Rainwater Collection System in Buildings with
Filtration Processes for non-potable use
J. L. Almaraz-Olvera, J. M. Camacho-Mauricio, J. A.
Lindero-González, L. D. Torres-Rodríguez, A. García-Mejía
Department of Engineering
School of Engineering
Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
Querétaro, México
jalmaraz11@alumnos.uaq.mx.
Abstract—One of the biggest problems facing the world is
water scarcity. About 1.4 billion people live in regions that will
suffer severe water shortages in the first quarter of the next
century. Because of it must implement new technologies to reduce
these problems for the benefit of future generations. The objective
of this research is to improve rainwater harvesting systems for a
filtration process intended for domestic use in urban areas and at
the same time, trying to make it accessible to the general
population. The results show that the filtration percentage of the
slow sand filtration method is 90% solids, 70% zinc, 25%
phosphorus and 10% dissolved solids. Thanks to the installation
of a rainwater harvesting and recovery system, we can easily save
up to 50% of the potable water consumption at home.
Keywords—purification; rainwater; harvesting; domestic use;
water shortage
I. INTRODUCTION
Water is indispensable for humanity, without it we
would not exist; the importance of water for our survival is too
great, since it is intimately linked to our development and
sustenance. The amount of water on earth is approximately 1.41
million cubic kilometers, 98% of which is salt water in the
oceans, seas and subway deposits, while the other 2% is fresh
water and is found in ice sheets, glaciers, subway aquifers, in
the subsoil, in the atmosphere and in living beings. Only 2000
𝑘𝑚 of freshwater is available for human consumption,
excluding lakes [1].
The biggest water challenge we face globally is water
supply, this due to rapid population growth on the one hand and
technical problems, another major problem we face is water
scarcity, overpopulation and flooding [2].
About 1.4 billion people, a quarter of the world's
population or a third of the population of developing countries
live in regions that will suffer severe water shortages in the first
quarter of the next century [3].
José Gabriel Ríos Moreno
School of Engineering
Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
Querétaro, México
riosg@uaq.mx
𝐿
In Mexico families waste an average of 150 this
𝑑𝑎𝑦
because of bad habits, this raises the average per person from
𝐿 𝐿
200 to 300 , knowing that 100 is enough for urban per
𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦
capita domestic use, due to this new technologies must be
implemented to reduce these problems for the benefit of future
generations [4].
Something to keep in mind is that contaminated water
and inadequate sanitation directly affect the quality of life of
people. We must consider that rainwater is not contaminated,
but there are other factors that imply that this water worsens its
quality to be drinkable, such as plant and animal contamination,
the places and also if we capture it, where it will be stored, the
material from where it is collected and how is the collection
system [5].
The International Water Management Institute
(IWMI) has launched a long-term program to improve our
understanding of water issues and guide irrigation development
and related food security efforts as we move into the next
century. This section presents a synthesis of research conducted
by IWMI over the past four years to better understand the
magnitude of the water problem and the options available to
countries to address water scarcity. The focus is on irrigation,
which accounts for two-thirds of the freshwater consumed in
the world, more than 80% in developing countries and 83% in
Mexico [6].
The improvement of human quality is based on
innovation, which tries to solve problems in the most efficient
way possible, providing solutions that take into account the
environment and the shortcomings that may be faced,
innovation and the application of new technologies in this area
are essential to improve and ensure the welfare of living beings,
water is a very important liquid on earth but its mismanagement
causes environmental devastation, studies show that the largest
amount of water used in Mexico is for the agricultural and
livestock sector, which encourages us to modify the old
irrigation schemes and propose ideas that focus on the supply
and distribution of this vital liquid. These regions are home to
75% of the country's population. Irrigated agriculture in Mexico
claims most of the national extractions, with 71% of the total,
while industrial sectors represent 20% and households the rest
[7].
𝐿 acceptability among the people of Dehradun, India where the
In Querétaro, people spend approximately 170 ,a
𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝐿
family of 4 people spends approximately 680 or 4,760 liters
𝑑𝑎𝑦
(𝐿) of water per week, if the average water tank has about 750
