Harvesting Rainwater

 

Harvesting rainwater has been around since the beginning of time. As a means of survival early civilizations used ancient techniques to collect rainwater for drinking, cooking and bathing.

 

With the introduction of pure water cleaning over the last decade many window cleaning companies are investing in systems. One of the long term expenses of operating a pure water cleaning system is filter replacements. Some of the RO/DI systems can cost hundreds of dollars to replace all of the filters.

 

One of the best ways to extend the life of your RO and DI filters is to harvest rainwater. Rainwater has little to no total dissolved solids. Many eco-friendly people are now harvesting rainwater from their roofs to water lawns and gardens. A simple Google search will give you websites that sell kits to convert your gutter downspouts into a funnel that will catch hundreds of gallons of rainwater in one downpour or all night rain storm.

 

This is how I designed my rainwater harvesting machine. I went online and found a website that showed me how to cut a U shape into the rain downspout, using the downspout that is least noticeable. I then pressed the aluminum back which stopped the flow of water down and redirected it out. I placed a funnel to catch the water and a tube to lead it into a three hundred gallon IBC tank that I purchased from a local chemical company. IBC tanks are easy to find and very inexpensive to purchase. You can also buy very nice rain barrels from local co-ops or natural food stores. These are much more pleasing to the eye. Most will hold fifty to a hundred gallons of rainwater.

 

 

By John Lee

John Lee Window Cleaning

Friendsville, Tennessee

 

 

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