Rainwater Harvesting - Get Started
New to rainwater harvesting? Then, this is the place to get the relevant information.
Rainwater can be harvested by families living in individual houses or in apartments, and by factories, schools, and offices. The potential of harvesting rainwater depends, to an extent, on the design of the house and the amount of rainfall received by the area. Want to know how you can harvest rainwater? Then, refer to the easy-to-use rainwater harvesting calculators and the database of organizations who can guide you in the process, as listed in Action. Harvest rainwater to increase your water supply and improve water quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I recharge my borewell or traditional open well with rainwater harvesting?
Yes, you can recharge your borewell or traditional open well with rainwater harvesting. In fact, rainwater harvesting not only revives defunct tubewells and open water wells but also improves the quality of water. The replenished tubewells and open wells become the channels that carry rainwater to the ground water table and underground water reservoirs.
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Is rainwater harvesting useful for floods prone areas?
Yes, rainwater harvesting has proved to be successful in providing water for consumption during floods. This has been proved by the Megh Pyne Campaign in Bihar. For more details, click on the following link and also refer to our section on campaigns. sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/buploads/2008/09/megh_pyne_abhiyan.pdf
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Can I do rainwater harvesting?
If you are a resident of an independent house, or live in a flat in an apartment complex, then you have a good potential for harvesting rainwater. If you are an employee in an office or factory, or a teacher, you too can harvest rainwater in your work premises. In other words, harvesting rainwater is feasible for most households and corporates. Yes, certain factors like size of the area that receives the rainfall, the extent of rainfall and the storage and distribution system does influence the amount of rainwater harvesting. To learn more about getting started on rainwater harvesting, click on (Explore for calculators and Action for database)
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Can I install a rainwater harvesting system after the construction of my house or apartment is complete?
Yes, you can install a rainwater harvesting system even after the construction of your house, be it an independent one or a flat, is complete. You can even install a rainwater harvesting system in your existing house with simple modifications. You can fix pipes that divert the flow of rainfall from your terrace or garden to tanks. Many people have successfully installed rainwater harvesting systems years after they have moved in. For more on successful installations by residences and offices, click on (Hyperlink to Intro).
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My area does not received much rainfall. Can I still harvest rainwater?
Yes, you can. Rainwater harvesting can be done in areas with less or erratic rainfall. In fact, rainwater harvesting becomes even more relevant in such areas as it replenishes ground water levels and surface water resources that supply water to the residents of the area. You will benefit by designing a rainwater harvesting system that maximizes the potential of storing rainfall in the premises.
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Does the law say that I have to harvest rainwater?
Several state and national level legislations are working towards making it mandatory to integrate rainwater harvesting systems in the designs or house plans and implementing them during construction. Please click on link for state wise legislation on rainwater harvesting as compiled by Centre for Science and Environment. http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Policy/Legislation.htm Rainwater harvesting is mandatory in Bangalore as per the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill 2009, which has developed guidelines on the same.
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What is rainwater harvesting?
The rainfall on the terrace of houses or buildings and in the area around them usually flows off from the premises into external drains. Rainwater harvesting is the process where the flow of rainwater is diverted from the terrace or the ground towards a water storage tank within the premises, for example, a house, apartment block or a factory. Water from these tanks is then routed to the taps in the bathroom and the kitchen. Rainwater can be used after basic treatment for cleaning, washing, and for cooking as well as consumption.
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Is it safe to drink harvested rainwater?
You can drink treated harvested rainwater. You do not require any specialized treatment methods for making rainwater safe for human consumption. The standard methods of purification such as candle based water filters, filters with UV technology and reverse osmosis are quite effective to make harvested rainwater safe for cooking and consumption.
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Will I benefit from rainwater harvesting?
Yes. You will benefit by harvesting rainwater as it provides a feasible and sustainable solution for irregular and inadequate water supply and water of poor quality. Your dependency on Municipality supplied water and water tankers will reduce significantly. You can regulate your access and usage of water as you have control over a captive water source.
In the long run, rainwater harvesting will increase the underground water levels, making it possible for households across the country, living in mountainous terrains, coastal areas and deserts, to access good quality water for more months of the year. The following are the benefits of rainwater harvesting:
1. Improves water supply
2. Reduces dependency on water tankers
3. Rainwater can be used for multiple purposes including washing, cooking and drinking
4. Feasible in most geographical terrains including mountainous regions, coastal areas and deserts, and in areas with less rainfall.
5. Reduces risks of water flooding
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How much will rainwater harvesting cost?
Rainwater harvesting requires commonly used equipments such as PVC pipes and storage tanks which are usually found in most households. Labour charges for hiring of local expertise such as masons and plumbers will be additional. Therefore, the cost would depend on the type and length of the PVC pipes you and on additional investments for storing rainwater such as new terrace fitted, ground fitted or underground water tanks. Materials costs involve purchase of natural filtration ingredients such as pebbles, sand, small stones which are easily available. Overall, it is a one time investment with nominal expense related to maintenance of rainwater harvesting system. For more tips on getting started in rainwater harvesting, read the useful design tips developed by the Rainwater Club.
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