Rainwater collection system - device options. Rainwater harvesting DIY rainwater harvesting systems

With absence central water supply organization autonomous system water supply is the optimal solution for private houses and cottages.

The main water source in this case is any hydraulic structure- well or well.

But in order to save water supplies or when the flow rate of the water intake point is low, experts recommend providing an alternative option - a rainwater tank installed on the roof or in a technical room.

For what purposes is rainwater used?

Rainwater is an additional resource that can be obtained with minimal financial costs and physical effort.

Water collection does not require the use of complex equipment and electricity to supply it from a hydraulic structure to the consumer. All that is necessary is to equip reliable containers for collecting and storing liquid.

The rational use of rainwater in a country house to cover various domestic and economic needs is the main purpose of the water collection system.

Rainwater collected in a tank can be used for the following purposes:

1. For agricultural needs. The water is collected and stored in barrels for quick heating, after which it can be used to water crops and irrigate fields. Collecting rainwater for irrigation ensures the creation of the necessary liquid reserve during dry periods. Special containers are used as storage devices - metal or plastic tanks. There are no increased requirements for the liquid, so no additional filtration or purification is required.
2. For technical needs. Water after rain is also suitable for technical purposes - cleaning premises, washing cars, household equipment, paths, facades, and for organizing flushing in the bathroom. Higher requirements are imposed on the quality of the liquid - mandatory purification from foreign impurities, pollutants and metal salts.
3. For household needs. To use water for domestic purposes - for laundry, washing dishes and kitchen appliances, taking a summer shower, as well as performing bath procedures, it is necessary to additionally purify the liquid with filter units.
4. For nutritional needs. No preliminary deep cleaning rainwater not used for drinking or cooking. To make water safe, it is recommended to carry out multi-stage filtration, including biological treatment. High demands are placed on the collection, preparation and storage of liquids.

To organize home collection of rainwater from the roof with your own hands, you do not need permits or compliance with established standards. A simple and reliable water collector can be installed on regular roof using storage tanks and a pipe system.

Which roof is suitable for a catchment area?

It is important to understand that not every roof can be used to collect rainwater, since the type of structure and roof covering can affect the organoleptic properties of the liquid.

Despite their reliability and convenience, flat roofs are rarely used for such purposes for the following reasons: they are not equipped with drainage elements for natural drainage of water; liquid can stagnate on the roofing surface, forming puddles and streaks.

In some cases, modern construction technologies still make it possible to install drainage systems on such types of roofs when the installation of insulating material and waterproofing layer is carried out at an angle of up to 5 degrees, and special trays are installed in the lower part of the roof to collect water.

Drainage elements of a flat roof also include funnels fixed on drain risers, which are located in interior walls or along the facade of a building.

Traditionally, flat roofs are equipped with simple single-level collection devices to quickly drain liquid into common system gutter

It is easier and more affordable to organize water collection on buildings with roofs with one or two slopes, installed at an angle of 8 to 10 degrees.

The main drainage elements should also not contain hazardous substances, for these purposes it is better to choose plastic, stainless steel or clay structures.

Types of storage tanks

Underground tanks are additionally equipped with submersible or surface pumping equipment to supply liquid to water intake points. To effectively remove foreign impurities and pollutants, multi-stage systems are used - filters for coarse and fine cleaning, as well as coal-based devices.

Construction of a collection system with ground storage

To set up such a system for a summer house or country house you will need:

• storage plastic tank;
• flexible connecting hose;
• filter element;
• steel or plastic pipes, grooves and trays;
• fasteners.

We assemble a homemade drainage system as follows:

1. The grooves along the edges of the roof are fixed with hooks or staples.
2. The angle for installing the storage tank is selected. The drainage pipe is also fixed here.
3. All elements are connected by a funnel.
4. The connecting seams are reliably sealed with special sealants.

When installing drainage elements, it is important to ensure a slight slope of 2.5–3 cm towards the drainpipe. When assembling the corner pipe to which the storage tank is connected, a filter is installed. The funnel is also equipped with a filter element. Marks are made with a pencil to determine the height of installation of the drainage pipe, respecting the level of the top of the tank.

The marked area is carefully cut and removed, and a prefabricated collector is installed in its place. Next, a hose is connected, one end to the water receiver, the other to the storage tank. To do this, a hole of the appropriate diameter is made under the protective cover of the tank.

The site on which the storage tank is installed is filled with fine gravel, and a brick stand is installed on top.

Construction of an underground system with a reservoir

Organization of an autonomous rainwater collection system underground - technically more difficult option, requiring careful preparation and certain skills.

To implement it, you will need a plastic or metal tank with a volume of 2 to 3 thousand liters and the choice of a suitable location for installation. When constructing a pit, it is important to take into account the level of groundwater and the depth of soil freezing.

The optimal pit depth should be 80 cm higher than the height of the selected tank, since 25 cm will be a waterproofing layer of gravel and sand, 55 cm will be a layer of soil on top of the installed tank.

All work is carried out in the following order:

1. The site is being marked for the construction of a pit. A pit of appropriate size is dug.
2. The bottom is covered with gravel and sand and carefully compacted.
3. A reservoir is installed in the center of the pit.
4. The perimeter of the storage tank is filled with soil and sand.
5. Equipment for water intake, drainage and water intake pipes are installed.
6. The storage tank is closed with a lid and insulated.

To prevent clogging of the storage tank with debris, a special filter unit is installed on the drainpipes, which reliably purifies the water from foreign impurities and metal salts. With regular use of the system, the filters are thoroughly cleaned to remove accumulated contaminants.

After installation is complete, you need to do a test run finished system: liquid is poured into the storage tank and connected pump equipment. Correct installation the system will ensure a fast and unhindered supply of rainwater to water intake points.

To organize a backup water source for domestic and economic needs, you need to know how to collect rainwater in special storage tanks and subsequently set up an autonomous water supply system for country house or dachas.

Having your own house outside the city limits, near a forest and some kind of reservoir, in a place where the air is not filled with smog is the dream of every city dweller. Just choose suitable site and building a house is not enough, you also need to solve the problem of supplying technical and drinking water. Let's find out how you can get water outside the city in the absence of a central water supply.

