Is Your Rain Tank Fitted with the Right Rainwater Harvesting Tank Accessories?
Rainwater harvesting has become increasingly popular, and that’s for valid reasons. Collecting rainwater is an environmentally friendly and relatively simple water acquisition solution. It is beneficial to the environment as it promotes water conservation, groundwater recharge, prevents soil erosion, and reduces stormwater runoff and pollution. It also lowers water bills and promotes self-sufficiency by reducing reliance on municipal water.
But, do you have the right rainwater harvesting tank accessories to make the collection process more efficient? Let’s find out.
Understanding the Essentials of Rainwater Collection
Harvesting rain has some technicalities, and it is crucial to understand the core elements involved.
Core Components of a Rainwater Harvesting System
There are mainly four components of a rainwater catchment system, namely:
- Catchment Area: The roofing and gutters are vital elements of the collection process, as they help trap water during a downpour.
- Filtration and Pre-Filtration: The roof is prone to debris and dirt that is usually carried along with rainwater, and leaf eaters or strainer baskets help keep them from entering your stored water.
- Storage Tank & Parts: Rainwater harvesting tanks store the collected water. They are available in various materials and gallon capacities. Rain harvesting accessories enhance the functionality of your system.
- Distribution: Pumps and piping networks distribute filtered or purified rainwater in various channels based on usage.
Why Accessories Matter for Optimal Performance
When collecting rainwater, two primary things stand out:
- The quality of the collected water; and,
- How much water can you harvest, to begin with?
These accessories are vital in rainwater harvesting systems because they help enhance water quality, maximize water yield, ensure system longevity, and simplify maintenance.
What accessories for water storage tanks should you consider for optimum rain collection?
Essential Rainwater System Accessories
Here’s a breakdown of the accessories needed in each rainwater harvesting stage:
Filtration Accessories
Filtration accessories sieve and trap any dirt or debris to keep your collected water clean and prevent contaminants from entering your storage tanks. They include:
Leaf Traps and Gutter Guards
These are devices placed just above your gutters or at the bottom of the downspout, just above the ground pipe. Leaves, twigs, and trash are trapped while water runs right through them. In addition to being the primary purification for rainwater, leaf eaters also prevent system clogs.
First Flush Diverters
Designed to remove the contaminated initial rainwater containing dust, leaves, and fecal matter accumulated on your roof and in your gutters between rain events, this gadget helps keep your water storage clean.
Strainer Baskets
These accessories are designed to filter out foreign particles using a mesh screen in the tank opening. They prevent debris from flowing inside the tank and potentially causing blockages or damage to sensitive plumbing components such as pumps, valves, and traps. The collected particles can then be easily removed from the strainer.
Sediment Filters
While their primary function is to capture suspended particles like sand and dirt, they also prevent larger rust particles and silt from entering your water system and water-using appliances. The efficiency of removal depends on the filter's micron rating (pore size).
UV Disinfection Systems
Rainwater can be easily disinfected by passing it through a UV disinfection system - an optional but highly effective step in treating harvested rainwater. This unit contains a UV lamp that emits light, which destroys the DNA of any microorganisms present, rendering them harmless. It's a fast, reliable, and chemical-free method that leaves the water tasting as natural as it was when falling on your roof.
Tank Connection and Overflow Accessories
Tank connection accessories are the inlets and outlets secured on a rainwater catchment tank. They provide a channel for rainwater to enter the tank, fill it, and exit it through the taps. Overflow accessories ensure excess water can easily and safely drain away. They include:
Tank Connectors and Fittings
Tank inlets, outlets, or nipples create watertight passages that provide leak-proof water supply.
Overflow Kits and Pipes
A precautionary component that redirects extra water when the tank is overfilled.
Tank Level Monitors
A system that uses floats or probe sensors to sense and relay information about the water level in a storage tank.
Pump and Distribution Accessories
Effective water distribution and pressure control in a water tank system depends on pumps and distribution accessories ensuring a consistent and dependable water supply. Some of such accessories include:
Submersible Pumps
Submersible pumps are specialized electrical distributors that are fully submerged in water. They increase the pressure in storage tanks to move water from one location to another, pushing it exactly where you need it.
Booster Pumps
Most common pump type for residential applications, booster pumps are uniquely made to support the most demanding pumping needs. The speed controller integration enables the pump to vary performance to match with water consumption/usage.
Piping and Valves
A piping system is a network of pipes that moves water into and out of the tank. On the other hand, valves control the flow of water within the piping system and isolate particular parts of the system for maintenance or repair.
Maintenance Accessories
Rainwater harvesting tanks critically depend on regular monitoring and maintenance accessories since they guarantee water quality, system lifetime, and effective performance. Examples of such tools include:
- Water Quality Test Kits: Test strips or vials determine the presence and levels of contaminants by testing various parameters such as pH, bacteria, hardness, total dissolved solids, and chlorine levels, ensuring that the filtered water is safe to drink.
- Tank Cleaning Equipment: These are electric and manual tools used to clean rainwater tanks. They include rotary jet and spray heads, high-pressure washers, wall-mounted cleaning devices, dewatering pumps, brushes, scrubbers, and sponges.
Selecting the Right Rainwater Harvesting Tank Accessories for Your Specific Needs
While there are general standards on rainwater storage tank accessories, you have the liberty to customize your system based on preference and needs.
Assess Your Rainwater Harvesting Requirements
Rainfall patterns, including variability, duration, and intensity, directly influence storage capacity, filtration needs, and pump requirements, dictating the accessories to buy. Before choosing accessories, it’s best to also consider intended water usage such as flushing toilets, cleaning, and irrigation. This assessment guides the choice of accessories to effectively satisfy your specific needs and meet the water quality standards.
Match Accessories to Tank Type and Size
The right rainwater tank accessories depend on the tank’s material and size, and they play a big role in keeping your system efficient and your water clean. For example, tanks made from lightweight materials like polyethylene often need well-fitted inlet strainers to block debris and tight-fitting lids to prevent light, insects, and animals from getting in. Larger tanks may require extra accessories like first flush diverters and overflow outlets to handle higher volumes of water safely.
As for shape and orientation, both vertical and horizontal tanks are unique and require specialized fittings for inlet and outlet pipes. Furthermore, tank location is equally important. Above-ground tanks are easy to access and maintain, while underground water tanks are protected from extreme temperatures and debris, but they both have specific accessory needs.
Consider Installation and Maintenance
It is important to reflect on three main concerns when choosing water tank add-ons:
- Will this accessory effectively fulfill its intended purpose within my specific rainwater harvesting system and seamlessly integrate with my existing tank type and size?
- Can I easily and cost-effectively install this accessory, or will professional installation be required, impacting the overall investment?
- Does this add-on offer good value for its price, considering its quality, durability, ease of installation and maintenance, and any warranties or assurances provided?
- Is this accessory constructed from high-quality, durable materials that are suitable for my local climate and will provide reliable performance over the long term?
Investing in the Right Accessories for a Sustainable Rainwater System with Tank Depot
Tank Depot is a leading supplier of rainwater harvesting tanks and their subsequent accessories. We work with top manufacturers to provide our customers with quality units. All our listings meet industry regulatory standards, with various material options and gallon capacities. We also offer recommendations for professional installation of water tanks and accessories.
Contact Tank Depot today for all your rainwater harvesting tank accessories needs!
