Eco-Raincatcher - A Rainwater Harvesting System

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND Document No.
FM-URD-006
DEVELOPMENT CENTER Revision No. 00
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ECO-RAINCATCHER: A RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM

Maricon A. Sabado, King Romel Evan D. Binayug, Adriel P. Bueno,
Aldrin John G. Cabatingan, Mark Joseph E. Reyes,
John Philip M. Rivera, *Ertie C. Abana
Abstract
This study sought to design a rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) utilizing polyethylene
barrels with environment-friendly filter (biosand and non-woven geotextile) and assess its
efficiency. Water samples from the system were tested to determine its suitability for drinking
and the cost was calculated to identify if the system is economical to use. It was revealed that
the pH level and color of the rainwater decreased by 1.64% and 54.17%, respectively, while
TDS value increased by 72.1 mg/L after filtration. There were no changes recorded for turbidity,
arsenic, cadmium, and lead but for the total coliform and fecal coliform count, the values were
reduced from 8.0 to less than 1.1 and a significant decrement (6.6×10 4 CFU/mL to < 30×100
CFU/mL) in heterotrophs was observed from the samples. The results imply that the filtered
rainwater is potable. Moreover, the eco-raincatcher was revealed to be 55.624% cheaper than
the commercial RWHS.
Keywords: eco-raincatcher, biosand, geotextile, potability
INTRODUCTION
Climate change and rapid population growth contribute to water scarcity aggravation.
This issue was seen to be a global threat thus, should be properly addressed. Rainwater
utilization is a reliable alternative to alleviate the effect of water scarcity. To prevent it from going
to waste as a run off, Rainwater Harvesting System (RWHS) is needed. It serves as the collector
and storage of rainwater which can be used for non-potable purposes and for drinking if treated.
RWHS installation was found to be an effective way to conserve water. It was revealed
that 500–800 m3 of water can be saved annually with the use of RWHS in regions that
experience wet season every year [1]. Studies [2,3,4] emphasized that the amount of water to
be saved depends on the tank size. Increasing the size of the tank will increase the amount of
water to be saved. However, a detailed rainfall information is needed in designing a RWHS [5].
In instances where such information is limited or unavailable, storage size can be estimated.
Another factor in determining the size of the system is cost. Considering the costumer’s
perspective of value is important [2,6] thus, sizing according to cost is usually followed for
optimization.
Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 1

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RWHS usually comes with a treatment facility. This helps improve the quality of the
harvested rainwater. Filtration facilities help remove microbial pathogens such as parasites and
viruses. Bag filters, cartridge filters, microfiltration membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and
nanofiltration membranes are some of the most efficient in terms of filtering rainwater. Moreover,
the use of ultraviolet light and chlorine are of great combination for effective disinfection [7].
However, this kind of filtration facility is expensive. For a low-cost filtration, natural filtration such
as gravel and sand can be used. Biosand filter (BSF), gravel and sand, is effective in increasing
the quality of water especially in terms of turbidity [8]. A geotextile fabric can also be added to
the system to increase filtration efficiency taking its porosity into consideration wherein the
smaller its pore size, the higher its filtration capacity [9].
Cagayan Valley Region in the Philippines is facing water supply shortage [10]. People
in the community address this problem through collecting rainwater but most of them ignore its
benefits. The adoption of rainwater harvesting should be encouraged to provide independent
and sustainable water supply in the future.
RWHS installation is one of the effective ways to conserve water however, it is costly.
To address the need for rainwater harvesting and aid the problem regarding the cost of the
RWHS at the same time, the researchers designed the eco-raincatcher. It is different from the
previous studies as inexpensive and environment-friendly materials were employed. The
system does not need electricity and water treatment chemicals to operate. It saves energy and
does not harm the environment while conserving water thus, it is named eco-raincatcher. In this
study, the size of the storage tank was estimated considering the cost of materials due to limited
rainfall information and for commonalty usage.
Research Objectives
This study designed a rainwater harvesting system with geotextile and biosand filters
and assessed its efficiency. Specifically, it achieved the following objectives:
1. Test the potability of the pure and filtered rainwater in terms of their chemical and
microbiological properties.
2. Determine the cost of the RWHS.
3. Create an eco-raincatcher assembly guide pamphlet.
Significance of the Study
This research developed an alternative design of RWHS incorporating environment-

friendly materials to reduce its cost. This will aid the problem of areas experiencing water
scarcity. Also, it will help people conserve water leading to decrease in electrical energy

