Own house outside the city limits, near a forest and some reservoir, in a place where the air is not filled with smog is the dream of any city dweller. Just choosing a suitable site and building a house is not enough; the problem of supplying technical and drinking water must also be solved. Let's find out how you can get water outside the city in the absence of a central water supply.

Water requirements

Regardless of the place of residence, each person needs at least 150 liters of water daily - for drinking, cooking and for other household needs. For irrigation sq. m garden, flower garden or lawn will take about 30 liters of water per week. Central water supply in cottage settlements is ineffective even in summer, and in winter it is completely absent, because otherwise the pipes will freeze and be torn. Of course, the owners of suburban real estate can provide themselves with bottled drinking water, purchasing and bringing it with them every time they visit the dacha, but what about personal hygiene, wet cleaning of the premises and watering the plants on the site?

For domestic needs and for irrigation, water can be obtained from the following sources - precipitation, nearby open reservoirs and springs, groundwater (pressure and non-pressure). Waters on the surface of the earth (lakes) and those lying near it (perched water) accumulate due to atmospheric precipitation, in places of occurrence they are kept by water-resistant layers under them, usually formed by clay. The groundwater and interstratal waters lying at a greater depth (from 1.5 m) are suitable for drinking, but quickly become polluted if there is water near their location. cesspool, barnyard or garbage dump. Artesian waters are deeper than others - their horizon starts at a level of 70-100 m or more, they are pressure and have an almost constant volume.

Rain water - collection and accumulation

In the water of atmospheric origin, salts are almost completely absent, that is, it is softer than that supplied to houses from the central water supply. The acid reaction of rain is most often neutral, its drops contain a significant amount of oxygen, so rainwater is ideal for irrigation. But such water may contain heavy metals suspended in the lower layers of the atmosphere, hazardous chemical compounds, fuel combustion products and dust particles, which will significantly reduce its quality. However, the percentage of harmful components in the rain is directly dependent on the nearby large enterprises of the metallurgical, chemical, oil refining and other industries, large transport hubs, as well as megacities.

From a practical point of view, the advantage of rainwater is that it is completely free, and the disadvantage is the inconsistency of rains, which can fall for several days in a row, and may be absent for weeks. The simplest way collection of atmospheric moisture - barrels and troughs substituted under the gutters. However, it has a drawback - the water accumulated in this way for irrigation and utility needs will not be enough for the entire warm season, since the total volume of improvised storage is small. To provide a country house with technical water collected during the rains, it will be necessary to build a system capable of accumulating the necessary volumes of rainwater and ensuring its delivery to consumers.

The quality characteristics of the water collected during rain are affected by the design of the roof and the type of roofing. A pitched roof - with a slope greater than 10° - will provide more efficient water collection than a roof with a lower pitch. In addition, on the pitched roof there will be no puddles of water protruding on flat roofs in the role of a cage for microorganisms that penetrate after the next rain into storage tanks and spoil the water.

It is not recommended to collect rainwater from a roof covered with asbestos slate, which has lead and copper elements in the sheathing! Slate contains amphibole asbestos fibers, the penetration of which into the human body causes serious lung diseases. Supersaturation of water with lead and copper ions affects the central nervous system human, impairs plant growth. In addition to roofing materials, you should pay attention to the means of delivering water to storage tanks - downpipes and gutters, make sure that they do not contain lead. The roof and its elements made of galvanized metal, natural tiles, polyvinyl chloride and other materials that do not contain asbestos, lead and copper are quite suitable for collecting rainwater.

To collect the required amount of water that can completely solve the problem of irrigating the territory country house, you will need a capacious tank made of galvanized steel, polyethylene, concrete, etc. The materials that form the storage tank should not change their properties over time, and also affect the chemical composition of water. It is easier to use a ready-made polyethylene container with opaque walls. The rainwater tank can be installed on the surface or placed below ground level - buried in the ground or located in the basement of the house. It would be rational to bury the container in the ground, which will ensure natural cooling of the water collected in it, and prevent the development of microorganisms and algae in it.

Drive Installation

The advantage of tanks located in the basement or underground is that they do not need to be emptied in the fall - provided that the temperature in the basement is not below zero, and most of the buried tank is located below the freezing level of the soil. The capacity of the tank installed in the basement can be from 750 to 2000 liters, its width usually does not exceed 800 mm, which simplifies the transportation of the tank through standard doorways to the location. If necessary, you can combine several tanks with each other using plastic pipes with a diameter of 50-100 mm, inserted through a detachable connection into lower part each container.

Placing a storage tank in the ground is possible if the groundwater level is low. For this purpose, large volume containers are suitable: 2000-3000 liters. The pit needs to be dug deeper and wider overall dimensions tank - a 200-250 mm layer of coarse sand is poured onto the bottom of the pit; capacity is set; coarse sand is poured between the storage tank body and the walls of the pit, with a layer of 200-250 mm. The distance from the neck of the tank to the ground should be from 200 to 500 mm, after inserting a pipe into it, through which rainwater will flow, and a submersible pump that will pump water out of the tank, it is necessary to close the hole leading to it with a lid. Before the start of the cold season, the pump is removed from the tank, and the cavity above the closed neck is filled with sand. A sand cushion under the tank and along the perimeter of its walls will protect the tank from soil pressure, backfilling the neck from freezing.

If it rains for a long time, the water may overflow the reservoir. Therefore, when installing an underground tank, it makes sense to equip it with a drain-overflow pipe capable of draining excess water into the storm sewer - the outlet from the storage tank must be equipped with a siphon (water seal) that prevents odors from entering from the sewer, as well as a check valve that prevents water from sewers get inside the storage tank.

In the event of a prolonged absence of precipitation and emptying of the storage tank during irrigation, it must be filled with tap water or delivered from a well - it is not recommended to keep the underground tank empty, because it can be damaged by soil movements. To determine the degree of emptying of the container, it is necessary to mark the inner wall with white paint, marking at least 1/3, 1/2 and 2/3 of the internal volume - in this case, it will be possible to determine the amount of water visually using a flashlight.

Conditions for the accumulation, storage and use of rainwater

Dry weather without any precipitation, which has been established for several days, will lead to the deposition of dust and small debris on the roof. The first rain after a drought, of course, will wash away all the dirt, but it will fall into the rainwater storage tank, eventually forming a solid layer of dirt at the bottom of the tank. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to disconnect the water collection pipe from the drain for about half an hour - heavy rain will wash the roof during this time, after which the input pipe to the drive can be installed back and collect water.

