As temperatures reach sweltering heights and the water tables all over are increasingly getting depleted, it is the ultimate need of the hour to find alternate sources of water. Rainwater is the purest source of water in the environment and it can substitute about 30—100% water from the main supply, for domestic uses.

Here are a few tips on how to install an effective rainwater system at home: 

1.     Make a comprehensive water budget that will fulfil your water needs, in and around the house.

2.     Opt for a dual water supply system, that will top-up the tank with water from the main supply, whenever the levels fall below minimum levels.

3.     Ensure that the roof surface of the house is well-suited to collect rainwater. Roofing with toxic lead/tar based paintings and flashings are not ideal choices. Clay/concrete/cement/composite tiles or steel sheets are much suited.

1.     Roof gutters are an essential component of the harvesting system. Make sure that their dimensions allow sunlight to pass through them and doesn’t cause logging of debris in it. Waterlogged gutters can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. To allow complete drainage of water collected, the gutter outlets must be fixed to the underside of the gutter.

2.     Ensure that all pipes that hold water should have their openings sealed by insect-proof screens at the junction where it enters into the rainwater tank, as well as the outlet from the tank.

3.     A first flush diverter is installed on the downpipe, this will help remove the most contaminated rainwater from getting into the tank.

1.     Choose a tank made of dark, opaque material that doesn’t get affected by temperature variations. It should also not be a safe haven for algal growth. In case of algal problem, drain and clean the tank thoroughly.

2.     Choose a spot with enough shade and ensure that the tanks have lids that are close fitting and insect proof.

3.     While drawing water, remember to draw water about one third of the way from the top of the tank which is the aerobic zone for household chores. But for uses outside the home, water from the bottom of the tank, which is the anaerobic zone needs to be taken.

1.     Meticulous maintenance of the rainwater harvesting system plays an important role in getting good quality water. Registering your rain harvesting system with the local municipal bodies will also need to be kept in consideration.

For more information on how to install rain water harvesting systems in your own home, consult some of the top top civil engineering experts and top energy engineering experts in India and get expert advice at the earliest, to make the best out of coming rainy season, on www.solvemyproblemm.com