Rainwater Collection from Your Roof: Storing and Purifying for Self-Sufficient Living
Rainwater collection from your roof is a simple and effective way to conserve water, reduce your household’s water bill, and become more self-sufficient. With proper storage and purification methods, rainwater can be used for a variety of purposes, including gardening, cleaning, and even drinking.
Determining the size of your roof and the amount of rainwater it can collect is the first step in setting up a successful rainwater collection system. This information is crucial in determining the size of the storage containers you’ll need. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Measure your roof: To determine the size of your roof, measure the length and width of the area that will be collecting rainwater. If your roof is sloped, measure the length and width of the area at its widest point. Multiply these two numbers to get the total square footage of your roof.
- Calculate the amount of rainwater: The amount of rainwater your roof can collect is determined by the size of your roof and the amount of rainfall in your area. You can use the following formula to calculate the amount of rainwater your roof can collect:
(Roof size in square feet) x (rainfall in inches) x 0.623 = Gallons of rainwater
For example, if your roof is 1,000 square feet and you receive an average of 30 inches of rainfall per year, you can collect approximately 186.9 gallons of rainwater per year.
- Determine the size of your storage containers: Based on the amount of rainwater your roof can collect, you can determine the size of your storage containers. A general rule of thumb is to have one 55-gallon barrel for every 100 square feet of roof. So, in the example above, you would need approximately 3-4 55-gallon barrels to store the 186.9 gallons of rainwater.
It’s important to choose containers made of food-grade plastic or other non-toxic materials to ensure that the collected rainwater is safe for use. This is particularly important if you plan to use the rainwater for drinking or cooking. Look for containers that are BPA-free and made from materials that won’t leach harmful chemicals into the water. This information will help you choose the right size storage containers and ensure that the collected rainwater is safe for use.
Once you have your storage containers set up, it’s important to properly direct and filter the rainwater as it flows into the containers. Installing gutter guards and a downspout filter will help to keep debris and pollutants from entering the storage containers.
Purifying collected rainwater is an important step in ensuring that it is safe for use. While rainwater is generally considered safe, it can contain pollutants such as bird droppings, air pollution, and chemicals from roofing materials that can pose a health risk if consumed. Here are a few methods for purifying collected rainwater:
- Boiling: Boiling is a simple and effective method for purifying rainwater. Simply bring the collected rainwater to a rolling boil for at least one minute, then let it cool before use. This method is effective in killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
- Filtering: Filtering is another effective method for purifying rainwater. You can use a simple filter, such as a ceramic or activated carbon filter, to remove particles and impurities. For drinking water, it’s recommended to use a filter with a pore size of 0.2 microns or smaller to remove harmful pathogens.
- UV purification: UV purification is a chemical-free method for purifying rainwater. This method uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. UV purifiers are available in various sizes, making them suitable for both residential and commercial use.
It’s important to purify collected rainwater before use, especially if you plan to use it for drinking or cooking. By purifying collected rainwater, you can ensure that it is safe and free from harmful pollutants.
Rainwater collection from your roof is a simple and cost-effective way to become more self-sufficient and conserve resources. Whether you use it for gardening, cleaning, or drinking, collecting and purifying rainwater is a great step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. With proper planning and maintenance, you can enjoy the benefits of using rainwater for years to come.