Rainwater harvesters

Why harvest rainwater?

The average European uses 144 L of water at home daily. Consumption is even greater in Canada and the United States, where the average person uses more than 300 L each day.

This water is treated and distributed by costly municipal systems, and yet only a small fraction of it is used for functions that actually require potable water.

The scale of waste is enormous - and so is the opportunity it gives us to protect precious drinking water supplies by making better use of rain.

Uses for rainwater

Harvested rainwater can be used in countless ways. Some of the more common uses include:

How do our rainwater harvesters work?

Collection

Rainwater is first collected by rain gutters (for sloped roofs) or a drain (for flat roofs). It then reaches a primary filter that prevents leaves, insects, and other debris from entering the system. Water that passes through the filter flows into a recovery tank.

Storage

Collected rainwater is stored in a leak-proof tank that is installed on the property or inside a building.

The tank is equipped with a circulation system that prevents water stagnation. During a downpour, this system evacuates liquid at the bottom of the tank to ensure that only the freshest water remains.

Rainwater use

Using harvested rainwater is simple. A specially designed pump directs stored water through a micro-filter that removes any small particles, then provides optimal pressure to supply appliances, plumbing fixtures, and building systems.

If no rainwater is available in the storage tank, all appliances are automatically and reliably supplied from the regular water system.

Rainwater harvester maintenance

Rewatec rainwater harvesters are designed to operate reliably and autonomously for years. But, like all rainwater recovery systems, they require periodic maintenance to ensure high performance.

As part of this simple maintenance schedule, the property owner should:

• rinse ground filters twice per year (spring and fall)
• rinse the toilet-supply filter (every three to six months)
• empty aboveground tanks, open the taps, and put the pump into storage (for seasonal use)