Water requirements

Regardless of place of residence, each person needs at least 150 liters of water daily - for drinking, cooking and other household needs. For watering sq. m of vegetable garden, flower garden or lawn will require about 30 liters of water per week. The central water supply in cottage villages is ineffective even in summer, and in winter it is completely absent, because otherwise the pipes will freeze and be torn. Of course, owners of country real estate can provide themselves with bottled drinking water by purchasing and bringing it with them every time they visit their dacha, but what about personal hygiene, wet cleaning of premises and watering plants on the site?

For domestic needs and for irrigation, water can be obtained from the following sources - precipitation, nearby open reservoirs and springs, groundwater (pressure and free-flow). Water on the surface of the earth (lakes) and lying near it (overwater) accumulates due to precipitation; in places where they occur, they are held by water-resistant layers beneath them, usually formed by clay. Groundwater and interstratal waters located at greater depths (from 1.5 m) are suitable for drinking, but quickly become polluted if there is a cesspool, barnyard or garbage dump near their location. Artesian waters are deeper than others - their horizon begins at a level of 70-100 m or more, they are pressure and have an almost constant volume.

Rainwater - collection and storage

Water of atmospheric origin is almost completely free of salts, i.e. it is softer than that supplied to houses from the central water supply. The acid reaction of rain is most often neutral; its drops contain a significant amount of oxygen, so rainwater is ideal for irrigation. But such water may contain substances suspended in the lower layers of the atmosphere. heavy metals, hazardous chemical compounds, fuel combustion products and dust particles, which will significantly reduce its quality. However, the percentage of harmful components in rain is directly dependent on large metallurgical, chemical, oil refining and other industries located nearby, large transport hubs, and megacities.

From a practical point of view, the advantage of rainwater is that it is completely free, but the disadvantage is that the rains are inconsistent, which can fall for several days in a row, or may be absent for weeks. The simplest way collecting atmospheric moisture - barrels and troughs placed under gutters. However, it has a drawback - the water accumulated in this way for irrigation and utility needs will not be enough for the entire warm season, since the total volume of improvised storage tanks is small. To secure a country house process water collected during the rains, it will be necessary to build a system capable of accumulating required volumes rainwater and ensure its delivery to consumers.

On quality characteristics The water collected during rain is affected by the roof design and the type of roof covering. A pitched roof—one with a slope greater than 10 degrees—will provide more efficient water collection than a roof with a lower angle. In addition, there will be no puddles of water left on the pitched roof, which on flat roofs act as a cage for microorganisms that penetrate into storage tanks after the next rain and spoil the water.

Collecting rainwater from a roof covered with asbestos slate and having lead and copper elements in the cladding is not recommended! Slate contains amphibole asbestos fibers, the penetration of which into the human body causes serious lung diseases. Oversaturation of water with lead and copper ions affects the central nervous system humans, impairs plant growth. In addition to roofing materials, you should pay attention to the means of delivering water to storage tanks - drainpipes and gutters, and make sure that they do not contain lead. Roofing and its elements made of galvanized metal, natural tiles, polyvinyl chloride and other materials that do not contain asbestos, lead and copper are quite suitable for collecting rainwater.

To collect the required amount of water that can completely solve the problem of watering the territory of a country house, you will need a capacious container made of galvanized steel, polyethylene, concrete, etc. The materials forming the storage container should not change their properties over time, and also not affect chemical composition of water. It’s easier to use a ready-made polyethylene container with light-proof walls. A rainwater storage tank can be installed on the surface or placed below ground level - buried in the ground or placed in the basement of the house. It would be rational to bury the container in the ground, which will ensure natural cooling of the water collected in it and prevent the development of microorganisms and algae in it.

Installing the drive

The advantage of tanks located in the basement or underground is that they do not need to be emptied in the fall - provided that the temperature in the basement does not drop below zero, and most of the buried container is located below the ground freezing level. The capacity of a tank installed in a basement can range from 750 to 2000 liters; its width usually does not exceed 800 mm, which simplifies the transportation of the container through standard doorways to the accommodation location. If necessary, you can combine several tanks with each other using plastic pipes with a diameter of 50-100 mm, inserted through a detachable connection into the lower part of each container.

Placing a storage tank in the ground is possible if the groundwater level is low. Large capacity containers are suitable for this purpose: 2000-3000 liters. The pit needs to be dug deeper and wider overall dimensions tank - a 200-250 mm layer of coarse sand is poured onto the bottom of the pit; the container is installed; Between the storage tank body and the walls of the pit, coarse sand is poured in a layer of 200-250 mm. The distance from the neck of the tank to the surface of the earth should be from 200 to 500 mm; after inserting into it a pipe through which rainwater will flow, and a submersible pump that will pump water out of the tank, it is necessary to close the hole leading to it with a lid. Before the start of the cold season, the pump is removed from the tank, and the cavity above the closed neck is filled with sand. A sand cushion under the tank and along the perimeter of its walls will protect the container from soil pressure, and backfilling the neck will protect it from freezing.

If it rains for a long time, the water may overflow the storage tank. Therefore, when installing an underground tank, it makes sense to equip it with a drain-overflow pipe capable of draining excess water into a storm sewer - the outlet from the storage tank must be equipped with a siphon (water seal) that prevents odors from the sewer from penetrating inside, as well as check valve, preventing water from the sewer from getting inside the storage tank.

In case of a long absence of precipitation and the storage tank is emptied during irrigation, it must be filled with tap water or delivered from a well - it is not recommended to keep the underground tank empty, since it can be damaged by soil movements. To determine the degree of emptying of the container, you need to apply markings with white paint on its inner wall, marking at least 1/3, 1/2 and 2/3 of the internal volume - in this case, you can determine the amount of water visually, using a flashlight.

Conditions for accumulation, storage and use of rainwater

Dry weather without any precipitation, which lasts for several days, will lead to the deposition of dust and small debris on the roof. The first rain after a drought, of course, will wash away all the dirt, but it will fall into the rainwater storage tank, eventually forming a solid layer of dirt at the bottom of the tank. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to disconnect the water collection pipe from the drain for about half an hour - heavy rain will wash the roof during this time, after which the inlet pipe into the storage tank can be installed back and collect water.

