LANDSCAPE - II

RAINWATER HARVESTING
Submitted by,
SRUSHTI GARADE – PATIL - 180038
AYUSH KANDGE - 180041
NIKHIL KAR - 180042
DNYANESHWARI KHATAVKAR - 180043
KOMAL LOKHANDE - 180046
SAKSHI VAIDYA - 180058
ABHILASH BHADANGE - 170061
INTRODUCTION
Rainwater harvesting (RWH): technology used for collecting and storing rainwater for human use from
rooftops, land surfaces or rock catchments.

One of the world’s most important ancient water supply techniques (practiced for more than 4,000 years),
is beginning to enjoy a resurgence in popularity.

Rainwater is an important water source in many areas with significant rainfall but lacking any kind of
conventional, centralised supply system.
Rainwater is also a good option in areas where good quality fresh surface water or groundwater is lacking.

It could be used as a supplement to piped water supply e.g. for toilet flushing, washing and garden spraying

RWH is a decentralised, environmentally sound solution, which can avoid many environmental problems
often caused in centralised conventional large-scale water supply projects.
TYPES OF RAINWATER HARVESTING
SYSTEMS
1. Roof catchments
• Simple roofwater collection
system for households
• Larger systems for educational
institutions, stadiums, airports,
and other facilities
• Roofwater collection systems
for high-rise buildings in
urbanised areas
2. Ground catchments (man-made)
3. Rock catchments (natural,
impervious outcrops)
Typical Domestic Rainwater Harvesting System
4. Collection of storm water in
urbanized catchments for recharge
Source: http://www.eng.warwick.ac.uk/DTU/rainwaterharvesting/index.html
Ground Catchment System Ground Catchment System

Source: ENSIC (1991) 4

 Rock Catchment System Use of Harvested Rainwater

 Non-potable purposes
(mainly in urban areas)
- Gardening
- Flushing
- Washing
clothes/cars

 Potable purpose after

ensuring quality
(mainly in rural and
Source: ENSIC (1991) peri-urban areas)
Small-scale rainwater harvesting systems and uses

6
RWH IN URBAN AREAS
In view of increasing migration to urban area and the emergence of mega-cities in the next millennium, it is
imperative that water supply systems should be evolved to cater for such a development.

Many government agencies and municipalities worldwide provide grants/subsidies and technical know-how to
promote RWH system.
 In case of roof catchment systems, there is sufficient flexibility to utilize systems that will be adaptable to suit
all socio-economic levels of population including the urban poor.

 Examples of typical options in urban area

- Rainwater use in households as a supplement
- Public institutions
- High rise building in high density urban areas
- Collection of rainwater in industrial areas
- Use of runoff in airports
- Collection of rainfall from public open spaces for recharging
ADVANTAGES OF
RWH
 RWH systems provide water at or near the
point where water is needed or used.
 Rainwater is relatively clean and the quality
is usually acceptable for many purposes with
little or even no treatment.
System is independent and therefore
suitable for scattered settlements.
 Local materials and craftsmanship can be
used in construction of rainwater system.
 Ease in maintenance by the owner/user
 Provides a water supply buffer for use in times
of emergency or breakdown of the public water
supply systems
LIMITATIONS OF RWH
The initial cost (mainly of storage tank) may prevent a
family from installing a RWH system.
 The water availability is limited by the rainfall intensity
and available roof area.
 Mineral-free rainwater has a flat taste, which may not
be liked by many.
 The poorer segment of the population may not have a
roof suitable for rainwater harvesting.
 Domestic RWH will always remain a supplement and
not a complete replacement for city-level piped supply or
supply from more ‘reliable’ sources.
 Factors affecting RWH system design
Rainfall quantity (mm/year)
 Rainfall pattern
RWH System Components  Collection surface area (m2)

 Catchment Area/Roof  Runoff coefficient of collection (-)

-the surface upon which the rain falls  Storage capacity (m3)
 Gutters and Downpipes  Daily consumption rate (litres/capita /day)
-the transport channels from catchment surface to storage  Number of users
 Leaf Screens and Roofwashers  Cost
-the systems that remove contaminants and debris  Alternative water sources
 Cisterns or Storage Tanks
-where collected rainwater is stored
 Conveying
-the delivery system for the treated rainwater, either by gravity or pump
 Water Treatment
-filters and equipment, and additives to settle, filter, and disinfect
 ROOF TYPES RUNOFF
CALCULATION OF RAINWATER COEFFICIENT
Runoff coefficient for rainwater harvesting SLOPING ROOFS
The runoff coefficient for any catchment is the ratio of the volume of
Concrete/Asphalt 0.9
water that runs off a surface to the volume of rainfall that falls on
the surface. A runoff coefficient of 0.8 means that 80% of the rainfall Metal 0.95
will be collected. So, the higher the runoff coefficient, the more the Aluminium 0.7
rain that will be collected. FLAT ROOFS
Bituminous 0.7
For calculation we take the following formula:
mean annual rainfall in mm x area in m² x runoff factor = Tar and Gravel 0.80 – 0.85
collected rainwater in litres. Level cement 0.81

