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As businesses look for sustainable ways to operate, winter weather offers the ideal conditions to install a rainwater harvesting system. With a well-designed rain capture system, your business can tap into free non-potable water, reducing dependence on your water supply and lowering monthly costs. Here’s how to set up a rain harvesting system to maximise water efficiency and make a positive environmental impact.
Rainwater harvesting and its benefits
Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for non-potable uses like landscaping, toilet flushing, and some cooling systems. It can be particularly useful for businesses such as car washes, office buildings with a large volume of employees requiring bathroom facilities and laundrettes. Many businesses can save thousands of litres of potable water each year by capturing and reusing rainwater. The benefits include:
- Saving money on your monthly water bills by reducing your need for supplied water for tasks that don’t require potable water.
- Reducing your businesses carbon footprint by adopting more sustainable methods and using less treated water.
- Contributing to a reduction of water runoff, helping protect local waterways from pollution.
The potential for rainwater harvesting at your business premises
Before setting up a rainwater harvesting system, you will need to consider:
- Rain volume for your area: Check average monthly rainfall to estimate how much water you could potentially capture.
- Roof size and material: Metal and tile roofs are ideal for capturing rainwater, while asphalt shingles may need extra filtration.
- Storage needs: Consider how much water your business uses for non-potable purposes and plan storage accordingly. Choose tanks based on storage needs and available space. Options include:
- Above-ground Tanks: Easy to install and access but may need to be insulated in colder climates.
- Underground tanks: Better protected from temperature fluctuations and UV rays but require excavation and higher installation costs.
- Gutters and downspouts: Make sure your roof’s gutters are in good condition and sloped to guide water toward downspouts for collection.
- Filters and diverters: Filters remove debris, while first-flush diverters help remove initial contaminants from rooftops. This makes the water cleaner and more suitable for various uses.
- Pumps: To distribute stored water to different parts of the facility, pumps are essential, especially for systems that deliver water to landscaping or indoor uses.
Plan for water treatment as needed
For non-potable applications, simple filtration is often enough, but water used for indoor uses ,like toilet flushing might need additional treatment to meet regulatory standards. Options for treatment include:
- Sediment filters: Basic filters that remove dirt and debris.
- UV filters: Ultra-violet systems can sterilise water, killing bacteria and viruses.
- Carbon filters: These can remove chlorine and improve water quality, which might be important for indoor non-potable uses.
Install your rain capture system
Once you’ve considered all of the above, it’s important to use a certified and experienced installer or contractor – preferably one that has worked with businesses in similar industries to yours. This will ensure a professional set up that will comply with modern safety standards as well as local guidance for plumbing systems and water quality.
Ensure regular maintenance
Once your system is operational, regular maintenance will keep it running efficiently. Ensure that you are regularly cleaning your gutters and filtration systems to prevent clogging and have your storage tanks inspected regularly to check for leaks and sediment build up.
Save money and make positive contributions this winter
Make sure you’re seeing the benefits of your rainwater harvesting system by tracking your water usage and costs over time. Castle Water customers can track their monthly water usage and running costs in one place through the online customer portal.
A rainwater harvesting system can be the first step in a broader water efficiency plan. Explore other areas for improvement, such as installing other water saving devices or carrying out a water efficiency audit on your business.