Gusty winds, which usually accompany a rain front, carry branches, leaves and other large debris onto the roof, which should not end up in the rainwater tank - you need to equip the gutters with removable catch grates, and install filter baskets in the drainage pipes. You can install a filter element in the neck of the storage tank, the diameter of the holes in which does not exceed 0.2 mm, but you will have to monitor the degree of clogging of this filter, i.e. it will not be possible to leave the rainwater accumulation system without control for a long time.

It should be noted that, despite the described filters, the water entering the tank will have a cloudy appearance - to use it for domestic needs, you will either have to clean it with a filter with 5 micron holes, or give it time to settle and sediment sediment to the bottom. The second method is cheaper, but will require work to periodically empty the container and remove sediment on its bottom and walls manually (1-2 times a year). Those who have equipped their rainwater supply system with a fine filter will need to disinfect it from time to time in order to destroy accumulated microorganisms.

Rainwater plumbing

To use the collected water for domestic needs, you will need to create a water supply system with process water. In most cases, storage tanks are located at or below ground level, so a pump is needed to operate the water supply system. Stationary models of centrifugal pumps should be installed inside the house as low as possible - on the ground floor or in the basement, which will reduce energy costs for pumping water into the water supply system and reduce its length. You can also use a compact submersible or external pump. Regardless of the selected type and model of pump, water is drawn from the reservoir only from the surface of the water, i.e. the water intake tube must float on the surface of the water surface, like a float. This method of water extraction will reduce the likelihood of contaminants settling at the bottom of the tank and suspended in the water volume penetrating into the water supply.

It is important to mark the taps and pipes inside the house through which process water flows - you cannot drink it or cook with it!

The contents of a rainwater tank cannot completely replace human needs for water, since even washing dishes and taking a shower with rainwater is only permissible if it is multi-staged. However, for other purposes - watering green spaces and territories, wet cleaning and it is quite suitable for flushing the toilet. The natural softness of such water ensures effective washing with low consumption of detergents.

Research by scientists has shown that in a number of characteristics, rainwater is superior to tap water, its quality is much higher than in open reservoirs. And since rains are typical for Russian territory, take advantage of free water “from the sky” to partially solve problems suburban water supply quite possible.

It only takes one weekend to create your own rainwater harvesting system. You can use water collected from the roof to water your garden, wash your car, take an outdoor shower in your dacha, do laundry, and other needs. Remember that it is teeming with bacteria: it is unsuitable for drinking or cooking. Such rainwater supply will always be specialized, and collecting water from the roof will not replace a well and a water supply system.

Preparation:

Before heading to the hardware store, there are some small but important calculations you need to make. Therefore, to begin with, we will determine the material from which the roof of your country house is made, the amount of moisture that will flow down the roof, the volume that needs to be collected based on calculations of daily consumption and annual precipitation.

• Roofs coated with tar, gravel, asbestos and any other toxic coating are not suitable. This coating will leave unwanted chemicals in the collected water. Suitable safety covering: tiles, metal, etc.
• Measure the perimeter of the roof, then calculate the area, excluding slopes and eaves. The usable area will be at least 80% of the total area. This parameter depends on the roof surface. To calculate the approximate volume of liquid collected per year using this method, we use the following formula:

V=(S*A*k)/1000 liters, where:

V – volume of collected water
S – total area roofs in m2
A – annual precipitation in mm
k – water collection efficiency coefficient, k=0.8

The size of the rainwater collection tank is selected based on the volume of water consumed daily by all residents of the house. General formula: consumption per person per day &規 number of people &規 number of days = required volume.

Another parameter is the duration of the rainy season: near Moscow it can be one, in Siberia another, in Primorye a third. Divide the rainy season into months, write down the average monthly rainfall, subtract the amount of water you need per month. As a result, we get the amount of unused liquid that can be transferred to the next month.

And remember: if you collect rainwater from your roof in a round tank, its volume is calculated by the formula: surface area &規 height of the tank.

Purchasing materials

• Rainwater tank: free. (You can use an old one or search around).
• Polypropylene drum with lid - $0.35-$1.00/gallon (Very light, unlike others)
• Metal barrel- $0.40 - $0.60/gallon (This type of storage tank cannot be used to collect and store drinking water unless it has a special liner).
• Gutters - $0.30 for - 30.5 cm; Alternatively, you can make the drains yourself.
• Pipes leading to and from the water collection tank: approximately $10 for 3 meters (Pipe diameter depends on the size of the water collection area)
• PVC elbows - $2 per piece.
• Cement - $5.
• Materials for a smooth and stable surface: special backing/mattress - $6.
• Fencing around the entire perimeter of the tank - $10.
• Path covering - $20.
• 1 bag of Portland cement -30 dollars.
• The sediment container can be installed stably by digging a hole of several centimeters in the ground underneath it. However, this is not suitable for all types of soil.

Note: Leaf filters, strainer screens or funnels must be installed to protect gutters.

Installation

1. The tank opening should be located a few centimeters below the drain funnel.

2. It is desirable that the tank has an aesthetic appearance and is camouflaged between trees.

3. The tank must be on a flat, stable surface (on a support/mattress). Create a small fence around the tank. Fill the fenced area with a special coating for roads - it is cheap and compact. Then lay down a small layer of Portland cement. Loosen it, check with a level to make sure the surface is even, and fill it with water. Let dry.

4. When attaching gutters, you must remember:

• Measure the length of the eaves in order to determine the lengths of the gutters.
• Drainpipes must be fixed at intervals of 10-15 m along the entire length of the main gutter.
• Count the number of gutters - double the number to get required amount knees Count the number of turns at 900 and 450 to obtain the required number of elbows of the desired shape.
• Calculate the required number of fasteners, flexible clamps and plugs.
• Brackets must be placed on the eaves at intervals of 9 m or on each head of the rafter.
• It is recommended to place gutters at an angle of 0.6 - 1.2 cm towards the drainpipe every 3 m. To do this, measure the perimeter of the house.

To prevent gutters from becoming clogged, install filters to collect leaves and clear sediment from debris: flat filter meshes or funnels. Leaf collection screens are usually installed at the beginning of gutters, and filter screens and funnels are installed where liquid enters the downspouts.