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consumption using a system with an affordable price. The collected rainwater can either be
used immediately or stored for dry season. RWHS designers can use the results of the study in
coming up with efficient designs for those who cannot afford expensive RWHS.
Related Works
A previous study [11] evaluates the most cost-efficient RWHS using economic analysis
for a certain type of structure. The design of RWHS generally consists of a catchment area, a
filter, a storage tank, pipes, and an overflow unit. The main operational criteria that determine
operational efficiency in terms of economic feasibility are rainfall, catchment area, tank volume,
water consumption, and the efficiency of runoff collection and the filter.
A study [5] revealed that scheming domestic RWHS cannot be standardized. There are
many things to consider in designing RWHS and a detailed rainfall information is required. In
the study, the authors extended the methodology to estimate the size of tank to be used if rainfall
data are unavailable by regionalizing the study area.
It was stated that there are numerous parameters to consider when selecting RWHS
[12]. The study evaluated a variety of reports and developed a 3-step framework that can be
understood and selected by an average person with a minimum of technical understanding.
Step 1 consists of obtaining input data and choosing a suitable RWHS model. Daily precipitation
data may be collected for a long period from local metrological stations and water consumption
data may be obtained from the water bank account. The installation site may be selected once
the optimum size of the water tank has been calculated. The step 2 in design guidelines of
RWHS in the study is more technical and very important. In this step, there are four technical
things to consider which are construction cost, reliability analysis, maintenance cost, and cost-
benefit analysis. All necessary data, such payback duration, benefit-cost ratio, capacity,
reliability, water conservation, and life cycle assessment must be collected in step 3 which is
the final step. Once all the details have been collected, it would provide a guidance for the ideal
RWHS selection. However, the most considered factor in the creation of the system is cost [2].
Rainwater collected from the roof is generally combined with dirt, leaves, plant debris,
silt, and other unwanted matter. Rainwater should be filtered before being stored in the storage
tank due to this condition. Filtration can minimize impurities while also preventing mosquito
breeding in the storage tank. As a result, filtration system design is essential in RWHS. Non-
woven geotextile fabric is one of the various filtering systems used in RWHS. Non-woven
geotextiles are designed for filtration, separation, liner protection, and drainage applications. It
has been reported that geotextile-based filters may clog for particle sizes 7-50 µm due to
mechanical filtration [8,13]. A study [9] concluded that non-woven geotextile fabrics can be used

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as filter in RWHS and improve the quality of rainwater. This filtration concept with low
maintenance requirement, no energy required, and it does not affect the environment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Project Design and Specification
The proposed design of the RWHS is shown in Figure 1 and the filtration system is
illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 1 shows the different components of the RWHS. Figure 2 shows
a more detailed view of the filtration tank.
Blue plastic barrels or food-grade drums, 200 liters (3) and 160 liters (4), were used in
the system. These drums are made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) which makes it
inert and resistant to high pH contents and easy to recycle. The water treatment shown in Figure
2 composed of geotextile, sand, and gravel to naturally filter impurities from the rainwater. The
researchers used a 1.5 mm thick standard non-woven geotextile fabric having a 180 µm pore
size, which is best for filtration, that was placed on top and bottom of the BSF with fine sand,
S1 sand, and 3/4-inch gravel layered with a scaled height based on a past experiment [14].
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes with a diameter of 3 inches (1) served as the passage of water
in entering the system, a 1-inch pipe (5) was used to transfer the water from one tank to another,
and 90° elbows (6) were utilized to change the direction of water flow. This kind of pipe is durable
and free from bio-film contamination making it suitable to be utilized in the system. A float valve
(7) was installed to control the amount of water in the filtration tank. A DIY drain inlet filter (2)
was installed to avoid large particles from entering the system. Finally, faucets (8) were placed
on the collection and storage tank for water release.
The rainwater flowed from the gutter to the downspout and be strained in the drain inlet
filter before entering the collection tank. To avoid clogging, the gutter must be cleaned once a
month. The rainwater went to the filtration system. The non-woven geotextile fabric on top of
the BSF trapped tiny particles and avoid it to be mixed in the sand. It will be changed every after
3 months for maintenance. The other geotextile in between the sand and gravel helped separate
the aggregates. Moreover, gravity feed caused the water to transfer from the filtration tank to
the storage tank.