Gusty winds, which usually accompany a rain front, bring branches, leaves and other large debris to the roof, which should not end up in a rainwater tank - you need to equip the gutters with removable trapping grates, and install basket filters in the drain pipes. A filter element can be installed in the neck of the storage tank, the diameter of the holes in which does not exceed 0.2 mm, however, you will have to monitor the degree of clogging of this filter, i.e. it will not work to leave the rainwater accumulation system uncontrolled for a long time.

It should be noted that, despite the filters described, the water entering the tank will have a cloudy appearance - in order to use it for domestic needs, you will either have to clean it with a filter with 5 micron holes, or give it time to settle and settle suspensions to the bottom. The second method is cheaper, but will require work on the periodic emptying of the tank, removing sediment on its bottom and walls manually (1-2 times a year). Those who have equipped the rainwater supply system with a fine filter will need to disinfect it from time to time in order to destroy the accumulated microorganisms.

Rainwater plumbing

To use the collected water for domestic needs, you will need to create a water supply system with process water. In most cases, storage tanks are located at or below ground level, so a pump is needed to operate the water supply system. Stationary models of centrifugal pumps should be installed inside the house as low as possible - on the ground floor or in the basement, which will reduce energy costs for pumping water into the water supply system and reduce its length. You can also use a compact submersible or external pump. Regardless of the selected type and model of the pump, water is taken from the reservoir only from the water surface, i.e. the water intake pipe must float on the surface of the water mirror, like a float. This method of extracting water will reduce the likelihood of penetration into the water supply of contaminants that have settled at the bottom of the tank and are suspended in the volume of water.

It is important to mark the taps and pipes inside the house through which process water flows - you can’t drink it and cook on it!

The contents of a rain tank cannot completely replace human needs for water, since even washing dishes and taking a shower with rain water is permissible only if it is multi-stage filtered. However, for other purposes - watering green spaces and territories, wet cleaning and flushing the toilet, it is quite suitable. The natural softness of such water ensures effective washing in it with a low consumption of detergents.

Researches of scientists have shown that in a number of characteristics rain water is superior to tap water, its quality is much higher than in open reservoirs. And since rains are typical for the territory of Russia, it is quite possible to use free water "from the sky" to partially solve the problems of suburban water supply.

The presence of water in the country is an integral factor in comfortable living, as well as the full provision of plants with life-giving moisture. Collecting rainwater for watering a vegetable garden is a wise use of natural resources, even if you have an autonomous water supply system on your site. Rainwater much softer than tap water, it is almost ideal for watering garden trees, vegetable crops.

It can also be used for washing dishes, for draining the toilet, but it is unsuitable for cooking. In addition to the amenities listed, collecting rainwater in the country will help you save cash for using resources from a centralized source. One factor is still worth considering - if your dacha is located near factories or near a big city, then the chemical composition of precipitation may contain harmful impurities.

How to collect rain water?

The easiest way to collect rainwater is in containers placed under downspouts. In order for the tanks not to lose their qualities over time, they must be made of reliable materials (polyethylene, ceramics, concrete, fiberglass). There is usually a flap on top of such a tank so that foliage or other dirt does not get inside. If necessary, the damper is opened or closed manually. The volume of the tank can be different - this factor depends on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site, your needs.

An old, proven option for years is a well for collecting rainwater. It is still successfully used by the villagers to this day. To equip it, they dig a deep hole, the walls of which are reinforced, and then cemented with a thick layer of concrete. All required holes are accounted for in advance. You can also use ready-made concrete rings that are installed on top of each other. In the modern version, wells are equipped with a lid, nets, grates for retaining debris, a submersible pump, sometimes a so-called emergency overflow is installed.

Well, photo:

Rainwater tanks

Rainwater harvesting is a rational way to provide additional water supply. Tanks for collecting natural precipitation can be installed above the ground or buried (above-ground or underground tanks). The simplest example a similar system is an outdoor shower, the tank of which is located on the roof, where throughout the day the water is heated in the sun, it becomes comfortable for use. A more advanced system of similar rainfall collection works in a similar way, but may additionally include cleaning filters.

Aboveground system, photo:

Above-ground capacity is most often a wall-mounted variant. Today, modern water tanks are made with an artistic approach, they are in harmony with the architecture of the house, they look very attractive. Decorative rainwater tanks may look like an antique column or amphora, in such a way that at first glance you might not guess that this is actually a tank. Water inside it comes from gutters, and the standard volume is 300-2000 liters.

Photo of the wall tank:

The amount of collected water significantly depends on the modification of the roof, the type of roofing. If the roof has a hip or pitched structure, then its angle of inclination will contribute to a better convergence of water to gutters and drains. In addition, dirt accumulates less on such roofs, respectively - the water will be cleaner. The type of roof also matters, for example, dust sticks to ordinary tiles less. Some types of roofing may emit chemical substances, which, together with precipitation, enter the rainwater collection tank - all these factors should be taken into account. On flat roofs minimum slope water lingers longer (more dirt is collected), so the additional purchase of a filter for the storage tank will be relevant.

Water quality also depends on the material of the gutters, gutters (metal items will increase the level of iron in the water), so plastic counterparts will become more appropriate. If the roof of your house is covered with asbestos slates, exclusive copper tiles, or has lead details, then it is better to refuse the idea of ​​collecting rainfall altogether. This rule also applies to gutters, gutters. But clay tiles, galvanizing, various types of plastic, bituminous roofing tiles - on the contrary, are quite appropriate, they are even able to keep rainwater clean.

In general, it is desirable that the tanks are made of dense plastic (light-tight polypropylene) - this is the best solution, because over time the metal will not succumb to corrosion. Simply put, the roof water collection system is an above-ground tank located at the outlet of the downpipe. There is a tap on this tank, when it is opened, water comes out, sometimes a water pump is used. The tank itself would be more correctly placed in a shaded place so that the direct rays of the sun do not provoke the growth of algae and microorganisms inside. If you install a storage tank, be aware of the possible excess of water. To prevent this from happening, a drain is equipped in the upper compartment of the tank, which is sent to the sewer or a specially equipped groove.