liters (𝐿), this is equivalent to emptying it completely 6 times
per week. Drinking water is a limited resource in the world.
Only 2% is potable and it is not evenly distributed around the
world, which means that in many places, such as Querétaro, we
need to bring it from farther away [8].
Far from seriously considering what are the origins of water
scarcity in the world, it seems that the idea is being imposed at
all costs that it is going through a severe crisis that can
annihilate life on the planet, thus creating an environment of
confusion. conducive to accept privatization without much
resistance as the only possible option to such a serious dilemma.
From a geostrategic perspective, granting water management
concessions to private companies and, above all, to foreign
firms, is equivalent to promoting the vulnerability of the
population and its territory in the face of interests other than
those pursued by each national State [9].
It is accepted that a change in consumption behavior is
necessary for household water that makes its influence on the
availability of this resource more sustainable. It is also accepted
that it is essential to know the determinants of behavior so that
any attempt to improve current drinking behavior can be
successful. In this sense, not only can external stimuli be
required that promote a reduction in consumption, such as an
increase in the price of consumption, but also that mediational
processes be developed within the family [10].
Far from seriously considering what are the origins of water
scarcity in the world, it seems that the idea is being imposed at
all costs that it is going through a severe crisis that can
annihilate life on the planet, thus creating an environment of
confusion. conducive to accept privatization without much
resistance as the only possible option to such a serious dilemma.
From a geostrategic perspective, granting water management
concessions to private companies and, above all, to foreign
firms, is equivalent to promoting the vulnerability of the
population and its territory in the face of interests other than
those pursued by each national State [11].
The three key elements of the system are (i) a
collection surface, (ii) gutters and (iii) a water tank. The first
should be large enough to intercept in a year no less than the
annual water requirement of the building occupants. The
second element, gutters, is usually the most economical of the
three, but is often overlooked. The third poses the greatest cost
burden. Storage capacity must be large enough to buffer both
short-term fluctuations in water use and long-term fluctuations
in rainfall [12].
This study explores the awareness of rooftop rainwater
harvesting systems, attitudes towards them and their
results indicate that rooftop rainwater harvesting is acceptable
to the people, as rooftop rainwater harvesting systems are
becoming quite prominent internationally due to their low cost
and high efficiency, however for the majority of the population
this is a new concept that they require more knowledge to make
it a priority option [13].
Increasing pressure on water resources in closing
basins leads farmers to modify their behavior to conserve water
and consider additional, unutilized water sources in attempts to
improve the supply and reliability of irrigation water [14].
Over the past number of years, many countries have
experienced an increase in droughts and floods due to climate
change. Ethiopia and Kenya are expected to have precipitation
levels that will continually decline or remain at an historical
low, as temperatures are expected to keep increasing [15].
Despite the current and projected increase in
urbanization and the resulting vulnerability, the literature on
climate change adaptation in developing countries is
geographically biased towards rural areas, causing
misinformation and low awareness [16].
Partial redistribution from the large flower companies
to the communities led the former to find other sources of water,
adopting three main technological innovations. Reservoirs store
water from canals and greenhouse roofs. Almost all large
companies have two reservoirs: one at the top to store canal
water and one at the bottom to collect rainwater from
greenhouse roofs [17].
Rainwater samples were collected in the western
sector of Mexico City (MC) and Rancho Viejo (RV), 80 km
west-southwest of MC, from 2001 to 2005, and in Orizaba City
(OC), about 90 km from the Gulf of Mexico. Rainwater samples
were treated in the field and analyzed by fluorescence in the
laboratory confirming hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2). The (H2O2)
concentration in rainwater is controlled by a complex
combination of rainfall intensity, flushing processes and
Hydrogen (H) formation in the cloud and Oxygen (O), acting
simultaneously, hydrogen peroxide in rainwater was
significantly and negatively correlated with sulfate in both MC
and RV, but not, however, in OC [14].
The current paper focuses on examining the reported