General rules: 15m2 of roof collecting surface = 7.5cm diameter downspout for every 15m length of gutter connected to a 10cm diameter PVC pipe carrying water into the tank.

5. For smaller surfaces, a drain pipe with a diameter of no more than 5 cm for every 12 m of gutter length connected to a PVC pipe with a diameter of 7.5 cm.

6. When joining PVC pipes with cement, turn them a quarter turn back and forth so that the cement is evenly distributed. If small balls have formed around the pipe, then you have done everything correctly - the pipes will not leak. Also, do not forget to leave not very large reserves of length when cutting pipes - approximately 7.5 cm (for connections).

7. The tank must be installed at the highest point, since the water pressure is 453 g/2.54 cm2 for every 70 cm of height.

There are three simple steps to draining rainwater at your dacha - direct, slow and absorb. Depending on the region, we all do this a little. different ways.

Some are struggling with heavy runoff water on a sloped property, some are carefully collecting rainwater for the garden, while others simply want to divert stormwater away from the foundation of the house.
The simplest drainage system is a gutter, which directs all rainwater from the roof to the ground.
Instead of a traditional drain, drainage chains, which you can make yourself, do the same task well - this, compared to a drainpipe, is simple and inexpensive.

Traditionally, gardeners collect rainwater for irrigation. You can slightly improve a regular water barrel: add an outlet for a garden hose at the bottom, lower the overflow hose at the top, and put the drain itself directly into the barrel. To do this, it is more convenient to use a flexible module for drainage.

If you need to collect a lot of rainwater, then you can assemble a more complex water collection system, which is based on simple rule communicating vessels. There can be as many of these rain barrels connected to each other as you like.

If the task is simply to drain rainwater from the foundation of the house, then you can make simple drainage: a shallow trench with sand and pebbles will reliably drain excess water to 3-4 m.

If the roof area is large or there is a significant slope on the site, then a more voluminous drainage system is made, with an underground storage tank, as shown in the diagram.

One of modern methods water drainage - is a rain garden, an inexpensive and beautiful way of drainage. This garden looks like an ordinary flower garden, but it absorbs water 30% better.

A rain garden is a flowerbed of wild plants, which is located in a small depression on the site. The soil for such a garden is mixed in a special way: sand, compost, soil; in order to enhance the absorption capacity of the flower garden.

If in your summer cottage the groundwater level is high enough - 50 cm, then this type of drainage will not suit you. In addition, for clayey area You need to add gravel to the bottom.

We plant wild plants in the rain garden; they usually tolerate large amounts of moisture and can grow in dry conditions. For a new flower garden, we mulch the plantings with heavy mulch - pine needles, etc., so that the water does not carry it away.

In a rain garden, you can plant not only herbs and flowers, but also shrubs, which are best planted at the edge of the inflow of water - this way they will slow down the flow of water and prevent smaller plants from being washed away.

A rain garden as a method of draining rainwater and draining an area is suitable not only for draining runoff from the roof, but also for gardens with a slight slope.

Good drainage, which will provide this beautiful flower garden with a little secret, it will reduce the number of mosquitoes in the garden and keep your paths dry.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

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Rainwater harvesting system: how to arrange and use

The installation of an autonomous water supply system is necessary wherever there is no centralized network, that is, in country houses and dachas. The main source of water in remote areas is usually a well or well, but to save water supplies you can also acquire alternative option, ensuring the use of precipitation.

Let's try to figure out how the rainwater collection system works and how effective it is.

Options for using precipitation

With supplies fresh water in Russia everything is in order, but the most economical owners of private land have increasingly begun to think about rational use natural resources. Along with solar panels and homemade windmills they create versatile rainwater harvesting systems that provide positive results on dry days or when the well water runs out.

Beautiful practical experience exists in Germany, Holland, Belgium and other European countries. Considering that it is simply impractical to waste tap water on flushing a toilet tank, Europeans have come up with many schemes for using absolutely free, but no less useful natural water.

The diagram of a home water supply system includes the following important components: a water collection field (roof), pipeline, storage tank, pumping equipment, filtration system (+)

Thanks to the use of rainwater, the cost of depreciation of pumping and cleaning equipment is reduced, and personal budget savings occur. The system is so simple that in the absence of a completely finished factory model, you can always assemble it yourself.

The main purpose of the drainage system is to collect the maximum amount of rainwater and move it to a storage tank. The liquid is then used for various household needs: washing, washing, cleaning, watering. No additional purification is needed for watering, but for showering or washing dishes, the water must be filtered. For this purpose, several filters are installed into the water supply, and both coarse and fine cleaning will be required.

To drain excess water or carry out cleaning procedures, another hole is drilled in the tank and a pipe leading to sewer system (+)

A reserve container of water can help out both in case of a shortage of water from the main source, and in the event of force majeure. If you decide to clean the well, then the large tank will allow you to wash, wash, and water your garden crops. Instead of one container, you can install several, then you won’t have to save money.

How to organize rainwater collection for your home

There are no permits or strict regulations required to install rainwater harvesting equipment. At its core, this is a variant of a conventional drainage system, but more rational. To make the accumulation and transportation of water more efficient, it is necessary to take into account some nuances - the condition of the roof, types of storage tanks, the ability to quickly pump water into the house.

What should the roof be like?

There is a popular opinion that only sloping roofs are suitable as work surface to collect water. Indeed, when water flows by gravity into gutters located around the perimeter, it is easier to organize its movement in the desired direction. To do this, you do not need to install additional “traps” and lay communications under the roof.

In fact, there are systems designed for flat roofs as well. When laying layers of insulation and waterproofing, maintain a slope of at least 3%, and install a gutter or tray to collect water at the lowest point.

Drainage devices for flat roofs also include funnels connected to drain risers. The risers can be located both inside the building and installed on external wall. To stimulate the movement of water to the water intake funnel, a depression within a radius of half a meter is arranged around it.

The funnel design may vary. For example, for inversion roofs, two-level roofs are provided that collect and drain condensate from under the insulation layer and rainwater from the roof surface. Traditional flat roofs are equipped with single-level drainage devices that redirect rainwater into the gutter system.