There is another option for arranging this system, where underground rainwater collection tanks are required. Such a tank will cost the owner a little more than an aboveground counterpart, in this case a water pump will definitely be required, but at the same time there will be additional advantages. A tank buried underground or installed in the basement will not take up space in the yard, there may be several tanks themselves (small ones are combined with each other). If you have small plot with a house, then this option will suit you best. An important condition for the installation of an underground catchment tank is the low level of the aquifer. The layer of bulk earth above the tank should also not be more than 50 cm. Tanks for underground catchment should be made of appropriate materials (as well as aboveground).

Installation of an underground tank, photo:

Rainwater collection system - arrangement nuances

Installing a storage tank underground is additionally good because it will always be cool, and the cold environment prevents the development of bacteria.

The steps of the process are:

1. Dig a hole of the required depth and width. It should be slightly larger than the volume of the tank.
2. Sand is poured at the bottom of the pit, about 20-30 cm (sand cushion).
3. The tank is installed.
4. Free places between the walls of the tank and the pit are covered with sand.
5. Installed pump, pipes.
6. The top of the container is closed with a lid.

With the onset of the cold season, the pump is removed from the tank, cleaned, and removed for storage. The tank lid is closed, covered with sand (or grated foam) to protect against freezing. As mentioned above, when installing an underground storage tank, you should take into account the depth of groundwater, as well as the degree of soil freezing in your area.

With any type of tank installation, the sediment must undergo elementary cleaning, so the presence of a filter or a very fine metal strainer will be relevant. Modern system rainwater collection includes a tank, level sensors, a pump, a float filter, a siphon. The pump must be installed on the surface of the water - so it will be supplied cleaner. Whatever filters are installed, sediment at the bottom of the tank will definitely form.

If you are thinking about such a system, then the drainpipes themselves, as well as the transition points to them from the gutters, can be equipped in advance with fine-mesh nets and gratings. All these elements should be easy to clean as they get dirty. Rainwater collection is carried out by means of a pump. If you choose a centrifugal pump, then install it next to the water storage tank, but as low as possible.

Remember that excess water means longer storage, additional cleaning methods. The selected tank size should match your needs. In order to avoid damage to the system, the development of bacteria, the water should not stagnate. The filtration system should have a “dirty” filter at the inlet to the tank and another one at the outlet (ideally with activated carbon). Some storage tanks already have additional internal filters. Rainwater collection on the site can be designed with a creative approach, picking up all the elements of the system (including the roof) in the same style. Details of gutters, drains, storage tanks can also be made from the same material. If everything is done in a single color combination, design, the system will look appropriate, harmonious.

With a practical approach to business, a well-equipped collection of rainwater for irrigation will protect your home from the accumulation of excess moisture, soil erosion near the foundation. The rain collection system is a rational invention for your comfort, safety of money.

The comfort of country life largely depends on communications, including an autonomous water supply system. Usually, water intake comes from a well or a well located on the territory of a suburban area, but sometimes this water is not enough, and additional, backup sources have to be found. One of them is the collection of rainwater from the roof of a house, bathhouse or utility room.

Benefits of using rainwater

If a country house is a permanent place of residence of a person, then about 130-160 liters of clean water are needed every day to serve his needs. A large amount of liquid is spent on watering flower beds, beds, lawns. It becomes clear why rainwater will never be superfluous.

Let's remember summer showers in the country. In a large container raised above the ground, water accumulates. Under the sun, it heats up and becomes comfortable for use on a hot day. If you slightly modify the primitive water supply system, then you can get water supply not only for the soul, but for the entire country house.

Rainwater collection systems: 1 - water level sensor; 2 - float filter; 3 - water level control; 4 - centrifugal pump; 5 - container made of polyethylene; 6 - siphon; 7 - filter

Is water collected after rain good for washing or even taking a shower? Undoubtedly! In my own way chemical composition it is much softer and safer than urban tap water. A sufficient amount of oxygen in the composition makes it ideal for watering plants. Only in one case can precipitation be harmful - if there is an industrial enterprise or a large city nearby.

Attention! Water collected after rain cannot be used for drinking or cooking. It is suitable only for technical needs - washing, cleaning, watering, washing the car. Or it needs to be passed through a serious cleaning system.

One of the advantages of rain collection is that it requires almost no investment: you only need to invest once in installing a tank and laying pipes. The only negative is the dependence on the amount of precipitation. In a dry summer, you do not have to rely on an additional source.

When installing a storage tank, do not forget about insurance against excess water. In the upper part of the tank, a branch is made leading to the sewer, through which the excess flows

Choosing the right roof for the system

Not every building or house is suitable for collecting water, as roof configuration and roofing material affect the quality of the liquid. Flat roofs are recommended to be immediately excluded for two reasons:

• rainwater runoff is devoid of natural drainage;

water stagnates on the surface of the roof in the form of puddles, which are a breeding ground for bacteria.

Any sloping roof can be equipped with a water collection system using a structure assembled from gutters, downpipes, connectors and fasteners

Thus, a rainwater harvesting system is installed on buildings that have a shed or gable roof with some slope best option– from 10° and more. On a steep roof, water flows much faster, therefore, it does not have time to get dirty.

Attention! Some roofing materials contain substances that are harmful to human health - copper, lead, asbestos. Do not collect water from roofs covered with asbestos slates or copper tiles. Gutters and drains containing copper or lead are also excluded.

Modern modular plastic gutter structures are absolutely safe, moreover, they not only serve to collect water, but are also a decorative element of the building.

Clay tiles, galvanized metal and modified plastic, from which modern gutter structures are made, will keep rainwater clean. Relatively safe and bituminous coatings.

Installing a water collection system

In order for water from the roof to get into the pipes, and from them to the points of analysis in the house and outside it, it is necessary to think over a system that provides for initial accumulation and subsequent wiring. The main components of the system are storage and water supply.

Storage tank installation

A water collection tank is needed to maintain the correct level of liquid in the system. As a rainwater storage tank, you can use any tank made of safe material: concrete, polyethylene, galvanized steel. The main property of the material for the production of the drive is stability, it should not dissolve in water and change its chemical composition.

Installing a storage tank on the ground near the house has two advantages: you do not need to dig a special pit and you can use water for irrigation without using a pump

A rainwater tank installed in the ground is the best option from an aesthetic point of view. In addition, the water in the cold earth will never "bloom"

There are several ways to mount the storage tank:

• install directly under drainpipes on the surface of the earth;
• bury in the ground near the house;
• place in the basement or utility room.