microbial quality of rainwater supplies. Most of the microbial
contamination is derived from debris and fecal material
deposited on the roof surface, primarily from birds. The
prevalence and level of contamination varies widely, both in
terms of indicator organisms and pathogens. Gastrointestinal
pathogens such as Campylobacter spp, Salmonella spp,
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. have been isolated from
harvested supplies, although these may not always be of an
infectious type to humans leading to the conclusion that in the
UK and much of the world, there are currently no regulations
regarding the microbial quality of rainwater harvested for non-
potable use , although there are generally standards relating to
the plumbing required to ensure that potable and non-potable
supplies remain separate [15].
The following research proposes a sustainable alternative to
use rainwater in homes in urban areas and with this to maximize
the use of drinking water only using it as necessary, and with
the water collected by the collection system to do the secondary
activities such as washing clothes, dishes, household cleaning
and other activities. But we put special emphasis on the
feasibility that the large-scale implementation of this product
would bring enormous environmental benefits and reduce water
stress that is currently being caused by the high demand for
drinking water in large urban areas, also mention that it would
bring an economic benefit by reducing water bills, this makes
it a great investment and way to contribute to the improvement
of the environment emaciated by the overexploitation of this
vital liquid.
As rain is a natural cleaning mechanism, we can use it for
many daily applications that do not need to have a potable
quality and for which rainwater is an excellent option, this can
reduce more than 40% of the consumption of drinking water in
a home. The importance of capturing, storing, and using
rainwater for these purposes is of great relevance for most
populations, especially those who do not have access to this
vital liquid or for whom it is in short supply. Fig. 1 shows some
𝐿
domestic consumption in which at least 77 can be perfectly
𝑑𝑎𝑦
substituted by rainwater [12].
Figure 1. Consumption substitutable by rainwater [11].
Given the current climatic situation that the world is facing,
water scarcity is one of the problems that has the greatest
impact, since it is the most important liquid for living beings
and unfortunately is one of the most wasted and undervalued, it
is especially important to take actions for the care, protection
and good management of this important liquid.
The objective of this research is to improve rainwater
harvesting systems for a filtration process intended for domestic
use in urban areas and at the same time, trying to make it
accessible to the general population.
THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The total possible rain catchment will be equal to the average
annual rainfall depending on the area, by the surface or area of
the catchment area, this is calculated to have an approximate
data of all the water that we can capture, based on the data of
precipitation in Queretaro, the month with the highest rainfall
is the month of September with an approximate value of 158.6
[20].
The rainwater harvesting area is equal to the volume
calculated on the basis of the design population Equation (1),
taking into account the 30-year growth curve, or a 20 or 30%
increase in the current population, over the height of the annual
precipitation with a recurrence of 1.25 years minus 10% for
losses due to splashing and in the pipes [16].
𝑆 =
𝑉
(1)
𝐴
𝑚3
Total rainfall capture possible 𝐶 Equation (2) will be
𝑎ñ𝑜
equal to the average annual precipitation depending on the area
𝑚𝑚
𝑃 , by surface or area of the catchment area 𝑆 𝑚2 , we
𝑎ñ𝑜
calculate this to have an approximate figure of all the water that
we will be able to capture [17].
𝑃
𝐶 = (2)
𝑆
𝑚3
The supply (𝑆𝑎) of water in the storage tank is calculated
𝑎ñ𝑜
by multiplying the roof area (𝐴𝑡𝑚2 ) which in this case would
be the collection area but already specified, due to the
𝑚𝑚
rainfall(𝑃 ), by the runoff coefficient (𝐶𝑒), as observed in
𝑎ñ𝑜
the Equation (3), which depends on the material the roof is
made of and is defined as the rainwater that actually runs off
without being evaporated or absorbed by the material. It is very
important since the amount of water we can capture depends on
the material.
𝑆𝑎 = 𝐴𝑡 ∗ 𝑃 ∗ 𝐶𝑒 (3)
For the analysis of the operation of the storage of the
captured water in Equation (4), using the principle of
conservation of mass, where: is the variation of the volume; is
the temporal interval of analysis (in this case 24h); is the
volume of daily income to the storage due to precipitation; are
the extractions evaluated according to the required
consumption. It does this in order to be able to observe what is
 working correctly and efficiently in our water catchment system
[22].
𝑑𝑣
= 𝑄𝐼 − 𝑂 (4)
𝑑𝑡