A house with a roof area of 9.00 x 6.50 m is to be

furnished with catchment and storage facilities. The
mean annual rainfall is 450 mm.
Calculation of rainwater:
9.00 x 6.50 x 450 x 0.9 = 23895 litres
Which is 23.895 cum
Approx lets consider 24.500 cum
a reservoir of 4.0 m diameter on a filling height of 1.80 m
has a storage capacity of 23 000 litres.
 Roof finish 2 corrugated iron tanks, each of 9 000 litres,
Not all materials used for roofing finishes are equally good; would be cheaper
but the most commonly used material, metal sheeting
(corrugated galvanized iron and aluminium sheets), is very
suitable for rainwater catchment; likewise, brick tiles of all
variations, and also thatch can be used, but these are less
efficient.

Roof type and catchment

• The shape of any given catchment area has a considerable influence on the catchment possibilities. Therefore
different types of roofs provide different catchment possibilities.
• A 90° angle in the gutter should be avoided. It is extremely difficult to adjust gutters in such a way that water really
flows easily downwards.
• Flat roofs can be used for catchment if they are furnished with an edge, keeping the water on the slab until it has
drained through the gutter or downpipe.
• However, using a flat roof for rainwater harvesting is not very efficient because of the extended runoff-time and the
evaporation losses. One way to improve the catchment is to provide the slab with a sloping cement screed.
Constructing a waterproof edge on a flat roof is rather difficult because of the temperature expansion.
• The most useful roofs are the single and double pitch roofs.
 Storage System
There are several options available for the storage of rainwater. A variety of materials and different shapes of
the vessels have been used.
 In general, there can be two basic types of storage system:
- Underground tank or storage vessel
- Ground tank or storage vessel
· The choice of the system will depend on several technical and economic considerations like, space
availability, materials and skill available, costs of buying a new tank or construction on site, ground
conditions, local traditions for water storage etc.
The storage tank is the most expensive part of any RWH system and the most appropriate capacity for any
given locality is affected by its cost and amount of water it is able to supply.
 In general, larger tanks are required in area with marked wet and dry seasons, while relatively small tanks
may suffice in areas where rainfall is relatively evenly spread throughout the year.
 Field experiences show that a universal ideal tank design does not exist. Local materials, skills and costs,
personal preference and other external factors may favour one design over another.
Underground lime and bricks cistern
Gutter sizing
Recommended gutter widths for use in humid tropics One example of a flat
screen over the gutter to
Gutter width (mm) Roof area (m2) keep large debris out of
served by 1 gutter the tank.

55 13 A problem with gutter

screens is that they require
60 17 a lot of maintenance to
65 21 keep leaves and debris
from piling up and
70 25 blocking the screens.
75 29 Also, dirt on the leaves can
80 34 still be washed into the
storage tank.
85 40
90 46
95 54
100 66

Source: (Still and Thomas, 2002) Source: Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawaii
 Leaf Eater®/Leaf Beater®/Leaf Catcha®

Source: http://www.rainharvesting.com.au
Rainwater Harvesting in Presidential Estate, New Delhi, India
- About 7000 residing in the estate and about 3000
visitors every day. There is also famous “The Mughal
Garden”.
- Total water demand 2 million litres per day
- 30% of demand met by Groundwater wells in the
estate and groundwater level is going down rapidly)
 Rainwater from the northern side of the
roof and paved areas surrounding the
presidential palace is diverted to an
underground storage tank of 100,000 litres
capacity for low quality use (5%).
 Overflow the rainwater storage tank is
diverted to two dug wells for recharging.
 Rainwater from southern side of the roof
is diverted for recharging a dry open well.
Rainfall runoff from the staff residential area
is also diverted to dry wells.
 15 m deep recharge shafts have been
constructed for recharging.
 IMPORTANCE OF NATIVE PLANTS
A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction. India is blessed
with strong biodiversity treasure & we have thousands of native plant species to select from.