The preferred option is to place the tank in the ground, as the coolness prevents the development of microorganisms. But two points must be taken into account: the level of soil freezing and the level of groundwater location. If all conditions are satisfactory, it is necessary to choose a container. It is better to stop at a large volume (2-3 thousand liters), so that there is always a supply.

The drive is installed according to the following algorithm:

• We dig out the pit. Its dimensions should be slightly larger than the dimensions of the drive.
• At the bottom of the pit we arrange a sand cushion 20 cm thick.
• Lower the water tank.
• We fill the voids on all sides of the container with sand.
• Install pipes and pump.
• We close the neck of the tank with a lid.

When the cold comes, you should take care of the safety of the system until the next season. The pump should be removed, cleaned and stored in a warm room, and the container lid should be tightly sealed and covered with a thick layer of sand on top, thereby protecting it from freezing.

Instead of one large reservoir, several containers can be placed in the ground, connected by pipes. Having thought over the water filtration system, it is possible to arrange additional purification

Water supply device

In order for water to get from the drain into the tank, and from it into the house, it is necessary to lay a pipeline. Standard PVC products for outdoor installation are excellent. Water enters the tank from the roof naturally, since it is lower, but the supply to the house is carried out forcibly, that is, with the help of a pump. If a centrifugal pump is used, then its installation location should be near the storage tank - as low as possible.

Household sample centrifugal pump- FORWARD FWP-550J. Immersion depth - 8 meters, power - 550 W, throughput - 2.4 cubic meters / hour, maximum head - 40 meters. Price - 1800-1900 rubles

A small submersible pump will also work.

Attention! Installing the pump on the surface of the water ensures its purity, as sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank over time.

Proper maintenance of equipment

In order to use rainwater in the home, it must be at least clean, so infrequent but mandatory supervision of the system is required. For example, it is necessary to protect against debris and dust that accumulate on the roof, rainwater that enters the storage tank. The first rain after a long drought serves as a kind of "wash" for the roof and gutters. Dirt, along with the first streams of water, rushes from the roof into the gutters and pipes, so the water intake leading to the tank just needs to be disconnected for a while. After about an hour, clean water will flow - the pipe can be returned to its place.

Many modern gutter structures are initially equipped with devices for retaining large debris: fine-mesh nets that are located along the gutters and at the junctions with pipes

Also, to purify water from large debris and leaves, coarse filters in the form of gratings and mesh baskets are installed throughout the system. Filters need to be cleaned as they become clogged.

By installing a rainwater collection system in a country house, you will receive an additional source of water, and this is another step towards a comfortable life.

Atmospheric water without purification can be used for any purpose other than human consumption. Installing a rainwater harvesting system provides an additional source of water supply, which helps save money. It is better to refuse to collect precipitation if the cottage is located near factories or plants.

Living in a country house requires enormous costs for housing maintenance - water supply, electricity, gas supply. A lot of water is spent on watering the garden and the garden, and in order to save at least a little, smart owners use rainwater to water the beds.

Tap water with impurities of heavy metals must be defended so that the elements settle to the bottom, and the water becomes a little cleaner.

The use of rainwater will significantly save on water costs, and it is much cleaner, softer and safer. rain and melt water can only be used for household purposes - watering the garden, washing the car, washing. Do not drink rain water!

You can lay a pipeline that will deliver water to the plot with beds.

The amount of water depends on the frequency of precipitation, if the summer is dry, then little water will be collected. Conversely, during heavy rains, the tank may overflow, so you need to install a special drain through which excess water will drain from the tank.

How to choose a rainwater tank: search criteria

The choice of container depends, first of all, on the purpose of using water. The tanks can be used to store potable water or rainwater.

Capacity selection criteria:

• The material from which it is made;
• Volume of the tank;
• container shape.

A large tank designed to collect and store rainwater is installed in a place where it may be needed the most. Usually it is near buildings - houses or greenhouses. You can install the tank in the garage or shed.

The collection of rainfall will significantly save the cost of water supply when used for watering the garden. Very often in the country the water supply is stopped, so the presence of barrels of water for irrigation is a must. The volume of the container can be different - from 100 to 5000 liters, the optimal amount of water for irrigation is about 3000 liters.

Important! The material from which the barrel is made must not contain lead and copper.

Stainless steel is considered the strongest and most durable. Containers from of stainless steel can be used to store both technical and drinking water. The shape of the containers is a tank or rectangular.

Dense plastic is also used to make water containers. There are barrels various forms and colors, they are not deformed, their price is quite acceptable. metal barrels are considered an economical option, they are inferior in quality to stainless containers.

It is undesirable to install containers in the open sun, microorganisms will begin to multiply in the water, the walls of the barrel will be covered with greenery.

Water storage tank: types of containers

Accumulators for atmospheric precipitation can be either a primitive capacity or complex design. For example, a battery assembled from several special plastic tanks interconnected by a drainage system.

Tanks can be divided into two types - ground and underground. For each of them there are rules of operation.

Underground tanks should be placed in the ground so that there is no more than 50 cm of soil above the tank. On the sides and bottom, it will be right to fill it with sand, at least 20 cm thick. The tank must be sealed so that insects do not fly into it. If water long time stands, it must be poured either onto the site or into the sewer, which requires the installation of pumps and check valves so that water from the sewer does not return to the tank.

For ground tanks, everything is much simpler, but you need to take into account weather or temperature around. It must not fall below 0°C, otherwise the water tank may burst. If the tank is empty, it is also undesirable to leave it at sharp temperature changes, especially if it is made of plastic. Home-made structures made of metal or polypropylene are also good, but care should be taken to strengthen the sides, because when filled, the load will increase significantly.

Rainwater harvesting system: DIY installation

The simplest rainfall collection system includes gutters, hoses, and water tanks. The water gutter is attached around the entire perimeter of the roof with special brackets. In the corner of the house, a downpipe descends from the gutter, through which rainwater will flow directly into a barrel located directly under the pipe.

If the water collectors are located above ground level, it is enough to connect the hose to the tank and lead it to its destination - a vegetable garden, greenhouse or garden. You can make the wiring of pipes leading to the toilet in the drain tank. Under natural pressure, the water itself will flow out of the barrel.

