Low Cost Rainwater Harvesting for

Home
We can harvest rain water by using different methods
Storing rainwater in to storage tank or recharge our natural water resources. Recharging
our natural water resources is more important, which will increase the shallow water
level then it will increases the wet character of the soil.
Normally in monsoon we are getting enough rain water in that a small
quantity will be absorbed by soil and the rest may be flow away. If we can increase the
absorbing capacity of the soil in to hundred percentage, that will be the best rainwater
harvesting method.

Here I am going to introduce one low cost method which will be suitable for normal
houses
1. Aluminum sheet or tin sheet roofed Houses.
2. Tile roofed Houses.
3. Concrete Roofed Houses.
I am not recommending Asbestos roofed houses because asbestos itself is a
carcinogenic substance, so the experts have to tell about this subject.
In the above list one and two semicircular pipes are available in
the market. While using this, two things should keep in mind.
1. Select the proper sized pipe; it depends on the expected water flow.
2. Do not use MS supports for the pipes. Because ms will corroded easily.
For concrete roofed houses the correct size PVC pipes (it depends on the area) for
example below 1000 square feet two inch pipe can be used, above1000 below
1800 square feet 3inch can be used. Above 1800 and below 2500 square feet 4
inch can be used. It is not mandatory to use the above mentioned pipe size if the
pipe size is smaller it will hold water more time on the roof.
How to prepare filters
We can prepare stainless steel filters that material available in the local market, first one
is the strong one (its looks like stainless steel plate small hole made on it) take the
measurement by using thread and add one and half inch extra, fold the mesh
cylindrically to the same size of the main pipe which connected to the semicircular

pipe/or concrete. Remember the cylindrically folded mesh should be tightly packed in
the pipe; if possible argon welding/ gas weld the joints continuously (not gap welding).
In the top side we can use MT-FT fitting for the removal of filter
separately in between the MT-FT fitting and pipe use one more reducer (second
Reducer-if the pipe is 2 use 3 -2 reducer/the pipe is 3 use 4 -3 reducer) that will
hold the fine mesh if we want to insert the reducer on the pipe (face down) remove the
stopper from the reducer by using knife.

Reducer 3

MT-FT arrangement

Reducer 2

Main filter/metal plate

filter

Fine mesh - fixed inside

the pipe

Fine filter or second filter

Above paragraph we discussed about second reducer. Take the
measurement of the second reducer, stainless steel mesh is available in the market (this
mesh will be very minute holes if we placed any object behind this mesh we cant see
anything)
Fold the mesh cylindrically joint the overlapped area by using
strong epoxy (remember some of the epoxies may damage gradually or will not hold
pressure) .if possible use a pipe with holes to protect the mesh (insert the mesh inside
the pipe and joint both end of the mesh with epoxies, so that it will not allow the mesh to
move.
Do not use solvent cement to joint reducer
3 on the pipe line
Reducer 2

Fine mesh/second mesh which installed

in pipe sleeve

Third reducer
Third reducer can be used above the MT-FT fitting (remember do not fix with
solvent cement) which will hold the water collector pipe(if the main pipe is 2- second
reducer will be 3
-third reducer will be 4.if the main pipe is 3 second reducer is
4- third reducer will be 6 and so on.

Bottom of the filter

Bottom of this filter can be considered as a separate unit. For the metal plate filter we
have to give one stopper in the main pipe line (we can be used piece of main pipe which
can cut and reduce the diameter then place the first filter properly then take the
measurement then fix it with solvent cement this will stop the first filter to going down.

Make a hole or 1/2 on the 4th reducer and 1st one by using hot metal pipe then fix
a or 1/2 valve on that pipe if slightly open -dusty particle in between the first and
second filter will drain out continuously. Make another hole on the 4 th reducer by using
hot G.I pipe 2 or3 can be used depends on the reducer fix it properly with M-seal or
something, ones the arrangement properly completed fix the 1 and 4 reducer with
solvent cement fill the gap with cement. While filling the gap always give slop for the
drainage, so that will allow the water or dust particle drain fully.
Stopper placed and joint with
pipe, using M-seal and solvent
cement

Reducer1
Reducer4

Water outlet pipe jointed with M-seal

Cemented In between the pipe with

slope
Pipe inserted & filled with M-seal for
removing
Dusty particle between pipe and

Main Drain
Allow the main pipe to extend up to ground (400mm gap) fix a good quality elbow on
that with drainage opening provision after the raining open it and remove water and
dusty particle such as leaves etc.
Filter water outlet
Filtered water can be collected in to a drum, that can be fix near the filter, here we can
use charcoal and sand for removing any kind of odors or colour.

Filtered water out

Let

Dust removal valve-Partially

open

Main draining point (Elbow

with cap)

Common things about the filter

1, after every raining season remove the filter and cleaned
2, do not collect the water first 2 or 3 raining directly in to the well
3, if possible make an another small pit 5 to7 meter gap near the main well, and make two
valve arrangement (one will close main line and another will open the drain) to collect first
rainwater.

4, The main advantage of this is filture, it can be dismantle as single parts. So do not use
solvent cement On both side of REDUCER-3 and bigger side of REDUCER-1,2 and4.

Thank you for reading this article. Any quiry please contact me on
my GSM-0091-8137011375