaded end cap. The Other
end of the Y joint can be connected to the Filter or storage Structure.
First few minutes of rain collects in the pipe till the water level rises to the Y joint level once
the water level rises above the Y Joint level the water starts flowing to the filter or storage
structure. The silt and dirt in the water collects at the bottom of the pipe which has to be
cleaned by opening the end cap at least once in a week. A drain hole has to be provided on
the cap which ensures that the pipe gets emptied after every rain.

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The first rain separator can be designed by using the conduits as shown in the below diagram.

Filter:
Rainwater from the roof carries dust and suspended particles from the roof top. These
impurities have to be filtered before allowing the water for storage. This can be achieved by
passing the rain water through a chamber having layers of graded aggregates and a layer of
charcoal. The suspended particles get trapped in the aggregate bed and charcoal adsorbs gases
and odour if any. Filter also reduces the velocity of water and hence helps in sedimentation of
fine particles in the filter.
Design:
The size of the filter depends on the roof area and the cleanliness of the roof. The
filter can be designed to a capacity of 0.5 to 0.8 Liters per square meter of the roof area.

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Below is the schematic diagram of a filter;

Typical filter constructed at site:

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Approximate Cost of Filters:

Length
(Feet)

Breadth
(Feet)

Depth
(Feet)

Volume
(Litres)

Approximate
Cost (Rs.)

1.5

1.5

190

4,350

1.5

250

5,700

1.5

2.5

310

7,000

335

7,650

2.5

420

9,500

2.5

2.5

525

11,950

2.5

630

14,350

750

17,000

3.5

3.5

1030

23,000

Underground / Subsurface Filters:

In case it is not possible to provide filters over the ground, underground filters can be
constructed. The principle of filtration remains the same but the filter will have 2 chambers
with the filter media and the water flows through the filter media and moves to the second
chamber through the underground pipe and

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Below is the schematic diagram of subsurface filter:

Typical Subsurface filter installed at site:

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Approximate cost for subsurface filters

Length
(Feet)

Breadth
(Feet)

Depth
(Feet)

Volume 3
Chambers
(Liters)

1.5

1.5

560

11,500

1.5

750

15,200

1.5

2.5

940

19,000

1000

20,200

2.5

1250

25,200

2.5

2.5

1575

31,500

2.5

1890

37,800

2250

45,360

3.5

3.5

3080

61,740

Approximate Cost
(Rs.)

STORAGE STRUCTURES:

Clean water from the roof can be stored in Underground sumps or Rain barrels for
further use after the suggested filtration methods.
How to calculate the Required Storage or Recharge structure capacity?
Calculation of Storage volume as per BBMP Regulation:
The required storage can also be calculated as per the BBMP regulations. As per the
regulation the storage structure should be designed at 20 Litres per square Meter of the roof.
Eg: If the roof area is 100 SqM then the storage or recharge structure capacity will be
100 x 20 = 2000 Ltrs
Calculation of storage / recharge volume based on the average rain fall:
The storage or Recharge structure capacity can be calculated by the amount of runoff
from your roof taking into consideration the losses due to evaporation, leakages etc...
The optimum storage = Roof Area in SqM
in mm

x Runoff Co-Efficient (0.9) x Average Rainfall

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Runoff co-efficient is the percentage of water from the roof that comes down in the rainwater
pipes which is taken as 90% as about 10% will be lost by evaporation, leakages etc...
Average Rain fall of Bangalore can be taken as 30mm
Eg: If the roof area of a building is 100 SqM then the storage or recharge structure capacity
will be
100 x 0.9 x 30 = 2700 Litres
Design of Underground Sump:
If a new underground sump has to be constructed for the above capacity the size of
the sump would be 1.5 M x 1.5 M x 1.2 M or 4 feet x 5 feet x 5 feet (Every Cubic feet holds
approximately 28 Ltrs of water)
Underground sumps up to 20,000 Litres can be constructed of brick or solid concrete
masonry. If the required volume is higher the sump must be constructed of RCC with proper
design.
NOTE: In most cases additional infrastructure like Sumps or recharge wells may not be
required. Existing tanks can easily be used to store rainwater.
Cost of Construction of a New Sump:
A new underground sump constructed out of brick masonry will cost approximately
Rs. 11 per liter and RCC sump costs approximately Rs. 14 per liter
For the above tank capacity, the cost of construction in Brick Masonry will be 2700 x 11 =
Rs. 29,700
The cost of Construction in RCC would be 2700 x 14 = Rs. 37,800
Storage in Rain Barrels:
Rainwater can also be stored in HDPE tanks for secondary uses. This procedure
involves construction of a small pedestal and placing the HDPE Tank on the Pedestal and
connecting the rainwater pipe to the Tank after First rain Separation unit. The water stored in
the rain barrel can only be used for non potable purposes like gardening, car washing etc...
Proper overflow pipe should be provided in order to avoid water logging near the rain barrel.