SIGNIFICANCE OF NATIVE PLANTS

Low maintenance:
Once established, native plants generally require little maintenance.
Beauty:
Many native plants offer beautiful showy flowers, produce abundant colorful fruits and seeds, and
brilliant seasonal changes in colors from the pale, thin greens of early spring, to the vibrant yellows and
reds of autumn. 
Healthy Places for People:
Most of lawns now-a-days are artificial consisting of various pesticides and chemicals on it. By choosing
native plants for your landscaping, you are not only helping wildlife, but you are creating a healthier
place for yourself, your family, and your community. 
Helping the Climate:
Landscaping with native plants can combat climate change. Many native plants, especially long-living
trees like oaks and maples, are effective at storing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. 
Conserving Water:
Because native plants are adapted to local environmental conditions, they require far less water, saving
time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water.
Wildlife
In addition to providing vital habitat for birds, many other species of wildlife benefits as well. They
provide protective shelter for many mammals. The native nuts, seeds, and fruits produced by these
plants offer essential foods for all forms of wildlife.
Native trees: Palash, Amaltash, Indian Coral tree, Sita Ashok, Indian cork tree, Neem, Peepal, Kadamba, Karanj.
Native shrubs: Kanchan, Shankasur, Ratrani, Mehendi, Gulmehndi, Kunti, Parijatak.
Native climbers: Clerodendron, Jai, Juhi, Krishna-Kamal, Green Champa
Native seasonal flowers: Utricularia, Balsam, Eriocaulon, Smithia, Vigna.

