Model 3005 -Industrial Water Collection System

Under-slab piping can be reduced or eliminated when utilizing siphonic roof drainage systems.  Installation costs can be reduced by 30 to 40% due to the smaller pipe diameter and elimination or reduction in excavation, backfill, and trenching costs.  Rooftop runoff is diverted to an on-site storage tank or pond.  Tanks range in size depending on the connected roof size, like shown, can siphon between multiple tanks.   Harvested rooftop rainwater can be used indoors to flush toilets, clean floors, wash linens or as irrigation.  As in the commercial setting, the soft rainwater is beneficial for cleaning purposes as less detergent is needed not only saving money but reducing the amount of detergent released into the environment.

Creating national and international rainwater harvesting system standards can assist in developing low maintenance, safe, and sustainable systems with minimum ecological disturbance.  International businesses have made strides in recent years in producing high quality, sustainable rainwater harvesting components, which have influenced the market’s expansion.  However, the promise for economic gains fueled inferior companies to produce non-sustainable and mediocre products.

What has spurred this shift back to the seemingly elementary process of collecting rainwater?  Perhaps it is the rise in environmental awareness and the public’s desire to protect current resources; perhaps it is the increasing drought occurrences; perhaps it is the movement to conserve and promote sustainability; perhaps it is the desire to reduce stormwater runoff; perhaps it is to save money by utilizing this free source of water; or perhaps it is a combination of many of these factors.  Whatever the reason, rainwater harvesting is indeed gaining popularity and can offer a sustainable alternative potable and non-potable water source.

Overview

Today, rainwater harvesting is gaining popularity again for a variety of environmental and economic reasons. Obviously, technology and techniques have changed considerably from the days of the early Romans, but the theory remains the same.