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Typical Rain barrel installed at site:

Approximate Cost of Rain barrel Installation:

Rain barrel
Capacity (Ltr)

Cost of Tank
(Rs.)

Pedestal Cost
(Rs.)

Total Cost
(Rs.)

300

1950

2000

3,950

500

3250

3000

6,250

750

4875

3500

8,375

1000

6500

6000

12,500

1500

9750

6000

15,750

2000

13000

6000

19,000

5000

32500

9000

41,500

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RECHARGE STRUCTURES:

Ground water can be recharged using recharge wells. Ground water recharge helps in
reviving the underground water level and can act as an additional source of water if recharged
consistently.
Recharge well:
Recharge wells are constructed by digging the earth, placing concrete rings and
packing the outer space of the ring using boulders.

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Recharge Wells constructed at site:

Below table can guide you to decide on the size and depth of the recharge well for the
required capacity.
Diameter
Height
Approximate
Approximate Cost
Volume in Litres
(Rs.) *
2 Feet

10 Feet

880

9,000

3 Feet

10 Feet

1978

15,000

3 Feet

15 Feet

2967

18,600

3 Feet

20 Feet

3956

24,000

4 Feet

10 Feet

3517

22,500

4 Feet

15 Feet

5275

33,500

4 Feet

20 Feet

7034

44,500

4 Feet

25 Feet

8792

56,500

5 Feet

10 Feet

5495

38,400

5 Feet

15 Feet

8243

55,800

5 Feet

20 Feet

10990

69,600

5 Feet

25 Feet

13738

84,000

5 Feet

30 Feet

16485

94,000

Note: The Cost mentioned is approximate and varies on many factors like the soil condition,
ground water level, presence of rocks etc.

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Precautions to be taken while constructing a recharge well:

1. Make sure that the recharge well is not close to any of the walls or foundations or
column footings. The distance of the centre of recharge well from the footing should
be at least twice the depth of the footing.
Eg: If the depth of footing from the ground level is 1.5 Mtr the recharge well should
be at least 3 M away from the footing.
2. Make sure that the recharge well is not close to the basement wall or any other
underground structure. This will cause water seeping into the basement / cellar
through the walls during rainy season. The centre recharge well should be at least 3
times the distance of the depth of basement.
3. Make sure that the soil is not too loose while digging the recharge well. Extreme care
is required while digging recharge well in loose soil. Also sufficient safety measures
like shoring, safety helmets are taken care.
4. Make sure to cover the recharge well properly while construction.
5. Make sure to provide overflow pipe for the recharge well to avoid water logging
around the recharge well in case of overflow.
6. Recharge well depth can be restricted if the water table is high in the area. Do not
create a recharge well if the water table is within 5 feet from the ground level.
7. The Boulder packing should be done by skilled people in order to avoid caving or
collapse of recharge well.
8. Provide sufficient concrete / brick lining and make sure that water is not entering into
the recharge well from the sides as this may lead to collapse.

MAJOR ADVANTAGES OF RAINWATER HARVESTING:

A well planned RWH system can reduce up to 30% of the water requirement from
other conventional sources like bore well or municipal supply.
Rainwater Harvesting provides reliable supply of water in rainy season.
Can be a major source of drinking water if the other available sources of water are not
fit for drinking.
Reduces the electrical power consumption as pumping water from deeper bore wells
is reduced.
Reduces the consumption of municipal water hence reduces the stress on centralized
water supply board.
Reduces chocking or flooding of the storm water drains as most of the water is
captured at the household level.
Replenishes the groundwater and secures the availability of water for dry seasons.