For capture systems you have different aspects that must be

taken into account for the implementation of these systems.

i) A. Technical factors

There must be a clear understanding of the elements that

make up this system: The material factors, natural conditions,
variables and expectations of the intended use of the rainwater b) Sistem with 2 storage places.
collected.

1. Depending on the need or priority, the water can be In the b) Fig. 2 it is observed that purified water is directly
used for: Simple uses such as cleaning floors, toilets allocated to the places of use, this is for places where it does not
or toilets, cleaning clothes, watering plants, cleaning rain much and where no more water is required, and yet if there
cars and others. is a storing rainfall a certain amount of water less than the one
2. Number of members of the family or community to that can be stored for subsection a).
benefit and current consumption.
3. Rainfall in the city.

ii)B. The design of a rainwater

Harvesting system: it is important to note that a minimum

rainwater harvesting system can provide 100% of the water, at
least during the months of the rainy season [23].

Two different models are proposed with different results so that

people based on their available budget choose the best option.

It is important to note that a minimum catchment system will

be able to deliver 100% of water at least during the months of
the rainy season, as long as the ratio between the catchment and
treatment capacity and the annual average rainfall in the area is
equal to the water consumption (in the same period of time) of
a given family or community.
In the a) of Fig. 2 it is observed that the purified water is raised
by a hydroneumatic pump to the tinaco so that the water to
purify itself can be stored and thus have more water capacity
for its subsequent use.
c) Sistem with 1 storage place.
Figure 2. Storage capacities difference [11].
For the water catchment surface:
1. Material and its behavior in the face of rainwater
runoff.
2. Mud and concrete: It is an easily available material but
due to its texture 10 percent is lost, it is proposed that
this material be painted to reduce what is lost.
3. Metal and fiberglass: For this material the smoother
the better, they are light and easy to install but are
expensive.
4. Plastic sheets: They are easy to install although they
tend to lose their characteristics in the sun [ 23].
 The gutters can be made of different materials, taking into
account that their main function is to collect water. There are 3
considerations regarding gutters. The width of the gutter is The prototype ozone generator consists of three parts:
important to efficiently capture water, too narrow will not a high voltage source, two corona discharge cells with
capture all the water. An optimum width is between 20 and 30 cooling, and an air treatment unit. The air treatment stage
cm. The depth of the gutter should be sized to convey all the and the voltage control circuit were installed in a cabinet
that has on its front panel the accessories to operate the
water it captures to the pipe that carries it to the tank. An
optimal depth is between 10 and 20 cm. Positioning the gutter generator [27].
close to the edge of the roof is essential to maximize water d) III. RESULTS
capture [24].
Talking about rainwater capture systems today could be
i)C. Filtration methods considered something common due to the interest that people
1. Slow sand filtration. who seek to save money by implementing new more
economical systems that meet their needs.Thanks to the
The slow filter is mainly used to eliminate installation of a rainwater harvesting and recovery system, we
turbidity characteristics, although by means can easily save up to 50% of the potable water consumption at
of physical and biological processes it can eliminate home.
pathogens present in water unfit for human
consumption. These systems are low cost because they The water that is stored must first go through a filter or a
use local materials such as sands of different
purification system, and depending on this system to know so
sizes, gravel, geotextile and plastic containers
that water can be allocated, we proposed 2 purification systems,
[25].
Table 1 shows the main differences between the 2 systems.
The method of disinfection by slow filtration, as the
circulation of raw water at low velocity through a porous
sand blanket of different granulometries. During the
process, the impurities come into contact with the surface
of the particles of the filter media and are retained for a TABLE I. COMPARISON BETWEEN FILTRATION SYSTEMS .
period of time, developing additional chemical and
biological degradation processes that reduce the retained
matter to simpler forms, which are taken into solution or Slow sand filtration. Ozone filtration.
remain as inert material until subsequent removal or
cleaning [26]. Filtration Percentage
The operation and maintenance tasks of the filtration
system include adjustments and measurement of the flow 90 % solids, 70% zinc, 25% Mainly removes bacteria,
rate, monitoring of the quality of the water produced, phosphorus and 10 % total viruses, molds and mildew.
cleaning of the sand surface, which is done by "scraping" dissolved solids.
the bed in its sand layer at the upper level (approximately 5
cm of sand), washing and storage of the sand, and Benefits
subsequent reconstruction of the filter bed. This
maintenance period is variable and is directly related
to the quality of the water entering the system, which is why High filtration rate Removes contaminants from
it can vary from weeks to months, depending on the Can treat direct rain water water
decrease in the flow rate at the filter outlet [26]. Alternative to chlorination
The major advantage of the system lies in its
simplicity, which allows its use by rural dwellers in Disadvantage
developing countries. Its construction, operation and
maintenance are simple. Finally, it has the advantage of
Not effective in eliminating Costly
generating organoleptic changes in the quality of water for
human consumption [26]. bacteria, viruses Low doses may not
effectively inactivate
2. Ozone filtration. bacteria and viruses
The ozonation system consists of an ozone generator,
a contact chamber and a device (activated carbon
filter) that removes ozone that is not dissolved
in the water [27]. Shelf life
 Total Mg/L 20 0.064 0.058
Phosphorus
3 to 4 years 1 year