MEHENDI KRISHNA - KAMAL VIGNA

NEEM

JAI BALSAM
PALASH
RATRANI
RAIN GARDEN
• PLANT A RAIN GARDEN TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE WATER NATURE PROVIDES.
• WATER – IT’S ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL, BENEFICIAL AND FRUSTRATING ASSETS
FOR GARDENERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
• NO, A RAIN GARDEN WON’T NECESSARILY SOLVE ALL YOUR PLANTING PROBLEMS, BUT
IT’S ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MANAGE INCONSISTENT
RAINFALL IN YOUR BACKYARD.
• THE REWARDS ARE ALMOST ENDLESS: IT REDUCES THE RISK OF FLOODING AND
OVERLOADING STORM SEWERS, IT ALLOWS PLANT ROOTS AND SOIL TO FILTER OUT
IMPURITIES BEFORE THE WATER GOES BACK INTO THE GROUND, AND IT’S JUST PLAIN
GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
• WHILE MOST TREES, GRASSES AND OTHER PLANTS NATURALLY HELP INTERCEPT
RAINWATER, RAIN GARDENS CAN SOAK UP AS MUCH AS 30 PERCENT MORE WATER
THAN CONVENTIONAL LAWNS.
• IF PLANNED RIGHT, THEY ALSO PROVIDE A NATURAL HABITAT FOR BIRDS, AS WELL AS
BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER HELPFUL INSECTS.
WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?
• A RAIN GARDEN IS A DEPRESSION IN THE LANDSCAPE
DESIGNED TO CATCH AND FILTER THE WATER THAT
RUNS OFF YOUR ROOF, DRIVEWAY, WALKWAY, CO
MPACTED LAWN AREAS AND OTHER IMPERVIOUS
SURFACES.
• RAIN GARDENS ACT AS BUFFERS BY FILTERING
STORMWATER RUNOFF AND IMPROVING WATER
QUALITY BEFORE IT REACHES STORM DRAINS THAT
EVENTUALLY FLOW INTO STREAMS, RIVERS, AND
LAKES, RAIN GARDENS DO NOT HAVE TO BE
EXPENSIVE.
• WE WILL BE USING APU STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AS
OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM, ELIMINATING A MAJOR
COST.
• THE MAIN EXPENSE WILL BE PURCHASING THE NATIVE
PLANTS FOR THE AREA AND THE EXTRA SOIL AND
GRAVEL
 BENEFITS OF A RAIN GARDEN!
• BENEFITS OF A RAIN GARDEN! REDUCE STREAM FLOODING AND
STORM DRAIN OVERFLOW EVENTS.
• REDUCE POLLUTION SEDIMENTATION IN OUR WATERWAYS .
• PROVIDE HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE .
• RECHARGE GROUNDWATER, RAIN GARDENS ALLOW WATER TO FILTER
INTO THE GROUND RATHER THAN RUNNING ALONG THE SURFACE .
• INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE AND CURB SIDE APPEAL .
• EASY YARD MAINTENANCE, HARDY NATIVE PLANTS AND PERENNIALS
RETURN EACH YEAR, OUT-COMPETE WEEDS, AND ONCE ESTABLISHED
REQUIRE LITTLE TO NO WATERING IMPROVE NEIGHBORHOODS, WORK
TOGETHER WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS, CUT DOWN ON FLOODING,
INCREASE VEGETATION .
• DECREASE MUNICIPAL COSTS TO MAINTAIN THE STORM DRAIN
SYSTEM.
• LESS SEDIMENT IN THE STORM DRAINS MEANS LESS TIME AND
RESOURCES SPEND MAINTAINING AND CLEANING IT OUT.
 RAIN WATER TANK
• RAINWATER TANKS MAY BE CONSTRUCTED FROM
MATERIALS SUCH AS PLASTIC
(POLYETHYLENE), CONCRETE, GALVANIZED STEEL,
AS WELL AS FIBERGLASS AND STAINLESS
STEEL WHICH ARE RUST AND CHEMICAL-RESISTANT.
• FULL TANKS ARE USUALLY INSTALLED ABOVE
GROUND, AND ARE USUALLY OPAQUE TO PREVENT
THE EXPOSURE OF STORED WATER TO SUNLIGHT,
TO DECREASE ALGAL BLOOM.
• TANKS MAY BE COVERED AND HAVE SCREEN INLETS
TO EXCLUDE INSECTS, DEBRIS, ANIMALS AND BIRD
DROPPINGS.
• ALMOST ALL STEEL TANKS CURRENTLY PRODUCED
FOR HOUSEHOLD RAINWATER COLLECTION COME
WITH A PLASTIC INNER LINING TO INCREASE THE
LIFE OF THE TANK, PREVENT LEAKS AND PROTECT
THE WATER QUALITY.
STORAGE TANKS
• THESE TANKS MIGHT BE EITHER ABOVE GROUND OR UNDER GROUND OR PARTLY
UNDERGROUND AS INDICATED IN FIGURE 3.
• THE TANK SHOULD ALWAYS BE COVERED SO THAT WATER SHOULD BE CLEAN.
• THE STORAGE TANKS MAY BE MADE UP OF REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE, MASONRY ETC.
• THE SIZE OF THE TANK DEPENDS UPON FACTORS LIKE DAILY DEMAND, DURATION OF DRY SPELL,
CATCHMENT AREA, AND RAINFALL.
• UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS SHOULD BE SUITABLY LINED WITH WATER PROOFING MATERIAL
AND PREFERABLY HAVE A HAND PUMP INSTALLED FOR WITHDRAWAL OF WATER.
• THEIR TOP SHOULD REMAIN AT LEAST 300 MM ABOVE THE GROUND [3, 4].
• PRIOR TO THE USE OF STORAGE TANK, IT SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY CLEANED AND DISINFECTED
USING CHLORINE, BLEACHING POWDER, AND POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE ETC.
• MEASURES TO ENSURE THE CLEANLINESS OF WATER CAN ALSO BE KEPT IN THE STORAGE TANKS
FOR PERIODICAL DISINFECTION SO AS TO PREVENT THE GROWTH OF PATHOGENS.
RAIN GARDEN,ABOVE GROUND BARRELS AND
UNDERGROUND BARRELS IN RAIN WATER HARVESTIN G
• THE STORAGE CONTAINER (CISTERN, TANK) IS OFTEN THE MOST
VISIBLE OR RECOGNIZABLE COMPONENT OF A RWH SYSTEM.
• IT IS WHERE THE CAPTURED RAINWATER IS DIVERTED TO AND
STORED FOR LATER USE.
• THE MAIN GOAL OF THE STORAGE TANK IS SAFETY.
• IT SHOULD STORE WATER THAT IS SAFE TO USE, AND IT SHOULD BE
SECURE SO THAT CHILDREN OR ANIMALS CANNOT ACCESS THE
TANK.
• THERE ARE SEVERAL TOPICS RELATED TO STORAGE CONTAINERS
AND YOU SHOULD GO THROUGH EACH BEFORE MAKING A DECISION
ON PURCHASING ONE. PLEASE SEE EACH TOPIC BELOW.
ROOFTOP HARVESTING:
• ROOFTOP HARVESTING: IN THIS SYSTEM, THE ROOF ITSELF
BECOMES THE CATCHMENT AND RAINWATER CAN BE COLLECTED
FROM THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE / BUILDING (FIGURE
• THE WATER CAN EITHER BE STORED FOR UTILIZATION OR IT CAN BE
DIVERTED TO AN ARTIFICIAL RECHARGE SYSTEM.
• IN THIS METHOD, WATER CAN BE COLLECTED WITHOUT MUCH
EXPENSE. THIS METHOD IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AND IT CAN ALSO
HELP IN THE RECHARGE OF GROUND WATER LEVEL.
UNDERGROUND TANK
 Bio-swale