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Figure 1. The rainwater harvesting system and its parts.

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Figure 2. The filtration tank of the rainwater harvesting system.

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Project Development
The researchers selected a two-storey residential building, 7-meter-high, around Ugac

Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan that was suitable for RWHS installation. The height of the
house, roof structure, and availability of gutter were considered. Using the data gathered,
enhancement for the initial design of the system was done. This served as the basis to
determine the actual number of materials to be utilized. As preparation for the system building,
listing the needed materials and canvassing for the prices were done. The creation of the RWHS
was undertaken once the necessary materials were bought.
The initial step in the creation of the system was cutting the pipes to attain the necessary
lengths. Then, boring holes in the drums that fit the pipes and faucet. The cleaned sand and
gravel were layered inside the 160-liter drum together with the non-woven geotextile fabric
which served as the treatment facility of the system and a permeability test was undertaken and
connecting the parts was the final step.
Testing and Evaluation
The system underwent a preliminary test before installation to ensure that it was properly
working. Water was poured until the system was full before releasing it from the faucets. After
checking if it was functioning well, the system was installed in the selected house for a week.
After one week, the researchers visited the system to record the data needed in the analysis.
The samples shown in Figure 3 were taken from the first and third drums to determine
the property changes of the rainwater after passing to the filtration tank and to test if it is suitable
for drinking. The bottles labeled as pure contain the water samples taken from the collection
tank while the bottles labeled as filtered contain the water samples from the storage tank. The
samples were given to the testing facility of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
to measure the quality of water in terms of its chemical and microbiological constituents.
Figure 3. Water samples taken from the system.

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Potential of Hydrogen (pH)
pH level is a measure of the water’s acidity/alkalinity in mg/L that can be determined using
a Conductivity meter. The neutral pH level of water is 7, pHs below 6.5 is acidic, and pH level
above 8.5 is alkaline [15].
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
TDS are the amount of materials, organic or inorganic, dissolved in water that are
measured using TDS meter [16]. Generally, the TDS level between 50-150 is considered as
the most suitable and acceptable for drinking purposes [17]. However, the set TDS level in the
Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water (PNSDW) can range up to 600 mg/L.
Turbidity
Turbidity is the measure of how clear a liquid is. It can be determined using a TDS meter
[18]. The World Health Organization (WHO) establishes that the turbidity of drinking water
should not be more than 5 NTU, and should ideally be below 1 NTU [19].
Color
Using a Spectrophotometer, water color is captured and evaluated. The standard color
for a potable water is 10 according to PNSDW but according to the United States
Environmental Protection (U.S. EPA) Agency for Secondary Drinking Water Regulations,
drinking water should possess less than 15 units in color [20].
Arsenic
The only inorganic chemical parameters accessible at the DOST testing facility were
arsenic, cadmium, and lead. The samples were digested and directly aspirated using Graphite
Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GFAAS).
A study proved that there is no arsenic content in rainwater but it was found in the roof
runoff. When the rainwater flows from the roof, it washes off dust particles that have settled on
the roof or have collected in the gutter or the dust present in BSF [21]. PNSDW recognized that
arsenic content must be less than 0.01 mg/L. However, according to WHO, long-term
consumption of water with arsenic over many years can increase the risk of cancer [22].
Cadmium
Cadmium may harm living organisms in both chronic and acute ways. Cadmium is
mostly obtained through municipal solid waste incinerators. Automobile tires and dumping of