Fecal NMP/100 23 9
coliforms ml Undetecta
ble

Table 2 shows the amount of particles that can be retained

from different compounds We proposed a house for the modeling of the design in
CAD, the house measures 8m x 10m x 3m, taking into account
that it has only one floor, and that 2 people live, the design of
TABLE II. QUALITY ANALYSIS [27]. the gutters was designed based on the requirements mentioned,
having a width of 25 cm so that the water can pass and reach
the sedimentary without any problem, The cistern was
dimensioned based on the amount of rain that falls in the state
Sampling 2013-November-25 of Queretaro each month, so that depending on the amount of
date water required by the inhabitants, the water will be available to
them.

Analysis 2013-Nov-25 to 2013-Nov-28

period

Contaminant Unit of Límit Results New lagoon"

measure "New gap" results after
before treatment
treatment

Fats and oils Mg/L 15 <5.98 <5.98

Figure 3. Example of Water catchment with storage.

Floating Unit 0 0 0
matter

e) III. CONCLUSIONS
Sedimentable Mg/L 2 <1 <1
solids
During this research, information was gathered on the use
of rainwater, as well as its collection and the different filtration
methods, in order to reduce water consumption in homes. to
Total Mg/L 150 20 14 take advantage of the best rainy months in the state of
suspended Queretaro.
solids
The objectives were approached in a particular way to
decide the appropriate method by means of an exhaustive
Total Nitrogen Mg/L 40 <1.99 <1.99 national and international investigation to have a greater clarity
in the mistakes that can be made for a good treatment and water
collection.
We determined the way to conduct the water to a point, this
with the help of slopes by integrating information from
textbooks and gutters, which direct the water to a process of
filtration and sedimentation to be stored afterwards.
For the filtration process, two methods were proposed,
which are ozone and sand; due to its low cost, the slow sand
filtration method was chosen, which is made up of sand of
different granulometries, this separates the large particles, so
the water would not be drinkable because it contains bacteria
and microorganisms, to eliminate these would take another
method that would be purification, previously in articles
obtained by research.
The different uses that can be given to the water after
filtration are to recharge the toilet tank, irrigation, cleaning of
pavements and washing the car; for greater savings in the home.
It was also compared with other collection systems for other
types of constructions and we observed that the most used
systems are the ones we proposed.
It was also observed that another design proposal is needed
so that the filtration system has sufficient capacity to store the
water to be filtered, and the filtered water that comes out is the
same as the water that arrives and thus avoids wasting water.
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