All types of water intake devices must be equipped with mesh protection against volatile contaminants, leaves and dust. For trays, gutters and funnels, protective devices are produced in the form perforated panels, mesh baskets, etc. On exploited flat roofs, a flat protection is installed flush with the surface; on unused ones, it rises above the roof.

The funnel for siphon-vacuum drainage “sucks up” water, so it is suitable even for roofs without a slope. It is designed in such a way that water without air enters the system

In addition to the main funnel, several reserve ones are installed, in case the main one becomes clogged and fails. All devices lead to one pipeline. It has an internal location, that is, it is located under the roof, and is sealed closed form, often a type of rectangular box. The gravity channel is wider, the siphon-vacuum channel is narrow. The exit is above storage tank or nearby.

Metal tiles are practical, relatively inexpensive and comfortable material For roofing works. Polymer colored coating that performs protective and aesthetic functions and does not affect water quality

The shape of the roof also does not affect the composition of the water, and the roofing material can cause poisoning or illness. As you know, asbestos, which is part of asbestos boards and slate, is very dangerous. Nowadays, these materials are rarely used for roofing, but if you decide to provide a drainage system for an old house, be careful. Copper and lead are also dangerous and can be found in pipes, gutters or fasteners.

Safe roofing options:

Modern PVC drainage systems are also absolutely safe and are the most convenient for do-it-yourself installation.

Classification of water collectors and storage tanks

Precipitation falls irregularly, so there are no devices without a “transfer base” that directly connect trays to water collection points. It is necessary to organize a large container for storing the collected water, which will allow it to be used only as needed.

The prototype of all modern tanks is an ordinary barrel. She can still be found on summer cottages installed directly under the drainpipe. The effectiveness of using a barrel is conditional, since it has a small volume and is not suitable for home water supply. In addition, there are no overflow systems planned in its design; all excess spills over the edges and enters the ground.

Purpose of ordinary metal or wooden barrel– collection of a small amount of rainwater and subsequent use for economic purposes: for watering or cleaning

For water storage systems, volumetric tanks are made, which can be divided into two categories:

• ground, installed under drainage system against a wall (or inside a building);
• underground, buried in the ground near the house.

The material for all types is the same - it is polyethylene, less often concrete, fiberglass or steel. Synthetic rainwater storage tanks are in the lead because they are not inferior in performance to analogues made from other materials, but at the same time they are much lighter and therefore more convenient for transportation and installation. The volume of above-ground tanks is from 750 to 2000 liters, underground - from 2000 to 5000 liters.

Modern products are completely ready for connection - they have a large hatch in the upper part and a fitting with a tap in the lower part (for ground-based versions)

Large underground tanks are equipped with a surface or submersible pump to force water to the water collection points. The use of various equipment requires additional fluid purification. To do this, a filtration system is used: a coarse filter is installed at the entrance to the tank, and the same one is installed at the outlet.

Options for plastic tanks for collecting and storing rainwater:

If water flows to sinks for washing or washing dishes, fine filters with a mesh of no more than 5 microns, as well as multi-stage carbon units, are required.

Is a conventional gutter system suitable?

Let's assume that your private house is equipped with a full-fledged storm drain, including a set of gutters and trays, downpipes, sand traps and a sewer outlet to the septic tank. Is it possible to install a structure to use rainwater in a house without major changes? Of course, but you will have to supplement the circuit with storage capacity and related equipment.

First, you will have to analyze the state of the accumulating plane, that is, the roof. You should check its integrity, cleanliness, and if necessary, change the roofing covering to a safer one. If the storm structure of pipes and trays is in order, a large factory-made polyethylene tank can be attached directly to it. Install a fitting at the bottom of the tank for emergency draining.

In order not to disturb the design of the storm drain, the easiest way is to install a large plastic barrel for irrigation, but it will not be suitable for house maintenance

If there is a need to install a large underground tank, you will have to make adjustments to the old design - most likely, change the location of the sewer pipes. By digging a pit and installing pumping equipment, you will have to re-lay the communications for the drains.

We offer two options for installing rainwater use systems - with an above-ground and underground reservoir.

Simple system with a barrel: step-by-step instructions

To assemble the easiest circuit, you will need a kit for installing gutters, a filter, a ready-made water tank, a short hose and mounting hardware.

The result of the work will be simplest system collecting water from sloping roof with a large plastic reservoir as a storage container

Plastic gutters, trays and pipes required size We buy it at a hardware store. If you are not satisfied with plastic, we use galvanized steel parts, homemade or factory-made.

We assemble the drainage system in the following order:

• Using special brackets or hooks, we secure the gutter along the edge of the roof;
• At the corner, in a place convenient for installing the tank, we hang the drainpipe;
• we connect the main elements with a receiving funnel;
• We seal seams and joints.

When installing gutters, make sure that there is a slight slope towards the pipe (2-3 cm per 1 m). The sizes of pipes and gutters depend on the roof area. For example, a diameter of 80 mm is sufficient to equip a slope of 25-30 m². When assembling the corner pipe to which the tank will be connected, do not forget to insert the filter. The funnel can be equipped with the same filter to retain debris and sand.

Next, we need to remove a small fragment from the pipe, and in its place insert a compact collector that redirects water to the tank

We apply markings with a marker, determining the height of the drainage installation at the level of the top of the container.

We take a hacksaw for metal or plastic (depending on the pipe material) and carefully cut out an area corresponding to the size of the insert part

We take out the sawn-off section and insert the collector in its place.

The manifold is prefabricated and consists of two parts: the upper element is threaded onto the edge of the pipe located at the top, the lower element is threaded onto the section below

We tighten the water inlet tightly, then attach the hose to it. This is easy to do if you install the fitting in advance. We cut a hole of a suitable diameter under the tank lid and insert the second end of the hose into it.

If instead of plastic or steel connecting element attach a flexible elastic hose, the container can be moved or tilted

An important nuance: a properly prepared foundation will help excess water to freely go into the ground (or into the sewer), and not spill along the house or flood the foundation. The area for installing the tank is covered with gravel, and a stand is made of ceramic blocks or bricks on top.

Another instruction for installing the Aquacan water collector:

The good thing about assembling factory models is that all the necessary parts and even some of the tools are included with the container.

