Rainwater harvesting how does it work

However, if a suitable filtration treatment system is in place, you are able to make the rainwater suitable for drinking. These systems must have a filter which removes particles more than 5 microns diameter and can treat the water with ultraviolet light sterilisers which kill the microorganisms, making it safe for drinking.

Irrigation and gardening Rainwater from rainwater harvesting systems can be used for irrigation and can save a lot of money in the process, with mains supply water being a big expense for a lot of growers. Rainwater has been used to grow crops and plants for centuries, so it is perfectly safe to use for this purpose. Businesses can benefit greatly from installing rainwater harvesting, using the thousands of litres of rainwater that otherwise would flow down the drain.

You are able to use rainwater to flush the toilet, if you have the right rainwater harvesting system. You can opt for a large underground gravity fed rainwater harvesting system, however this will require power to pump the rainwater to the cistern. These systems require a lot of maintenance and large excavation; however, these simply cannot be an option for a lot of people with existing properties who do not want to completely tear up their living space.

The other alternative is to use a gravity fed rainwater harvesting tank which allows only ground floor toilets to use rainwater for flushing. You are able to use rainwater collecting in rainwater harvesting systems to provide drinking water for livestock, although for many it is a personal preference.

Watering livestock can be expensive with many cows and larger animals consuming tens of litres of water a day, so using rainwater is a cost-effective solution to conserve water, and your water bills!

While many livestock would naturally drink rainwater and the pollutants that occur in this, it is debatable whether a UV filtration system would be needed to remove these contaminants if they naturally occur. However, it's up to the individual to decide whether the risks of possible contamination, outweigh the cost and environmental benefits. JDP uses cookies to make this site simpler.

This is why the need to conserve our limited water supply and store as much as we can. This is where rainwater harvesting comes in. What is Rainwater Harvesting? Rainwater harvesting, also known as roof water harvesting, collects, stores and distributes rainwater from the roof for use inside and outside the house. How Does Rainwater Harvesting Work? The stored rainwater is then passes through a filter to make it clean for consumption. The harvested rainwater can be stored in a single or multiple tanks that are connected, either under or above the ground.

The harvested rainwater is supplied directly where needed on demand, or is pumped to an internal holding tank. When the rainwater supply runs, the main water pump unit is activated. Once there is rain again, the same process follows and the water system automatically reverts back to using the harvested rainwater. As water companies increase their prices and the population grows, demands on mains water continues to rise.

Coupled with consumer demand for companies to reduce their environmental impact, rainwater harvesting is increasingly sought after by both the general public and commercial organisations.

Rainwater is a free natural resource which you can capture, store and use in your building, whether it is an existing building or a new build. The existing roof, gutter system and downpipes on a building can easily be used to collect rainwater, which flows through a pipe network into the system.

Our Rainwater Harvesting systems provide the solution and are ideal for Businesses with high non-potable Water demand. Rainwater Harvesting provides a great short term payback on your investment whilst saving you money.