Designed to concentrate
or remove silt and pollution from surf ace runoff water
 Allows rainwater to soak into earth slowly
Design of a Bioswale
• Bioswale systems are generally preferred for areas with permeable grounds and relatively low
groundwater levels. The only construction activity it requires is the digging of a linear depression with
slanted walls (Parabolic or trapezoidal shapes are recommended with side slopes no steeper than 3:1).
A simple bioswale is divided into 4 different layers :
• The top layer of a bioswale is all about the closely-packed vegetation that provides a high amount of
surface area for contact with stormwater. The thicker and heavier the grasses, the better the swale can
filter out the pollutants. Specially chosen plants (native plants preferably) are planted that have high
nutrient uptake ability.

• A layer of sand is laid beneath the vegetation that serves as an absorbent. It causes colloids in murky
water to gather into larger masses and ease removal from the water.

• Below that layer is a layer of gravel, scoria or baked clay pellets enclosed in geotextile. These materials
have large empty voids, allowing the rainwater to drain off. The layer is packed in geotextile to prevent
the layer from becoming clogged by sludge or roots.

• An infiltration pipe/drain tube is situated below the second layer. In order to prevent a bioswale from
overflowing its banks during heavy rainfall, overflows are added that are connected directly to the
drain tube.
• Once prepared, bioswales require very little maintenance as they need less water and no fertilizer.
Advantages
• Bioswale minimizes overflow, improves the
quality of surface water and helps recharge the
groundwater. In an event of groundwater
flooding, bioswales can serve as drainage systems.
• Bioswale can help reduce heat stress in a locality.
• The vegetation and water together improve the
air quality in an area.
• Bioswales with diverse vegetation increase the
aesthetic and recreational value.
• Bioswales recharge aquifers.
• Bioswales increase the biodiversity of plant and
insect species.
• Bioswales facilitate water purification and Applications of Bioswale
distribution. Parking lot Islands and medians
• Bioswales reduce flooding. Sidewalks
• Bioswales protect sensitive areas.
Highway medians
Landscape buff
• Bioswales increase community marketability
Rooftops
Curb cutouts
 How Does Bioretention Work?
Bioretention areas (also referred to as bioretention filters,
infiltration basins, or rain gardens) are structural stormwater
controls that capture and temporarily store a pre-
determined water quality volume (WQv) using soils and
vegetation in shallow basins or landscaped areas to remove
pollutants from stormwater runoff.
They typically have a maximum contributing drainage area
of about 5 acres. Highly impervious drainage areas should
be 2 acres or less. Rain gardens are usually limited to
residential lots and smaller areas.
Always remember that the Infiltration (a.k.a. Exfiltration)
should be viewed as any other outlet device in the pond.
The best way to create a bioretention pond in Hydrology
Studio is to use either the Contours and/or Trapezoid
 shapes for the storage definition.
The engineered soil layer (bioretention soil and gravel
bed) should be sized to contain the required WQv
but should not be included in your storage definition.
 Detention Pond
Advantages Disadvantages
• Surrounding areas have • Breeding grounds for
vegetative buffer that can mosquitoes and other
withstand dry or wet conditions diseases

Retention Basin
Advantages
• Can be very effective at
pollutant removal via
filtering through the soils
• Contributes to
groundwater recharge
Disadvantages
• Potentially high failure
rates due to poor design
and lack of maintenance
• Requires a large, flat
area
 BIOLOGICAL
FILTERS
• Biological filters enable bacterial colonies to propagate and break down wastes. Biological filtration is
the action of bacteria in the tank breaking down dangerous ammonia, converting them to nitrites, and
then the nitrites to the less toxic nitrates in a stream or a river.
• A biological filter consists of non-corroding material such as plastic, fiberglass, ceramic or rock that
has large amounts of surface area nitrifying bacteria cells can colonise.
• It is this natural process that manufactured biological filters attempt to emulate.
NEED OF BIOLOGICAL FILTRATION
• One of the main uses for biological filtration is to convert harmful ammonia, which is toxic to fish and bad for a pond
ecosystem, into nitrates.
• Ammonia is naturally produced from fish waste and other decaying matter in a pond. This is why a pond skimmer is
important—a skimmer will trap floating debris before it has a chance to sink to the bottom ,after ammonia is converted into
nitrates, there begans a situation Nitrates are harmless to fish in reasonable quantities and are actually a plant nutrient, acting
as a source of food for plants in the pond.

