...introduction to rainwater harvesting ...

water-supplies under stress ...

Pressures on water supplies and the need to man- mains water supplies.
age surface water run-off are placing twin pres-
Conversely, and just as important, Planning Regu-
sures on designers and developers to address wa-
lations have required for some time that on most
ter-related issues from the outset of any new pro-
sites the surface-water run-off must be attenu-
ject.
ated, or in some other way controlled, to restrict
run-off to the pre-development level, or at some
With the average rainfall per head in the south of
other specified rate.
England less than around the Mediterranean, and
the population continuing to grow, water supplies
in all the English regions south of the Humber are
cast-qfictive & holistie soluaion ...
already stressed, in most cases at a critical level. Rainwater harvesting is internationally recog-
nised cost-effective solution to both water-supply
meeting building codes ... and site water management issues, able to pro-
vide a fully integrated and flexible response to
This is reflected in the Code for Sustainable
site specific requirements, including providing
Homes, and commercial equivalents such
certainty of supply for emergency uses such as
BREEAM assessments which require that all new
fire-fighting.
buildings are designed to reduce the demand on
 ...basic principks ,,.
the harvesting process ...
The basic principle of rainwater harvesting is sim- from the drain pipes to a storage tank, via a filter.
ply to capture non-potable rainwater (non-
drinking standard) at the point of fall, then substi- The storage tank can be above ground^ but for
tute it for mains water for applications such as: the best water quality underground storage is to
Toilet flushing be preferred. Once stored, a suitable control sys-

Clothes washing machines tem is then used to supply the water to the de-

Garden irrigation sired services using a durable electric pump.

Car and fleet washing

Forecourt and plaza wash-down
water available ...
Conversely, untreated rainwater is not suitable
The amount of water available for collection de-
for use where drinking quality water is required,
pends upon local average rainfall, roof size ,
such bathing, showering and dish washing.
drainage efficiency, and the efficiency of the filter
being used.
how it works ...
Multiplying the roof area in metres, by average
The harvesting process is very straightforward, rainfall in millimetres, and by the roof and filter
involving no more than channelling the water efficiency factors gives annual yield in litres.
 ...for the home and the workphce ...
sizing the system ...
The amount of non-potable water likely to be a household's non-potable water requirements;
used depends upon factors such as the occupancy this in turn amounts to around half of total water
of the building, be it a home or the workplace, consumption which means that mains water con -
the purposes for which the water will be used, sumption is reduced by around 50%.
and the efficiency of the appliances (such as toi-
lets and clothes washing being fed. In the workplace, or at leisure facilities, the bal-
ance of the water being used often switches to -
Because rainfall does not fall every day, the stor- wards nOn-~Otable such as toilet
age tank must be correctly sized to reflect two flushing, grounds irrigation or fleet washing which
competing factors, namely ,quality of water and means the potential to reduce the consumption
continuity of supply. In practice this results in a Of mains water isgreater.
tank that provides around 18-20 days demand
without any fresh rainfall This potential can be realised if the building also
has a good capacity to collect rainwater (ie a large
mains water savings ... roof), with mains water savings of more than 80%
being easily realised in any building that combines
The operational performance of properly de- a large roof with a high demand for non-potable
signed systems is sufficient to provide nearly all of
 ...rainwater harvesting
is the answer ..,
I
...keeping it ckan & safe ...
I water quality ... additional purification ...
The quality of harvested rainwater depends upon Where a specific requirement exists, for example
good design, high quality components and good where a building cannot access the national water
installation. Water quality can therefore be com- grid, harvested rainwater can be brought up to
promised if any of these are absent. potable (drinking) water standard by inclusion in
the system of additional purification devices.
Water falling from the sky is usually clean, and
only becomes compromised when i t reaches the Generally, however, this is neither a necessary or
ground. Provided, however, it is then harvested recommended practice due to the added costs
in accordance with UK-RHA recommendations incurred.
and the relevant British Standard (BS 8515) it re-
mains safe to use for non-potable purposes. code of practice ...
?commendeduse ... For additional peace of mind, all UK-RHA mem-
bers operate to a strict Code of Practice designed
I The recommended usage of harvested rainwater
to ensure that users' requirements predominate;
in the UK is therefore restricted to toilet flushing,
system conformity with the national standard for
clothes washing machines and outside use as
rainwater harvesting (858515) is also required.
listed earlier.
 ... the best system for you ...
range of options ... full domestic systems ...
: Rainwater harvesting systems come in many Full domestic systems are best installed whilst a
guises, the most basic being a simple water butt property is being built or refurbished, as separate
which offers a very limited supply of water of in- pipework is required to the non-potable services
different quality. to be supplied

ardening systems ... Domestic systems also incorporate mains water

top-up facilities to ensure continuity of supply
For keen gardeners, undergound systems offer during prolonged dryspells.
the twin advantages of providing a water supply
,..
capable of lasting through a long hot summer, c o m m e ~ c i a / - s c ~ / e ~ ~ m s
whilst minimising the aesthetic impact of a large
above ground tank. Commercial systems are also best installed at the
new-build stage, although they can often be
Such systems are straightforward to install to any retro-fitted if the sewice runs/ducts are readily
existing building and, provided they are not accessible. A wide range of tanks sizes are avail-
topped-UP from the mains, are not subject to able to match the high harvesting potential of
hosepipe bans or other water restrictions many commercial buildings.
 ?; > 'c-,-Flp: ,
b , 8
is the answer ...
.. ,
\'
5u&&.i*
? . I

... the keys to getting it right ...

reliable & expert suppliers ... best practice ...
All UK-RHA members are experts in their field, be Best practice is to collect rainwater from hard
St as component suppliers, or as designers, manu- roof areas, and filter it before storing under-
facturers and suppliers of full systems. ground. Water from other hard-standing areas
such as car parks can also be introduced into the
Involve them from the out- system subject to suitable
set of your project for filtration to remove hydro-
peace of mind and the carbons and other impuri-
most cost-effective solution ties before storing.

skilled installers ... And legal ...

Systems should always be
installed strictly in accor-
dance with the manufacturer's instructions, by
tradesmen who are accredited for the installation
of rainwater harvesting systems.
Systems must:
Meet Water Regula-
. tions
Be separated from any mains back-up by
type AA or type AB air gaps
Have pipes and taps properly marked
Have lockable lids on underground tanks.