Diagram of a system with an underground tank

A large container installed near the house can satisfy 50% of the water requirement. Thanks to special wiring, rainwater will flow to water collection points that do not require High Quality liquids: for toilet tanks, kitchen and watering taps. But even in this case, filters are installed.

The reservoir can be installed under the drainage system on the surface of the soil, in the basement or in a special pit dug near the house. We will choose the third option, in which the container will be completely immersed in the ground, therefore, it will not take up vacant plot near the building and not spoil the beautiful landscape with its technological appearance.

Another advantage of a reservoir buried in the soil: cooled rainwater is an unsuitable environment for the development of bacteria, therefore it will not “bloom”

We select a container with a volume of 2.5-3.5 thousand liters, and, based on its dimensions, we look for a place for installation. In addition to the dimensions, when digging a pit, be sure to take into account the horizons groundwater and freezing level. The depth of the hole should be approximately 70 cm greater than the height of the tank, since 20 cm is a gravel-sand cushion, 50 cm is a layer of earth above the tank (freezing in the middle zone and northern regions in winter).

• We take out the soil and take the excess to the side;
• we arrange a compacted gravel-sand cushion;
• We install a reservoir in the center of the pit;
• fill it on all sides with a mixture of soil and sand;
• we install pumping equipment and pipes (drainage and leading into the house).

Of course, before connecting electrical equipment, it is necessary to establish a water supply system from the roof and make internal wiring. Installation of drains occurs in the traditional way, a pipe through a hatch supplies water to the container. The pipeline from the tank leads to certain, pre-selected points. Inside the house, in the utility room or basement, there is a place for installing a pump, filters, and control equipment.

Scheme of using a rainwater collection system: 1 – water level sensor; 2 – float device; 3 – filter; 4 – surface pump; 5 – water tank; 6 – siphon; 7 – filter

After installation and connection, it is necessary to perform a test start: fill the container with water and turn on the pump. If everything is in order, the liquid will quickly flow to the water collection points.

The container should not be empty, as ground movements can cause deformation of the body. If water runs out during a drought, it must be replenished from the main source. In order not to measure the water level using improvised means, you can inside Draw a kind of scale on the wall with divisions in fractions or liters.

Rainwater in the heating system

In some cases, rainwater is used instead of distilled liquid or antifreeze in heating systems of private homes. Natural characteristics - softness, absence of foreign inclusions and cleanliness - make it suitable for pouring into the heating network. To remove possible contaminants “caught” in the atmosphere, it is initially passed through a filter.

Option for installing a storage tank inside the house (in a boiler room, basement or utility room): a pump, filters, pressure gauge and piping are located nearby

In addition to cleaning procedures, it helps to enrich the liquid with special inhibitors and surfactants that reduce the tendency of water to form corrosion and plaque. Chemical compounds help dissolve lime and other deposits.

Useful video on the topic

Educational informational videos will help you install your own rainwater storage tank.

How to make a rainwater collection system with an external tank with your own hands:

Useful theoretical information:

Preparing a plastic barrel for autonomous water supply:

The purity and natural softness of rainwater make it possible to use it for household needs, irrigation, and sometimes to fill the heating system. Thanks a lot storage tank and pump, you can always use a backup source of water, which is available when the well is empty.

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Rainwater Harvesting: A Fashion Trend or a “Well Forgotten Old Thing”

In some places, collecting rainwater from the roof is a tribute to environmental trends, in others - urgent need. Imagine that you don’t have a river or your own well at your dacha, but the gardening community provides water for irrigation “by the hour” (the tomatoes will have time to burn and the cucumbers will become bitter). Yes, even if there are no problems with the water supply in your area, rainwater still has its advantages. Let’s figure out where to store it and how to use the “reserves” of rainwater at the dacha. And have the methods of collecting rainwater changed over the centuries?

Our country occupies a leading place in the world in terms of fresh water reserves. In most of its territory, the problem of availability of drinking water and even agricultural water is not an issue. However, a barrel for collecting rainwater under the overhang of the roof of a private house is as indispensable an attribute of country life, familiar from childhood, as a barbecue or a hammock.

Why collect and how to use rainwater at home

Rainwater is an accessible resource; you don’t need to make any effort to get it: neither your own strength - you don’t need to lift water from a well or carry it from a reservoir - nor electricity to extract it from a well or transfer it through pipes. All that is needed is to provide conditions for collection and storage. The possibilities for using rainwater in a dacha are very wide. If we analyze the daily water consumption, even in urban environments only a small part of it is used for drinking. Outside the city, taking into account agricultural and technical needs, the need for water is much higher. And a significant part of them can be covered by rain collection.

When people talk about rainwater, they usually mention its softness. However, this indicator, along with purity, very much depends on the environmental situation of the region and collection conditions - including the materials with which the water comes into contact both during drainage and during storage. The degree of purity determines the use of rainwater in a country house. Conventionally, three practically applicable areas of its use can be named.

Water was collected traditionally for garden needs: both during the heyday of dacha farming and long before that. Water from a barrel is ideal for irrigation - it has warmed up enough, which means it can be used to supply moisture to crops that do not tolerate cooling of the roots. Water directly from a well is not suitable for them.

In conditions of unstable rainfall distribution, collecting rainwater for irrigation also allows you to create a reserve for dry periods to minimize the use of water from other sources for irrigation. In this case, it is necessary to provide additional water containers that will at least partially cover the need for water for irrigation.

There are no particularly strict requirements for the purity of water for irrigation, which means there is no need for a complex filter system and strict control (unless you use sprinkler systems - here you cannot do without filtration). For this reason, the use of rainwater for irrigation is, of course, the most common application. But not the only thing.

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Slightly higher requirements are placed on water for technical use. The main thing is that it is cleaned of debris and coarse impurities. This water can be used to wash paths and platforms, facades, floors in the house, cars and other equipment. And also for flushing the toilet.

The closer to a person, the more thorough the cleaning should be. At the proper level, rainwater can be used for washing - if it retains its softness, it will additionally help save detergents. Also, clean rainwater can be used for washing in a bathhouse and for a garden shower. This is also a traditional way of using it: the most common and simplest version of a country shower is a barrel on supports.

