Rainwater Harvesting: Advantages And Methods  

Our natural resources are rapidly depleting, and the percentage of the population dependent on them is ever-increasing. People cannot access potable water due to scarcity and contamination. The government and non-governmental organisations are taking the initiative to protect our water bodies from depletion and prevent contamination. However, given the magnitude of damage, revival can take years.  

We should opt for sustainable practices, such as adopting rainwater harvesting methods in our homes and offices. Rainwater can be a reliable source of water if harvested the right way. Rainwater harvesting means collecting and storing water for later use. Here are the benefits of rainwater harvesting and its different methods: 

Benefits 

Every year, we experience heavy rainfall. The rainwater runs through our house rooftops and ground surfaces. Saving this significant volume of rainwater ensures you never face water scarcity. Furthermore, it reduces your dependency on conventional water sources, preventing your water bodies from drying in the years to come. It also helps save on your water bill.  

Rainwater harvesting methods can replenish groundwater levels. This way, your plants and trees get the necessary water content for their growth. Water logging and floods are common problems every state experiences. This is because the rainwater is not channelled in the right way. Adopting rainwater harvesting solves these problems as well.  

Different rainwater harvesting methods 

There are several rainwater harvesting methods. You need to set up to fully implement any rainwater harvesting method at your home or office. Hence, it is ideal you create the set-up at the time of construction: 

Rooftop rainwater harvesting  

This is the simplest yet effective method to adopt at home. It involves collecting and storing rainwater that typically goes through your house rooftop. It includes three primary elements: a catchment, a transportation system, and a storage facility. The catchment is the surface that receives the rainwater. In this case, your house roof acts like a catchment. Make sure the catchment is durable and clean to allow proper rainwater harvesting.  

The rainwater passes from the catchment to the storage facility through an appropriate transportation channel. This channel comprises gutters, conduits, mesh filters, and first flush devices. Once the rainwater passes through the transportation channel, it enters a storage facility, where it is filtered and stored for future use.  

Surface run-off rainwater harvesting  

Surface run-off is the most popular rainwater harvesting method. It requires the creation of permeable surfaces and percolation pits. They allow rainwater to infiltrate into the ground, replenishing groundwater levels. This minimises rainwater runoff and waterlogging. Permeable surfaces are made of permeable pavers, gravel, and even grass.  

On the other hand, percolation pits are filled with porous material like broken bricks and pebbles. You can opt for this rainwater harvesting method in your residential complex or office garden and can benefit from it.