If the water collection tank is in the basement or buried in the ground, a pump will be needed to distribute water throughout the site.

Water pipes and pump must be chosen carefully. The device must be made of a material that does not corrode.

The collected water can be used for washing and showering, and it is desirable to filter it. The filter is a cleaning device that is installed at the inlet to the tank and at the outlet of it, so purified water can even be used for washing dishes.

Installation of rainwater collection for irrigation (video)

Rain and melt water is an excellent solution for watering cultivated plants in the country or your own home. To use water after rain for washing dishes or bathing, you need high-quality cleaning from small debris that enters the barrel through the drain.

There are three simple steps in rainwater drainage in the country house - direct, slow down and absorb. Depending on the region, we all do it a little different ways.

Someone struggles with abundant runoff water on a site on a slope, someone carefully collects rainwater for a vegetable garden, while others simply want to divert stormwater from the foundation of the house.
The simplest drainage system is a drain, which directs all rainwater from the roof to the ground.
Instead of a traditional drain, drain chains, which you can make yourself, do the same job well - this, compared to a drainpipe, is simple and inexpensive.

Traditionally, gardeners collect rainwater for irrigation. You can slightly improve the usual barrel for water: at the bottom we will add an outlet for the garden hose, we will lower the overflow hose from above, and we will lead the drain itself directly into the barrel. To do this, it is more convenient to use a flexible module for the drain.

If a lot of rainwater needs to be collected, then a more complex water collection system can be assembled, which is based on simple rule communicating vessels. There can be as many such rain barrels interconnected as you like.

If the task is simply to divert rainwater from the foundation of the house, then simple drainage can be done: a shallow trench with sand and pebbles will reliably drain excess water by 3-4 m.

If the roof area is large or there is a significant slope on the site, then a more voluminous drainage system is made, with an underground reservoir, as shown in the diagram.

One of the modern methods of water drainage is the rain garden, an inexpensive and beautiful way of drainage. Such a garden looks like a regular flower garden, but it absorbs water 30% better.

The rain garden is a flower bed of wild plants, which is located in a small depression on the site. The soil for such a garden is mixed in a special way: sand, compost, soil; in order to enhance the absorption capacity of the flower garden.

If the groundwater level in your summer cottage is high enough - 50 cm, then this type of drainage will not suit you. In addition, for a clay area, gravel must be added to the bottom.

We plant wild plants in the rain garden, they usually easily withstand a large amount of moisture, and can grow in arid conditions. For a new flower garden, we mulch plantings with heavy mulch - needles, etc., so that the water does not carry it away.

In the rain garden, you can plant not only herbs and flowers, but also shrubs, which are best planted at the edge of the inflow of water - this way they will slow down the flow of water and prevent smaller plants from washing away.

A rain garden, as a way to drain rainwater and drain the site, is suitable not only for draining runoff from the roof, but also for gardens with a slight slope.

The good drainage that this beautiful flower bed will provide with a little secret will reduce the number of mosquitoes in the garden and keep your paths dry.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

idealsad.com

Rainwater harvesting system: how to arrange and use

The device of an autonomous water supply system is necessary wherever there is no centralized network, that is, in country houses and dachas. The main source of water in remote locations is usually a well or well, but to save water reserves, you can get an alternative option that uses precipitation.

We will try to figure out how the rainwater collection system works and how effective it is.

Options for the use of precipitation

Everything is in order with fresh water reserves in Russia, however, the most economic owners of private lands have begun to think more and more about the rational use of natural resources. Along with solar panels and homemade windmills, they create versatile rainwater harvesting systems that work well on dry days or when the well runs out of water.

Excellent practical experience exists in Germany, Holland, Belgium and other European countries. Considering that it is simply inexpedient to waste water from a tap for flushing a toilet tank, Europeans came up with many schemes for using absolutely free, but no less useful natural water.

Scheme home system water supply includes the following important components: a field for collecting water (roof), a pipeline, a storage tank, pumping equipment, a filtration system (+)

Thanks to the use of rainwater, the cost of depreciation of pumping and cleaning equipment is reduced, and personal budget is saved. The system is so simple that in the absence of a completely finished factory model, you can always assemble it yourself.

The main purpose of the drainage system is to collect the maximum amount of rainwater and move it to a storage tank. Further, the liquid is used for various household needs: washing, washing, cleaning, watering. For irrigation, additional purification is not needed, but for showering or washing dishes, the water must be filtered. To this end, several filters are inserted into the plumbing, and both coarse and fine cleaning will be required.

To drain excess water or carry out cleaning procedures, drill another hole in the tank and install a pipe leading to the sewer system (+)

A reserve tank with water can help out both in case of a shortage of water from the main source, and in the event of force majeure. If you decide to clean the well, then the volumetric tank will allow you to wash, and wash, and water the summer crops. Instead of one container, you can install several, then you do not have to save.

How to organize rainwater collection for your home

Installation of rainwater harvesting equipment does not require permits or compliance with any strict regulations. At its core, this is a variant of the usual drainage system, but more rational. In order for the accumulation and transportation of water to be more efficient, it is necessary to take into account some nuances - the condition of the roof, types of storage tanks, the possibility of quickly pumping water into the house.

What should be the roof

There is a popular opinion that only sloping roofs are suitable as a working surface for collecting water. Indeed, when water flows by gravity into the gutters located around the perimeter, it is easier to organize its movement in the right direction. To do this, you do not need to install additional "traps" and lay communications under the roof.

In fact, there are systems designed for flat roofs. When laying layers of insulation and waterproofing, a slope of at least 3% is observed, and a gutter or tray is installed at the lowest point to collect water.

Among the catchment devices of flat roofs are also funnels attached to downpipes. Risers can be located both inside the building and installed on outer wall. To stimulate the movement of water to the intake funnel, a decrease in a radius of half a meter is arranged around it.

Funnel design may vary. For example, two-level roofs are provided for inverted roofs, which collect and drain condensate from under the insulation layer and rainwater from the roof surface. Traditional flat roofs are equipped with single-level catchment devices, through which rainwater is redirected into the gutter system.

All types of water inlets must be equipped with mesh protection against volatile contaminants, leaves and dust. For trays, gutters and funnels, protective devices are produced in the form perforated panels, mesh baskets, etc. On operated flat roofs, a flat protection is installed flush with the surface; on non-operated ones, it rises above the roof.

