Rainwater Harvesting: The Best Practices To Achieve Sustainable Use

04 Oct

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We will discuss the most effective ways to collect and utilise rainwater for domestic purposes. It is a natural resource that can be gathered through cost-effective solutions in your backyard.

Roofs are designed to gather the water and drain it through the gutters. If this water can be collected and filtered, it can be stored for months at a time. Moving forward, we will discuss the best ways for sustainable rainwater harvesting.

Is your water bill higher in the dry season?

In Britain, the water charges are decided annually, and it is both fixed charges and usage measured through a water meter billed monthly. A typical household consumes 330 litres or more, according to official data. Bills tend to stay higher in the dry season as it requires more use across the household, adding to expenses.

With record-breaking heat and persistent drought across the country, it is essential to save up the rainwater throughout the year.

What do you need to start harvesting rainwater?

You can start saving water right away. The Environment Agency encourages rainwater harvesting, and you do not require a special license. There are four main components required for the harvesting system:

A Water Tank to store the water
Sediment Filter
Pump to deliver water to the house
Overflow System

When it rains, water from your roof is collected in a water tank, usually put underground. There is a sediment filter to prevent large debris from entering the system. A pump is installed, delivering the stored water to your house. An overflow system will discharge the excess water as the rainwater volume exceeds your capacity, more often than you think.

How much cost can you expect to save?

Typically, rainwater harvesting systems can cost around £3500, a basic system that stores 7500 litres. There are minimal maintenance costs, and you can use the water throughout the year.

There are essentially two different systems that you can opt for. We have explained both systems and the pros and cons of choosing either.

Underground Tank Storage

The tank is placed underground, and plumbing is attached from the gutters to the tank. Rain collected from the roof is stored in the underground tank. A submersible pump is used to pump the water throughout the house.

The tank sitting underground will prevent the water from freezing in the winter. Although the water is limited by the roof size, it is generally cleaner water that reduces dependence on the city source.

Gravity-Fed System

On the other hand, a gravity-fed system would require less power as the tank would be placed on the level of the rooftop. A pressure pump is required that would ensure smooth flow. Treating it chemically is also possible to obtain drinkable water.

Surface Run-off Collection

Rainwater can also be collected as it flows through the drains redirected to temporary ponds. A large amount of water can be collected this way. This water would mainly be groundwater recharge and non-potable. If required, the water can be used for garden applications.

Any of these methods can contribute to saving the water bill and help during the summer when there are shortages.

Some water companies like Thames Water and Anglian Water are facilitating rainwater harvesting. Garden watering, car washing, and other household uses drive up the demand in summer. Although the UK is known for rain, the drought creates further shortages.

Saving rainwater would only benefit long-term, as it’s essentially a free resource. The real savings would be in the water bill, which is averaging £450 by now. As hotter summers are becoming the norm, it is worth investing in a Rainwater Harvesting System.