Rainwater Harvesting and Collection
Whether you’re in the country or the city, collecting and re-using rainwater is the smart way to prepare for water shortages and save up to 40% on your household water bill. You can use rainwater for everything from watering your garden and washing your car, right through to bathing and drinking. Depending on how you want to use it, there are several set up options available. So, how do you get started and what exactly do you need to harvest rainwater?
What is rainwater harvesting? It sounds fancy, but rainwater harvesting is simply collecting rainwater in a tank to be reused around your home.
What do you need to harvest rainwater?
Due to the ongoing concerns with municipal water supply, many new builds are now required to have some sort of rainwater harvesting specified, but what specific tools do you need to harvest rainwater?
- Water tank. Most rainwater is harvested directly off the roof of your home and travels down through pipes to a water tank, that sits either above or below the ground.
- Gutter guards. While not essential, gutter guards help reduce organic matter from entering the water tank. Regular tank sterilisation is also recommended.
- Water pump. You’ll need a pump (submersible or surface) to transfer the water from the tank to where it needs to go. The size of the pump will depend on what you are using the water for e.g., the whole house or just the garden.
- Automatic controller. We also recommend a controller such as the Davey Rainbank, which automatically selects the water source you draw from—with rainwater given priority over mains supply. Mains water will be supplied when the tank is empty or in the event of a power outage.
- Water filtration. If you’re planning on using your rainwater for drinking, cooking and showering, you’ll want to ensure it is safe and tastes good. Read more about three-stage UV water filtration below.
Three-stage filtration with UV disinfection
Although collected rainwater is generally very good regarding mineral and chemical components, it is in MOST CASES contaminated with microorganisms from the faecal matter of birds, possums, cats, mice, and rats. Your roof is also prone to gathering fallen leaves and other debris which can easily make their way into the water supply.
If you want your rainwater collection system to be used for everything, including bathing, cooking, and drinking, then the Ministry of Health recommends enlisting a two-barrier approach, namely, filtration followed by disinfection.
We can provide a number of solutions to suit your requirements, however the simplest and most effective solution is to follow a three-stage filtration model.
Stage 1 – Coarse filtration – a pleated cartridge removes bulk solids
Stage 2 – Fine filtration – a fine depth cartridge traps giardia and cryptosporidium cysts
Stage 3 – UV disinfection – ultraviolet light inactivates bacterial and viral contaminants
You’ll be left with water that’s safe to drink and tastes great!
Take a look at how the Davey Rainbank EVO works and how easy it is to install.
Does tank water affect water pressure?
Does tank water affect water pressure?Many people still assume that you’ll never get adequate pressure if you’re using tank water, but in the 21st century, this simply isn’t the case! With the right pump, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy high water pressure from your tank. Find out more about choosing the right pump.
Surviving a water shortage – how rainwater harvesting is the way of the future
New Zealand, and particularly the North is no stranger to water restrictions with one in a 100-year droughts experienced in Auckland and other parts of the country over the past couple of decades.
So it stands to reason that regional authorities have, and will continue to, look at options to treat household water and encourage the installation of collection and re-use facilities.
Fortunately, harvesting rainwater at home is something homeowners can do now to ensure they are not relying solely on an uncertain municipal supply. Wherever you are in the country, if you have a rainwater harvester that is sitting idle or if you want help to get one up and running – PASLR is here to assist you.
Davey AquaShield 2.0 Competitive pricing, incredible benefits
Davey AquaShield 2.0 Competitive pricing, incredible benefitsDavey AquaShield 2.0 has two superior plug-and-play packages for domestic water boosting and treatment. The perfect solution for rainwater harvesting or switching between tank and mains, the system delivers constant pressure, energy efficiency, and water savings for medium to large homes.