brief note on utility of rainwater harvesting
Answers
Answer:
Rainwater can be collected from most roof types, depending on the quality of rainwater required.
For garden or lawn irrigation:
collect from any roof material except unsealed asbestos
ensure all gutters fall towards the outlets
preferably fit an effective leaf screen to the gutters
use gutter outlets that fit to the underside of the gutter.
For all other uses, also:
prevent vegetation from overhanging the roof
clean the roof and gutters before installing the system
fit a good quality leaf screen to gutters or use a leaf-shedding gutter.
For drinking water, also avoid collecting rainwater:
from sections of roof containing lead flashing or asbestos sheeting, and from roofs painted with pre-1980 paint — if they cannot be avoided, seal properly by preparing the surface and painting with a suitable potable-quality roof sealant, and do not collect rainwater from the first few rainfall events after sealing
in areas where airborne toxins are present from nearby activities such as crop-dusting and chemical processing.
It is important to note that if your rainwater is to be used for human consumption, the system must be designed, operated and maintained to ensure the water quality is suitable.