Therefore it is necessary to filtrate ,to manage the levels of nitrate in a pond. There are two ways of doing this.
a. The easiest way is simply to plant aquatic plants in and around your pond that will naturally feed on the nitrates, leaving
less nutrients to support algae growth.
b. Another way is through scheduled partial water changes, which replace a portion of the pond water with new nitrate- free
water.
 TYPES OF BIOLOGICAL FILTER FOR THE ECOSYSTEM
1.POND
Waterfall Filter
Most ecosystem ponds will include a waterfall or water feature of some kind.
So the best way to incorporate biological filtration into a pond with a
waterfall is to use a biological waterfall filter. Not only they act as a filter
,they also act as an excellent base for building a great looking waterfall with
less effort. It’s important to note that a waterfall filter requires a bit of care to
properly
conceal into the landscape.

2. External Pressurized Biological Filter

If someone don’t want waterfall filter, they want a formal water garden
then the best way is to install a stand-alone biological filter that sits
outside of the pond. The filter has an inlet and an outlet.
For a more tranquil pond, we can simply return the water in a low-key
way. We can also hook it up to a fountain or create a clean waterfall
design with a piece of equipment like the Atlantic Colorfalls as shown in
Atlantic Colorfalls
photo.
Aqua Ultraviolet Filter
AQUATIC PLANTS IN RAIN WATER HARVESTING
• Aquatic Plants are an important ornamental detail of a well-designed water
feature, while at the same time providing food and shelter for a great
number of birds, insects and amphibians. Plants play a key part in the
natural pond and the constructed pond.
• The presence of aquatic plants in ponds are vital
to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Aquatic
plants come in a four specialized types in the
pond. Forming the base of the food chain for
The four categories of aquatic plants are:
almost all life in the pond, they produce
1. Submerged: Plants that thrive under water that have roots in
dissolved oxygen in the water and serve as
the soil at the bottom (pond weed and bladderwort)
protection for small fish and invertebrates. Their
2. Floating: Plants that float at or near the water surface and
roots hold the soil in place.
have either floating roots or roots in the soil at the bottom
(duckweed and lily pads)
3. Emergent: Plants that is rooted in the soil under water, but
the larger part of the plant is above water (arrowhead, rushes
and cattails)
4. Shoreline: plants that prefer the shore, but can take being
moist and flooded seasonally. (blue flag iris, some shrubs
and trees)
Aquatic plants benefits include:
• Algae control. Plants absorb nutrients in the water from fish waste and reduces nutrient availability slowing algae
blooms.
• Shade and protection for fish. Plants can provide a hiding place for fish from predators both above and below the
water.
• Food for fish and other wildlife. Fish, turtles, insects, ducks and geese and some mammals feed on aquatic plants.
• Improved water quality. Many water plants not only absorb nutrients from the water, they also absorb pollutants
and heavy metals too.
• Aquatic plants in the pond improves its aesthetics. Many emergent and Shoreland plants offer four seasons of
interest at the pond providing attractive flowers, interesting structure, color and depth.
Disadvantages of Aquatic Weeds :
1] Blocking Sunlight: - Sunlight plays important role in living world. It is necessary for each and every living
thing. However plants when present in fish ponds blocks the sunlight to reach in a pond water and thereby
entire flora and in turn fauna gets affected for want of sunlight. Also Sunlight is important in the plankton
production which is a natural and primary food of fish.

2] Production of carbon dioxide: During night they produce carbon dioxide during respiration which gets
dissolved in the pond water. Excessive carbon dioxide may results in the higher mortality rate of the fish
depleting oxygen levels of water body, and also it create competition of oxygen between weeds and fish which
is dangerous for the fish cultured.
Web Resources on RWH

 International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association

http://www.eng.warwick.ac.uk/ircsa/
 Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org
http://www.eng.warwick.ac.uk/DTU/rwh/index.html
 Chennai Metrowater, India
http://www.chennaimetrowater.com/rainwaterfaqs.htm
 Rainwater Partnership
http://www.rainwaterpartnership.org/