The funnel for siphon-vacuum outlet “sucks in” water, therefore it is suitable even for roofs without a slope. It is designed in such a way that water without air enters the system.

In addition to the main funnel, several backup ones are installed, in case the main one becomes clogged and fails. All devices lead to the same pipeline. It has an internal location, that is, it is located under the roof, and a hermetic closed form, more often the form of a rectangular box. The gravitational channel is wider, the siphon-vacuum channel is narrow. The outlet is above or near the storage tank.

Metal tile - practical, relatively inexpensive and comfortable material for roofing works. Polymeric color coating, which performs protective and aesthetic functions, does not affect water quality

The shape of the roof also does not affect the composition of the water, but roofing material may cause poisoning or disease. As you know, asbestos is very dangerous, which is just a part of asbestos slabs and slate. Now these materials are rarely used for roofing, but if you decide to provide an old house with a drainage system, be on the lookout. Copper and lead are also dangerous and can be found in pipes, gutters or fasteners.

Safe roofing options:

Absolutely safe and modern PVC drainage systems, the most convenient for do-it-yourself installation.

Classification of water collectors and storage tanks

Precipitation does not fall regularly, so there are no devices without a "transshipment base" that directly connect the trays with the points of water intake. It is necessary to organize a large container for storing the collected water, which will allow it to be used only as needed.

An ordinary barrel became the prototype of all modern tanks. It can still be found in suburban areas, installed directly under the drainpipe. The efficiency of using the barrel is conditional, since it has a small volume and is not suitable for home water supply. In addition, overflow systems are not planned in its design, all excess spills over the edges and enters the ground.

The purpose of an ordinary metal or wooden barrel is to collect a small amount of rainwater with subsequent use for household purposes: for irrigation or cleaning

For water storage systems, volumetric tanks are made, which can be divided into two categories:

• ground, installed under drainage system against a wall (or inside a building);
• underground, buried in the ground near the house.

The material for all types is the same - it is polyethylene, less often concrete, fiberglass or steel. Synthetic rainwater storage tanks are in the lead, because they are not inferior in performance to analogues from other materials, at the same time they are much lighter, and therefore more convenient for transportation and installation. The volume of ground tanks is from 750 to 2000 liters, underground - from 2000 to 5000 liters.

Modern products are completely ready for connection - they have a large hatch in the upper part and a fitting with a tap in the lower part (for ground versions)

Large underground tanks are equipped with a surface or submersible pump to force the movement of water to draw points. The use of various equipment requires additional purification of the liquid. To do this, a filtration system is used: a coarse filter is installed at the inlet to the tank, the same is at the outlet.

Options for plastic tanks for collecting and storing rainwater:

If water is supplied to sinks for washing or washing dishes, fine filters with a mesh of no more than 5 microns are required, as well as coal multi-stage installations.

Is a conventional drainage system suitable?

Suppose your a private house equipped with a full-fledged stormwater system, including a set of gutters and trays, downpipes, sand traps and a sewer outlet to the septic tank. Is it possible to install a structure for the use of rainwater in a house without drastic changes? Of course, but you will have to supplement the circuit with storage capacity and related equipment.

To begin with, you will have to analyze the state of the accumulating plane, that is, the roof. You should check its integrity, cleanliness, and if necessary, change the roofing to a safer one. If the storm structure of pipes and trays is in order, a large factory-made polyethylene tank can be attached directly to it. Install a fitting at the bottom of the tank - for emergency draining.

In order not to disturb the design of the stormwater drain, the easiest way is to install a voluminous plastic barrel for irrigation, but it will not work for home maintenance.

If it becomes necessary to install a large underground tank, you will have to make adjustments to the old design - most likely, change the location of the sewer pipes. Pulling out the pit and installing pumping equipment, you will have to re-lay communications for drains.

We offer two options for arranging rainwater utilization systems - with a ground and underground reservoir.

Simple barrel system: step by step instructions

To assemble the easiest scheme, you will need a drain installation kit, a filter, a ready-made water tank, a short hose and mounting hardware.

The result of the work will be the simplest water collection system with sloping roof with a large plastic tank as storage tank

Plastic gutters, trays and pipes of the required size are purchased at a hardware store. If plastic does not suit, we use parts made of galvanized steel, home-made or factory-made.

We assemble the drainage system in the following order:

• using special brackets or hooks, we fix the gutter along the edge of the roof;
• on the corner, in a place convenient for installing the tank, we hang the downpipe;
• we connect the main elements with a receiving funnel;
• seal seams and joints.

When installing gutters, we make sure that there is a slight slope towards the pipe (2-3 cm per 1 m). The dimensions of pipes and gutters depend on the area of ​​the roof. For example, a diameter of 80 mm is sufficient for equipment of a slope of 25-30 m². When assembling the corner pipe to which the tank will be attached, do not forget to insert the filter. The same filter for retaining debris and sand can be equipped with a funnel.

Next, we need to remove a small fragment from the pipe, and in its place insert a compact collector that redirects water to the tank

We mark with a marker, determining the height of the drainage system at the level of the upper part of the tank.

We take a hacksaw for metal or plastic (depending on the pipe material) and carefully cut out a section that matches the size of the insert

We take out the sawn-off section and insert the collector in its place.

The collector is prefabricated, consists of two parts: the upper element is strung on the edge of the pipe located on top, the lower one - on the segment from below

We tightly twist the water inlet, then attach a hose to it. This is easy to do if you install the fitting in advance. Under the lid of the tank, we cut a hole of a suitable diameter, insert the second end of the hose into it.

If instead of plastic or steel connecting element attach a flexible elastic hose, the container can be moved or tilted

An important nuance: a well-prepared base will help excess water to freely go into the ground (or into a sewer receiver), and not spill along the house or flood the foundation. The site for installing the tank is covered with gravel, a stand is made of ceramic blocks or bricks on top.

Another installation instruction for the Aquacan water trap:

The assembly of factory models is good because all the necessary parts and even some of the tools come with the container.

Scheme of the device of the system with an underground reservoir

A large tank installed near the house will be able to satisfy the need for water by 50%. Thanks to special wiring, rainwater will flow to draw-off points that do not require High Quality liquids: to toilet cisterns, kitchen and water taps. But in this case, filters are installed.