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Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Is it possible to use rainwater for drinking? In its pure form, collected rainwater cannot be used for food purposes. Without additional verification and integrated system cleaning, it is impossible to be sure of its safety. Drinking water must undergo multi-stage filtration, including biological treatment. There are also serious requirements for its storage conditions. The rainwater collection system in the house is much more complex than the devices that we usually use on the site. Of course, in regions with a shortage of drinking water this is justified. Such systems are also discussed in detail by “survivalists”. In a number of places, the use of rainwater for drinking is a forced and necessary measure. But if there is a more reliable and proven method of obtaining drinking water - a well, a well, a central water supply system, even imported packaged water - it is still safer to use them. For washing dishes and personal hygiene, it is also worth using proven drinking water.

How to collect rainwater The easiest and most common way to collect water at your dacha with your own hands is from the roof. Its slopes provide an extensive collecting surface. To ensure good drainage of rainwater from the roof, it must have a slope of at least 10 degrees. However, for our country pitched roofs- the most common type, so the question of how best to collect rainwater does not arise. Flat roofs in private construction are still a rarity for us, but even on them the slope necessary for water drainage is provided.

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What is snow to me, what is heat to me: How to choose a roof for a recreation area in a dacha Site Lines Architecture Inc. The material from which the roof is made is important. But if you do not collect drinking water, but plan to use it only for irrigation and technical needs, then it will not be as decisive as it is usually presented. Water requirements for domestic needs are already higher. Of course, the roof from which water is collected should not contain poisonous or toxic substances. But this is true in any case, since the runoff, even if you do not specifically collect it, still ends up in the soil. The most environmentally friendly, of course, will be roofs made of ceramic tiles. But don't forget that in modern conditions and we often cover it with various protective compounds chemical origin.

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Roof garden: How to choose the right plants Water from the roof is collected in a gutter and is then discharged down through drainpipes or other devices. In principle, both the gutter and the pipes are parts of the most common drainage system, which allows you to “concentrate” the drainage of rainwater from the roof, to carry it out locally, regardless of whether you collect the water for further use, or divert it further. To ensure efficient drainage, the gutter is also placed with a slope towards the discharge points - the same 10 degrees.

The diameter of the gutter is chosen based on the level of precipitation in the region, but not on its average, but with a margin. Also, its size and placement will depend on the angle of the roof slope - make sure that the water will fall into the gutter and not overflow through it. This - common mistake.

To protect the gutter and water from large debris and leaves, you can cover the top with a mesh. This will prevent bottleneck drains from becoming clogged. And it will be much easier to clean the gutter itself.

Drainpipes are located at least every 10 meters. Or on the corners of a building. Usually they are equipped with a bell at the top. The diameter of the pipe is chosen depending on the volume of the drain - from 8 to 30 cm. The pipes are fixed at a short distance from the wall - as a rule, it is 5-7 cm. Protrusions and cornices are bypassed using bends and elbows.

To reduce splashes during free flow, chains can be used instead of stationary, rigidly fixed downpipes various types: traditional, from links fastened to each other, or from caps strung in series.

The materials from which the gutter and pipes are made must be resistant to weather conditions and the effects of water. Their environmental friendliness is subject to the same requirements as roofing materials.

Top Tier Seamless Gutters

When it is important to ensure higher purity - when collecting water for domestic needs and, especially, for drinking (with mandatory further purification), the collection system is complicated. A valve is installed in the gutters or pipes to release the primary runoff - a certain volume of water, which, after the start of rain, washes the roof and removes the main contaminants from it. When using water for irrigation and technical needs, there is no need for such complication.

Where to collectWhere does the water go after the drainpipe? Depending on the required level of purification - into a storage tank or into an intermediate filtration tank. Both familiar barrels and tanks of other shapes are used as such a reservoir. Their volume can be from 50-200 liters to several tons.

Ideally, regardless of what you plan to use the water for in the future, use containers made from food-grade materials. They are the most inert, and since, unlike intermediate paths of water movement, during storage it is in contact with the surface for a long period, the environmental friendliness of the materials is much more important here. An excellent solution is a rainwater barrel made of opaque food-grade plastic. Stainless, enameled and painted metal with special dyes are also often used.

The color of the tank is also important - in a black container, water heats up faster, and reflective surfaces will protect it from overheating. The benefits of a particular quality depend on how you intend to use the water. Heating is needed to organize an outdoor shower. For irrigation, the water needs to be slightly heated, but not too high. For long-term storage, cool conditions are preferred. Long warm-up high temperatures has a detrimental effect on many types of bacteria, but the sun middle zone it is unlikely to be able to provide such conditions.

A.GRUPPO Architects - San Marcos It’s good if there is more than one container - they are needed at least under each drainage point. It is also convenient to divide them according to the function of using rainwater in the house. To prevent debris from getting into the barrel, it is equipped with a lid into which the end of the drainpipe is cut. Or they cover it with a net - in such a container it will be possible to collect water in the absence of a drain. These measures will also ensure the safety of children and animals.

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Where to place Where to install a barrel for collecting and storing water is not so much a question of decor as of functionality. Its placement will determine how the water will be stored and how it can be used. And also how it will be supplied for further use.

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Household business: How to make a site more convenient without losing its decorative effect The most obvious location is in places of intense drainage: near the house and buildings under drainpipes. However, rainwater will also be collected in a separate container, although less efficiently without a large drainage surface. In this case, the tank should have a wide open neck. You can equip it with a funnel-shaped end to increase the area for collecting water for irrigation and other needs. About the grid and removable cover You should also not forget. Regardless of whether you place the tank near the house or install it separately, it is convenient to place it on a hill. Already when installing the barrel at a height of 0.5-1 meter, water for many functions can be obtained without using a pump.
By gravity, you can organize drip irrigation of your garden by installing automatic or mechanical water supply valves. Also, without using additional equipment, you can rinse tools, dirty shoes or fill a bucket of water.

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Good question: Why does a house need a porch? By installing the tank even higher, you will get the simplest gravity country shower with natural heating of water by the sun. The main thing here is to ensure the reliability of the supports and frame. And also monitor the balance of water heating - the sun can bring it to scorching temperatures. Here, on the contrary, protection from sunlight is provided. Draining rainwater from the roof is easy to organize, as is maintaining the system. But you will have to use a pump to supply water.