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cadmium batteries are two further sources of cadmium [23]. The maximum permissible
cadmium content in PNSDW is less than 0.003 mg/L.
Lead
Air contamination causes rainwater to become acidic and cloudy, and adds heavy
metals such as lead in rainwater [24]. The presence of lead in rainwater will have an impact on
the health of community. It is recommended by PNSDW that the presence of lead in drinking
water is less than 0.01 mg/L.
Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform Count
Total coliforms are bacteria that are present in water and soil contaminated by surface
water and animal waste while fecal coliforms are total coliforms found in gut and feces of
animals [25]. These parameters are tested using the Multi-Tube Fermentation Technique. The
standard count of total coliform and fecal coliform in drinking water is less than 1 MPN/100 mL.
Heterotrophic Plate Count
Heterotrophs are water microorganisms that consumes organic carbon measured

through the Pour Plate Method [26]. Pour Plate method. Generally, the accepted number of
heterotrophs in drinking water is less than 500 CFU/mL to which the filtered rainwater conformed
to.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Figure 4 shows the eco-raincatcher installed at Pauly’s Residence, Ugac Sur,

Tugugegarao City. The system has a total height of 97cm excluding the elevation of the pipe.

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Figure 4. The installed eco-raincatcher.

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Chemical Test Result
Table 1. Chemical test result for pure and filtered rainwater.
Result Standard
Parameter Method Used
Specification
Pure Filtered
6.5-8.5
pH @ 24.8°C 6.1 6 Potentiometry
5.0-7.0**
Total Dissolved 600

13.4 85.5 TDS Meter
Solids (mg/L) 10***
Turbidity (NTU) <1 <1 5 Nephelometric

Platinum-Cobalt
Color (CU) 24 11 10
Standard Method
Arsenic (mg/L) < 0.005 < 0.005 0.01 GFAAS
Cadmium (mg/L) < 0.0005 < 0.0005 0.003 GFAAS
Lead (mg/L) < 0.005 < 0.005 0.01 GFAAS
Based on the analysis shown in Table 1, the pure and filtered rainwater’s pH level are
6.1 and 6 (1.64% reduction), respectively, which indicate that both samples are acidic but not
acidic enough to be harmful in the body [15,27]. The decrease in pH level may be attributed to
the acid-forming reaction occurring within the filter medium [28].
It can be noted that the TDS of rainwater increased after the filtration as presented in
Table 1. The laboratory analysis revealed that the TDS of pure and filtered rainwater are
13.4mg/L and 85.5 mg/L, respectively. Both samples met the standard specification. The main
reason of the TDS increase is that the aggregates were cleaned with water the same day the
RWHS was assembled. The water remains in the aggregates mixed with the rainwater which
caused the increment of TDS value. To achieve a lower TDS level, it is recommended that the
rainwater should be boiled for at least 20 minutes [29]. Although some highly resistant
organisms may survive after boiling for this length of time, it is believed that such presence is
rare and so is acceptable [30].
Table 1 shows that pure and filtered rainwater turbidity have an identical result. Both
rainwater samples have a turbidity of less than 1 NTU which conformed to the standard
specification. BSF have been proven to reduce turbidity by 90% to 95%. BSF can reduce
turbidity by 64% on average [28,31]. However, on this study, it did not show any relevance to
the result.