The tank can be installed under the drainage system on the soil surface, in the basement or in a special pit dug near the house. We will choose the third option, in which the container will be completely immersed in the ground, therefore, it will not occupy a free area near the building and not spoil the beautiful landscape with its technological appearance.

Another advantage of a buried tank: chilled rainwater is not a suitable environment for bacteria to grow, therefore it will not “bloom”

We choose a container with a volume of 2.5-3.5 thousand liters, and, based on its dimensions, we are looking for a place for installation. In addition to the dimensions, when digging a pit, we must take into account the horizons of groundwater and the level of freezing. The depth of the pit should be approximately 70 cm more than the height of the tank, since 20 cm is a gravel-sand cushion, 50 cm is a layer of earth above the tank (which freezes in the middle lane and northern regions in winter).

• we take out the soil, take the excess to the side;
• we arrange a gravel-sand compacted pillow;
• we install a tank in the center of the pit;
• we fill it from all sides with a mixture of soil and sand;
• we install pumping equipment and pipes (drainage and leading to the house).

Of course, before connecting electrical equipment, it is necessary to establish a water supply system from the roof and make internal wiring. Installation of drains occurs in the traditional way, the pipe through the hatch supplies water to the tank. The pipeline from the reservoir leads to certain, pre-selected points. Inside the house, in the back room or in the basement, there is a place for installing a pump, filters, and control equipment.

Scheme of using the rainwater collection system: 1 - water level sensor; 2 - float device; 3 - filter; four - surface pump; 5 - reservoir with water; 6 - siphon; 7 - filter

After installation and connection, it is necessary to carry out a test run: pour water into the tank and turn on the pump. If everything is in order, the liquid will quickly flow to the draw-off points.

The container should not be empty, as ground movements can cause deformation of the hull. If the water runs out during a drought, it must be filled from the main source. In order not to measure the water level with the help of improvised means, you can draw a kind of scale on the inside of the wall with divisions in fractions or liters.

Rain water in the heating system

In some cases, rainwater is used instead of distilled liquid or antifreeze in private home heating systems. Natural characteristics - softness, absence of foreign inclusions and cleanliness - make it suitable for pouring into the heating network. To remove possible contaminants "caught" in the atmosphere, it is initially driven through a filter.

The option of installing a storage tank inside the house (in a boiler room, basement or utility room): a pump, filters, a pressure gauge and piping are located nearby

In addition to cleaning procedures, the enrichment of the liquid with special inhibitors and surfactants helps to reduce the tendency of water to form corrosion and plaque. Chemical compounds contribute to the dissolution of lime and other deposits.

Useful video on the topic

The instructional and informative videos will help you install the rainwater collection tank yourself.

How to make a rainwater harvesting system with an outdoor tank with your own hands:

Useful theoretical information:

Preparation of a plastic barrel for autonomous water supply:

The purity and natural softness of rainwater allows it to be used for domestic purposes, watering, and sometimes - for filling heating system. Thanks to a large storage tank and a pump, you can always use a backup source of water that is relevant during the emptying of the well.

sovet-ingenera.com

Rainwater harvesting: Fashion trend or "well-forgotten old"

Somewhere the collection of rainwater from the roof is a tribute to environmental trends, somewhere - pressing need. Imagine that there is no river or your own well in the country, and water for irrigation in the garden partnership is given “by the hour” (tomatoes will have time to burn out, and cucumbers will become bitter). Yes, even if there are no problems with the water supply in your area, rain still has its advantages. We figure out where to store, how you can use the "reserves" of rainwater in the country. And have the ways of harvesting rainwater changed over the centuries?

In terms of fresh water reserves, our country occupies a leading position in the world. In most of its territory, the problem of the availability of drinking water and even agricultural water does not exist. However, a barrel for collecting rainwater under the overhang of the roof of a private house is just as indispensable, an attribute of country life familiar from childhood, like a barbecue or a hammock.

Why collect and how to use rainwater at home

Rainwater is an accessible resource, and practically no effort is needed to obtain it: neither one's own strength - water does not need to be lifted from a well or carried from a reservoir - nor electricity to extract it from a well or transfer it through pipes. All that is needed is to provide conditions for collection and storage. The possibilities of using rainwater in the country are very wide. If we analyze the daily consumption of water, then even in urban conditions only a small part of it is used for drinking. Outside the city, taking into account agricultural and technical needs, the need for water is much higher. And a significant part of them can be covered by rain collection.

When people talk about rainwater, they usually mention its softness. However, this indicator, along with purity, is very dependent on the ecological situation of the region and the conditions of collection, including materials with which water comes into contact both during runoff and during storage. The degree of purity determines the use of rainwater in a country house. It is conditionally possible to name three practically applicable directions of its use.

For garden needs, water was traditionally collected: both during the heyday of the dacha economy, and long before that. For irrigation, water from a barrel is ideal - it has warmed up enough, which means that it can be used to nourish crops that do not tolerate cooling roots. Water directly from the well is not suitable for them.

In conditions of unstable rainfall distribution, harvesting rainwater for irrigation also allows you to create a reserve for dry periods to minimize the use of water from other sources for irrigation. In this case, it is necessary to provide additional water tanks that will at least partially cover the need for water for irrigation.

There are no particularly strict requirements for the purity of water for irrigation, which means there is no need for a complex filter system and strict control (unless you use sprinkler systems - filtration is indispensable here). For this reason, the use of rainwater for irrigation is, of course, the most common use. But not the only one.

READ ALSO…

How to drink to give: We are planning an irrigation system for the site

Slightly higher requirements are placed on water for technical use. The main thing is that it be cleaned of debris and coarse impurities. Such water can be used to wash paths and platforms, facades, floors in the house, cars and other equipment. And also for flushing the toilet.

The closer to a person, the more thorough the cleaning should be. With its proper level, rainwater can be used for washing - if it retains its softness, it will additionally help save detergents. Also, clean rainwater can be used for washing in the bath and for garden showers. This is also a traditional way of using it: the most common and simplest version of a country shower is a barrel on supports.