The comfort of country life largely depends on communications, including an autonomous water supply system. Typically, water intake occurs from a well or borehole located on the territory suburban area, but sometimes this water is not enough, and you have to find additional, backup sources. One of them is collecting rainwater from the roof of a house, bathhouse or utility room.

Benefits of using rainwater

If a country house - permanent place residence of a person, then to serve his needs about 130-160 liters of clean water are needed every day. A large number of The liquid goes to watering flower beds, beds, and lawns. It becomes clear why rainwater will never be superfluous.

Let's remember the summer showers at the dacha. Water accumulates in a large container raised above the ground. Under the sun, it heats up and becomes comfortable for use on a hot day. If you slightly modify the primitive water supply system, you can get water resources not only the soul, but also the entire country house.

Rainwater collection systems: 1 - water level sensor; 2 - float filter; 3 - water level control; 4 - centrifugal pump; 5 - container made of polyethylene; 6 - siphon; 7 - filter

Is water collected after rain good for washing or even taking a shower? Undoubtedly! In my own way chemical composition it is much softer and safer than city tap water. The sufficient amount of oxygen in the composition makes it ideal for watering plants. Only in one case can precipitation be harmful - if there is an industrial enterprise or a large city nearby.

Attention! Water collected after rain should not be used for drinking or cooking. It is only suitable for technical needs - washing, cleaning, watering, washing the car. Or it needs to be passed through a serious cleaning system.

One of the advantages of rain harvesting is that it requires virtually no investment: you only need to spend money once on installing a container and laying pipes. The only negative is the dependence on the amount of precipitation. In dry summers there is no need to count on an additional source.

When installing a storage tank, do not forget about insurance against excess water. At the top of the tank, a drain is made leading to the sewer, through which excess flows off.

Choosing a suitable roof for the system

Not every building or house is suitable for collecting water, since the roof configuration and roofing material affect the quality of the liquid. It is recommended to immediately exclude flat roofs for two reasons:

• rainwater does not drain naturally;

water stagnates on the roof surface in the form of puddles, which are a breeding ground for bacteria.

Any sloping roof can be equipped with a water collection system using a structure assembled from gutters, downpipes, connectors and fasteners

Thus, a rainwater collection system is installed on buildings that have a lean-to or gable roof with some slant best option– from 10° and more. Water flows down a steep roof much faster, therefore it does not have time to become dirty.

Attention! Some roofing materials contain substances harmful to human health - copper, lead, asbestos. Water should not be collected from roofs covered with asbestos slate or copper tiles. Gutters and downspouts containing copper or lead are also excluded.

Modern modular plastic drainage structures are absolutely safe; moreover, they not only serve to collect water, but are also a decorative element of the building

Keep rainwater clean clay tiles, galvanized metal and modified plastic, from which modern drainage structures are made. Bitumen coatings are also relatively safe.

Installation of a water collection system

In order for water from the roof to get into the pipes, and from them to the distribution points in the house and outside it, it is necessary to think through a system that provides for initial accumulation and subsequent distribution. The main components of the system are a storage tank and a water supply system.

Installation of storage tank

A water collection container is necessary to maintain the required fluid level in the system. Any tank made of safe material can be used as a rainwater storage tank: concrete, polyethylene, galvanized steel. The main property of the material for the production of the storage device is stability; it should not dissolve in water and change its chemical composition.

Installing a storage tank on the surface of the ground near the house has two advantages: there is no need to dig a special pit and you can use water for irrigation without using a pump.

Rainwater collection tank installed in the ground - the best option from an aesthetic point of view. Besides, water in cold soil will never “bloom”

There are several ways to install a storage tank:

• install directly under drainpipes on the ground surface;
• bury in the ground near the house;
• place it in the basement or utility room.

The preferred option is to place the tank in the ground, since coolness prevents the development of microorganisms. But two points must be taken into account: the level of soil freezing and the level of groundwater. If all conditions are satisfactory, you need to select a container. It's better to stop at large volume(2-3 thousand liters) so that there is always a supply.

The drive is installed according to the following algorithm:

• We dig out the pit. Its dimensions should be slightly larger than the dimensions of the drive.
• At the bottom of the pit we arrange a sand cushion 20 cm thick.
• Lower the water container.
• We fill the voids on all sides of the container with sand.
• We install pipes and a pump.
• Close the neck of the tank with a lid.

When cold weather sets in, it is worth taking care of the safety of the system until the next season. The pump should be removed, cleaned and stored in a warm room, and the lid of the container should be tightly sealed and covered with a thick layer of sand, thereby protecting it from freezing.

Instead of one large tank, you can place several containers in the ground, connected by pipes. Having thought through the water filtration system, it is possible to arrange additional cleaning

Water supply installation

In order for water to flow from the drain into the container, and from it into the house, it is necessary to lay a pipeline. Standard PVC products are excellent for outdoor installation. Water flows from the roof into the reservoir naturally, since it is located below, but it is supplied to the house forcibly, that is, using a pump. If a centrifugal pump is used, its installation location should be next to the storage tank - as low as possible.

Sample of a household centrifugal pump - FORWARD FWP-550J. Immersion depth - 8 meters, power - 550 W, throughput - 2.4 cubic meters / hour, maximum pressure - 40 meters. Price - 1800-1900 rubles

Submersible pump small size will also do.

Attention! Installing the pump on the surface of the water ensures its cleanliness, since sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank over time.

Proper equipment care

To use rainwater in your home, it must be at least clean, so infrequent but mandatory supervision of the system is required. For example, rain runoff entering the storage tank should be protected from debris and dust that accumulate on the roof. The first rain after a long drought serves as a kind of “wash” for the roof and gutters. Dirt, along with the first streams of water, rushes from the roof into gutters and pipes, so the water inlet leading to the tank simply needs to be disconnected for a while. It'll go in about an hour pure water– the pipe can be returned to its place.

Many modern drainage structures are initially equipped with devices for retaining large debris: meshes with small cells, which are located along the gutters and at the junction with pipes

Also, to purify water from large debris and leaves, coarse filters in the form of gratings and mesh baskets are installed throughout the entire system. When filters become clogged, they must be cleaned.

By installing a rainwater collection system in a country house, you will receive an additional source of water, and this is another step towards a comfortable life.