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As can be seen in table 1, the filtered rainwater achieved a 54. 17% reduction of color
in the result. The pure rainwater has a color unit of 24 CU. After filtration, it changed to 11 CU
which gives the result for the filtered rainwater better than the pure rainwater.
The results obtained from the method utilized as indicated in Table 1 for the inorganic
chemical parameters (arsenic, cadmium, and lead) are lesser levels for both pure and filtered
rainwater compared to the standard. The result suggests that BSF has no impact on the
inorganic chemical characteristics of rainwater. The rainwater samples are safe to drink and will
not create harmful side effects since these do not exceed the inorganic chemical content
provided by PSNDW.
Microbiological Test Result
Table 2. Microbiological test result for pure and filtered rainwater.
Result
Parameter Standard Specification
Pure Filtered
Total Coliform Count
> 8.0 < 1.1 <1.1
(MPN/100mL)
Fecal Coliform Count
8 < 1.1 <1.1
(MPN/100mL)
Heterotrophic Plate Count
6.6×104 < 30×100 < 500
(CFU/mL)
The employment of geotextile together with BSF can reduce the number of bacteria
present in water [28]. Employing BSF alone can reduce total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria
in water by 91.52% and 91.39%, respectively [31]. Results showed that the total coliform and
fecal coliform count, in MPN/100mL, of the rainwater both decreased from 8 to < 1.1 after
filtration as presented in Table 2. The level of coliform in the filtered rainwater coincided with
the standard specification provided by PNSDW. Furthermore, the laboratory analysis revealed
that the heterotrophic plate count of the pure rainwater (6.6×10 4 CFU/mL) is significantly higher
than that of the filtered rainwater (< 30×10 0 CFU/mL).

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Eco-Raincatcher Cost
Table 3. Materials used and their prices.

Quantity Unit Material Unit Price Amount
1 pcs 160-liter blue drum 1300.00 1300.00
2 pcs 200-liter blue drum 1400.00 2800.00
1 pcs Float valve 450.00 450.00
2 pcs Faucet 50.00 100.00
2 pcs Female adapter for faucet 20.00 40.00
3 pcs 1-inch coupling 30.00 90.00
2 pcs 1-inch 90° elbow 30.00 60.00
1 pcs 1-inch 90° elbow with thread 30.00 30.00
2 pcs 3-inch 90° elbow 75.00 150.00
2 m2 1.5mm non-woven geotextile 148.00 296.00
3 m 3-inch PVC pipe 100.00 300.00
3 m 1-inch PVC pipe 33.33 100.00
1 pcs Screen 150.00 150.00
2 m3 Fine sand 300.00 600.00
1 m3 S1-crushed sand 300.00 300.00
1 m3 3/4" gravel 300.00 300.00
1 pcs Teflon tape 15.00 15.00
1 pcs PVC pipe cement 42.00 42.00
1 pcs Sealant 25.00 25.00
Total 7148.00
A RWHS with pumps and associated components that is sold in the market typically
costs ₱157.55 to ₱315.10 per gallon [32]. The eco-raincatcher can save 102.24 gallons of water,
therefore, buying a commercial RWHS that can save the same amount of water will cost
₱16,107.91 to ₱32,215.82. In addition, since it is electricity operated, the electric consumption
must be settled monthly anticipating rate changes over time. In this study, the eco-raincatcher
costs ₱7,148.00 which is 55.624% cheaper than the commercial RWHS. The total cost of the
system is shown in Table 3.
Pamphlet
The pamphlet shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 is to be used for the Service-Learning
Program (SLP) of the Community Engagement and CICM Advocacy Office (CECAO). The
pamphlet presents the materials used in the system, the installation process, connection details,
how the system works, and its maintenance. It will serve as a guide for the target community on
how to create their own RWHS which will aid their water insufficiency problem.

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Figure 5. Cover of the pamphlet.

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Figure 6. Inside the pamphlet.

