ul liRainwater Harvesting in a Drought Dan Behringer Phyllis Muska Texas Master Naturalist Hill Country Chapter October 26 2011li liWhy rainwater ul liConserve water resources to help preserve water levels in the aquiferli ul ul liSuperior water quality softer water means less detergent no limecalcium buildup on shower walls and appliancesli ul ul liPlants and landscape prefer rainwaterli ul ul liMay be more dependable than a wellli ul ul liSave money if using city water 30-50% of total water used by a typical home is for landscape wateringli ul ul liReduces volume of storm water during heavy rain eventsli ul ul liMay lessen erosion from runoffli ul ul liNo chemicals or additives necessaryli ul ul liIt tastes good!li ul li liWhat are the components of a Rainwater Harvesting system ul liCollectionli ul ul liConveyanceli ul ul liStorageli ul ul liTreatmentli ul li liSystem Components ul liCollection Catchment surface: the collection surface from which rainfall runs offli ul ul liConveyance from catchment surface Gutters downspouts and pipe channel water from the roof to the tankli ul ul liStorage One or more tanksli ul ul liConveyance to point of use Delivery system gravity-fed or pumped to end useli ul ul liTreatmentpurificationli ul ul li ul liInitial filtration Leaf screens first wash diverters and roof washers remove debris and dust from the captured rainwater before it goes to the tankli ul li ul ul li ul liFor potable systems filters UV lights and other methods make the water safe to drinkli ul li ul li liSystem Schematicli liCatchment Surface #1 ul liPhase 1 550 sq ft garage 1996li ul li liCatchment Surface #2 ul liPhase 2 2000 sq ft house - 2001li ul li liCatchment Surface #3 ul liPhase 3 2003li ul ul li2400 sq ft barnli ul li liGutters and Downspoutsli liGutters and Downspoutsli liFiberglass Tanks with Food-Grade Liner ul liPhase 1: 5000 galli ul ul liPhase 2: 10000 galli ul ul liPhase 3: 10000 galli ul ul liTanks must be same height!li ul li liPolyethylene...