READ ALSO…

With light steam along the way: On a journey with your own sauna
Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Is it possible to use rainwater for drinking? In its pure form, it is impossible to use collected rainwater for food purposes. Without additional verification and a comprehensive cleaning system, it is impossible to be sure of its safety. Drinking water must undergo multi-stage filtration, including biological treatment. Serious requirements are also imposed on the conditions of its storage. The rainwater collection system in the house is much more complex than the devices that we usually use on the site. Of course, in regions with a shortage of drinking water, this is justified. Such systems and "survivors" are discussed in detail. In a number of places, the use of rainwater for drinking is a forced and necessary measure. But if there is a more reliable and proven method of obtaining drinking water - a well, a well, a central water supply system, even imported packaged water - it is still safer to use them. For dishwashing and personal hygiene, it is also worth using a proven drinking water.

How to collect rainwater The easiest and most common way to collect water in the country with your own hands is from the roof. Its slopes provide an extensive collecting surface. To ensure good drainage of rainwater from the roof, it must have a slope of at least 10 degrees. However, for our country pitched roofs- the most common type, so the question of how best to collect rainwater does not arise. flat roofs in private construction, it is still a rarity for us, but they also provide the slope necessary for water flow.

READ ALSO…

What is snow to me, what is heat to me: How to choose a roof for a recreation area in the country Site Lines Architecture Inc. The material from which the roof is made is important. But if you do not collect drinking water, but plan to use it only for irrigation and technical needs, then it will not be as decisive as it is usually presented. Domestic water requirements are already higher. Of course, the roof from which water is collected should not contain poisonous and toxic substances. But this is true in any case, because the runoff, even if you do not collect it on purpose, still ends up in the soil. The most environmentally friendly, of course, will be roofs made of ceramic tiles. But do not forget that in modern conditions we often cover it with various protective compounds chemical origin.

READ ALSO…

Roof garden: How to choose the right plants From the roof, water is collected in a gutter and is already discharged from it down through drainpipes or other devices. In principle, both the gutter and the pipes are parts of the most common drainage system that allows you to "concentrate" the drain from the roof of rainwater, to carry it out locally, regardless of whether you collect water for further use, or divert it further. In order for the runoff to be carried out efficiently, the gutter is also placed with a slope to the discharge points - the same 10 degrees.

The diameter of the gutter is chosen, focusing on the level of precipitation in the region, but not on their average rate, but with a margin. Also, its size and placement will depend on the angle of the roof slope - make sure that the water will fall into the gutter, and not overflow through it. This is a common mistake.

To protect the gutter and water from large debris and leaves, you can close it on top with a net. This will prevent bottlenecks from clogging the drain. And it will be much easier to clean the gutter itself.

Drainpipes are located at least 10 meters apart. Or on the corners of a building. Usually in the upper part they are provided with a bell. The diameter of the pipe is chosen depending on the volume of the drain - from 8 to 30 cm. The pipes are fixed at a small distance from the wall - as a rule, it is 5-7 cm. Protrusions and cornices are bypassed with bends and knees.

Chains can be used instead of fixed, fixed downspouts to reduce free-flow splashes. different kind: traditional, from links fastened together, or from sequentially strung caps.

The materials from which the gutter and pipes are made must be resistant to atmospheric factors and water. The same requirements apply to their environmental friendliness as to the material of the roof.

Top Tier Seamless Gutters

When it is important to ensure higher purity - when collecting water for domestic needs and, moreover, for drinking (with mandatory further purification), the collection system is complicated. A valve is installed in the gutters or pipes to discharge the primary runoff - a certain volume of water, which, after the onset of rain, washes the roof and carries away the main pollution from it. When using water for irrigation and technical needs, there is no need for such a complication.

Where to collectWhere does the water go after the downpipe? Depending on the required level of purification - into a storage tank, or into an intermediate filtration tank. As such a reservoir, both barrels familiar to everyone and tanks of a different shape are used. Their volume can be from 50-200 liters to several tons.

Ideally, no matter what you plan to use the water for in the future, use food-grade containers. They are the most inert, and since, unlike intermediate ways of water movement, during storage it contacts the surface for a long period, the environmental friendliness of materials is much more important here. Perfect solution- a barrel for rain water from opaque food plastic. Often they also use stainless, enameled and painted metal with special dyes.

The color of the tank is also important - in a black tank, water heats up faster, and reflective surfaces will protect it from overheating. The benefits of one quality or another depend on how you intend to use the water. Heating is needed to organize an outdoor shower. Irrigation requires a slight warming of the water, but not too high its temperature. For long-term storage cool conditions are preferred. Prolonged heating to high temperatures is detrimental to many types of bacteria, but the sun middle lane such conditions are unlikely to be provided.

A.GRUPPO Architects - San Marcos It's good if there is more than one tank - they are needed at least under each drain point. It is also convenient to divide them according to the function of using rainwater in the house. So that garbage does not get into the barrel, it is equipped with a lid into which the end of the downpipe is cut. Or they cover it with a net - it will be possible to collect water in such a container in the absence of a drain. These measures will also ensure the safety of children and animals.

READ ALSO…

Good question: How to make a pool safe for a child
Where to place Where to install a barrel for collecting and storing water is not so much a matter of decor as of functionality. Its placement will determine how the water will be stored and how it can be used. And also how it will be submitted for further use.

READ ALSO…

Master's business: How to make the site more convenient without losing decorativeness The most obvious placement is in places of intense flow: near the house and buildings under drainpipes. However, rainwater will also be collected in a free-standing container, albeit less efficiently without a large runoff surface. The tank in this case should have a wide open mouth. It can be equipped with a funnel-shaped end to increase the area for collecting water for irrigation and other needs. You should also not forget about the grid and the removable cover. Regardless of whether you place the tank near the house or install it separately, it is convenient to place it on a dais. Already when the barrel is installed at a height of 0.5-1 meter, water for many functions can be obtained without using a pump.
Gravity can be organized drip irrigation vegetable garden by installing automatic or mechanical water supply valves. Also, without the use of additional equipment, you can rinse the tool, dirty shoes or collect a bucket of water.

READ ALSO…

Good question: Why does the house need a porch? By installing the tank even higher, you will get the simplest gravity-fed country shower with natural heating of the water by the sun. The main thing here is to ensure the reliability of the supports and the frame. And also monitor the balance of water heating - the sun can bring it to burning temperatures. Here, on the contrary, protection from sunlight is provided. Drainage from the roof of rainwater is easy to organize, as well as to maintain the system. But to supply water, you will have to use a pump.