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CONCLUSION
The study concludes that the eco-raincatcher is efficient with regard to its function and
cost. BSF with geotextile layers improved the quality of water in terms of its chemical and
microbiological properties except for the pH level and TDS. Although the pH level and TDS in
the filtered rainwater increased, the result still suggest that it is potable. Moreover, when
compared to the commercial RWHS, the eco-raincatcher is more economical considering that
both harvesting systems can reduce the impurities present in the rainwater.
Although the overall result suggest that the water is potable, it is better to further
enhance the parameters to reduce health risk when consumed. It is recommended that the
storage for the filtered rainwater should be cleaned thoroughly in order to prevent water
contamination. In addition to that, the sand and aggregates should also be dried out before
settling inside the filter tank. This will restrain the rainwater and tap water from mixing and
creating improbable pH and TDS results. To prevent the collection tank from falling, it should be
permanently attached to the storage tank. Furthermore, it is ideal to consider the size of the
storage tank and the amount of rain experienced in the selected area to save more water.
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Eco-Raincatcher - A Rainwater Harvesting System

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UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND Document No.

ECO-RAINCATCHER: A RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM

Keywords: eco-raincatcher, biosand, geotextile, potability

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 1

Significance of the Study

This research developed an alternative design of RWHS incorporating environment-

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 2

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Project Design and Specification

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 4

Figure 1. The rainwater harvesting system and its parts.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 5

Figure 2. The filtration tank of the rainwater harvesting system.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 6

The researchers selected a two-storey residential building, 7-meter-high, around Ugac

Testing and Evaluation

Figure 3. Water samples taken from the system.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 7

Potential of Hydrogen (pH)

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 8

Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform Count

Heterotrophic Plate Count

Heterotrophs are water microorganisms that consumes organic carbon measured

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Figure 4 shows the eco-raincatcher installed at Pauly’s Residence, Ugac Sur,

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 9

Figure 4. The installed eco-raincatcher.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 10

Chemical Test Result

Table 1. Chemical test result for pure and filtered rainwater.

Total Dissolved 600

Turbidity (NTU) <1 <1 5 Nephelometric

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 11

Microbiological Test Result

Table 2. Microbiological test result for pure and filtered rainwater.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 12

Table 3. Materials used and their prices.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 13

Figure 5. Cover of the pamphlet.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 14

Figure 6. Inside the pamphlet.

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 15

[2] M. Semaan, S. D. Day, M. Garvin, N. Ramakrishnan, and A. Pearce, “Optimal sizing of

[3] S. T. Khan, A. A. Baksh, M. T. I. Papon, and M. A. Ali, “Rainwater Harvesting System: An

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 16

[4] P. E. Abas and T. Mahlia, “Techno-Economic and Sensitivity Analysis of Rainwater

[6] E. R. Oviedo-Ocaña, I. Dominguez, S. Ward, M. L. Rivera-Sanchez, and J. M. Zaraza-Peña,

[8] T. K. Das, M. R. Shaibur, R. Shalihin and A. M. Mamun, “Performance Evaluation of Bio-

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 17

[11] C. Matos, I. Bentes, C. Santos, M. Imteaz, and S. Pereira, “Economic Analysis of a

[13] M. Z. Alam, A. H. M. F. Anwar, and A. Heitz, “Stormwater solids removal characteristics of

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 18

[21] W. Quaghebeur, R. E. Mulhern, S. Ronsse, S. Heylen, H. Blommaert, S. Potemans, C.

[22] “Arsenic,” Minnesota Department of Health, February 2018. [Online]. Available:

[24] K. Khayan, A. Heru Husodo, I. Astuti, S. Sudarmadji, and T. Sugandawaty Djohan,

Eco-Raincatcher: A Rainwater Harvesting System | 19

[28] D. A. Duran Romero, M. C. de Almeida Silva, B. J. M. Chaúque, and A. D. Benetti, “Biosand

[30] “Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water,” Environmental Protection Agency,

[31] T. K. Das, M. R. Shaibur, R. Shalihin, and A. M. Mamun, “Performance evaluation of bio-

[32] J. Hammerstrom and D. Pushard, “Is Rainwater Harvesting a Good Investment?,”