Rooftop

Rainwater
Harvesting

Pre-implementation
guide for schools
 Why?
At the city level

Reduces water demand

Reduces energy demand lesser energy required for water distribution

Improves groundwater situation

In coastal areas, it can counter saline water intrusion into freshwater aquifers

Prevents urban flooding

Why?
At the school level
Reduces water bills

Sets an example for students and parents

Improves groundwater table if rainwater is recharged

Improves groundwater quality by dilution

(rainwater has nearly neutral pH and zero hardness)
How?
The concept is simple
Collect

Store

Use

Recharge if theres excess

ROOFTOP RAINWATER HARVESTING
Components

Catchment rooftop

Transportation Down take pipes

Filters First flush device

Leaf and grit filter

Storage Tank / well

 How much water can we harvest?
Catchment Area Amount of rainfall Volume of water received
(m2) (mm) (Litres)

x =
W
W

Rain Water Rain Water Collected

Collected From one From Both Sides of the
Side of the Roof Roof
The water that leaves the rooftop may be 65 90% of
the water that falls on it

Roof material absorbs some water

Evaporation losses

More water loss if roof is flat

Keep the roof clean

Remove leaves, plant debris,

bird and animal droppings, dead
rodents or birds

No tar / bitumen on the roof

No chemical pesticides or
fertilizers for rooftop garden
 Transportation

Gutter (open on top)

Downtake pipe (cylindrical)

PVC pipes preferred. Do not use lead pipes

Pipe size is calculated based on peak flow rates

(rooftop area and peak rainfall rate)
 Take care.

Clamp gutters and down take pipes well

Keep gutters clean of leaves

See that leaves do not clog a down take pipe

(Jaali or leaf filter may be needed at rooftop discharge point
but this may also be a problem if leaf debris collects on it
and water stagnates on the roof)

Gutters and down take pipes should be gently sloping

towards the storage tank, so that there is no stagnation of
water in the pipe
 Filters
Down take pipes
Over flow

Inlet Gravel Make your own filter with sand,

charcoal and gravel
Sand
Out flow
Storage tank Gravel

Or
First flush

Filter

Recharge tank Buy a filter off the shelf

http://www.rainyfilters.com/rainwater.aspx

Check and clean filters before and after each rainy season
First flush

The first rain carries with it a lot of filth from

the rooftop and dissolved air pollutants

This rainwater should be diverted away from

the storage tank using a first flush device.

Some filters have a first flush system

integrated in them

Check and clean first flush devices First flush standpipe

regularly.
STORAGE SIZE

Depends on

Rainwater availability Do a water

audit to check
Water requirement water
requirement.

Budget (storage tank is most expensive part of (rwh system)

Available space and aesthetics

Excess water can be diverted into a groundwater recharge system

STORAGE
Above ground

Ground level or Intermediate floor level

Just below roof

Save on pumping cost

Below ground
Storage tank features

Durable and no leaks

Built on a strong and stable substrate that can support the tank filled with water

Opaque presence of light can cause algal growth in tank

Secure and impervious cover

Vents to be covered with insect proof mesh

Located as close as possible to demand and supply points to reduce plumbing

 Storage tank features

Overflow pipe should be provided close to the top, to reduce dead space.

Overflow pipe diameter should be equal to inlet pipe diameter

Overflow pipe should lead excess water away from the foundation of tank and other buildings.
Preferably the overflow should be led into a groundwater recharge system or a garden

There will be sedimentation in the tank. Taps and pipes to draw water from the tank should
not be very close to the bottom to prevent sediments from entering the plumbing system
and clogging it.
 What can we use the rain water for?

If used for drinking, it is absolutely necessary to

check water quality in a lab and treat as required
Other factors
Some changes may be required in
plumbing, if retrofit

Clean rwh system regularly

Rooftop everyday
Tank after a rainy season
Filter after a rainy season
 Rainwater
Harvesting

DO
IT
NOW!