Rain harvesting system

Operating in rural areas, the simplest technology proves to be the best.

Though more costly , plastic systems are durable, light to transport, reliable, and need quite simple skills to install. For a system to be used its benefits must be seen immediately.It has been shown in other projects in the delta that cement tanks are prone to leakage , difficult to build and maintain. Boreholes and overhead tanks are eyewateringly expensive, and again corrosion, ground water contamination and lack of servicing results in cessation of use.

We have seen villages adopt this method from simply the description of an observed installation elsewhere, the community puchasing the equipment and building it themselves.

 

	Roof should be clean, in good condition and free from overhanging branches.A simple calculation of 1mm rainfall over 1sq metre should produce 1 litre of water.This allows for estimating the tank size. A muslin ball with retaining wire is inserted just proximal to the down pipe, to act as a simple filter.
	The guttering is made from sawing in half a universal drainpipe. A short bevelled end section (approx 12 inches) is used with a plug for the distal end of the run and an identical section , though open at the other end to fit the round 90 degree angle joint attaching to the down pipe. (as seen in above picture)
	A variety of joints can be used to draw runs together into a common fallpipe. It is important to ensure filters are used for each run, and regularly cleaned and changed.Whilst they will not filter bacteria and smaller organisms in the way bio-filters work , this system is highly effective at producing potable water.
	The fall pipe is sealed as it passes into the tank. Each tank must be regularly emptied and cleaned, and the filters inspected. Many more complex bio-filters suffer from poor maintenance and can themselves become sources of infection. This pragmatic method, in an area of high rainfall proves to be safe and efficent.