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See the [[Rainwater Catchment J Gnarly#Progress Images|Progress Images]] section for pictures of the components described below | See the [[Rainwater Catchment J Gnarly#Progress Images|Progress Images]] section for pictures of the components described below | ||
=== First Flush System === | ===First Flush System=== | ||
The first flush for this system is 10 gallons rather than the recommend 14 because the rainwater is being used for applications not requiring total debris removal, also the frequency of rain in the area and the lack of debris that collects in the gutters make for little build up of debris on the roof. Water continually drains from the first flush system at a rate of 2 gallons an hour, this rate is slow enough that significant rainwater will not be lost from collection and fast enough that it will drain completely before another major rain fall. Once the first flush collects 10 gallons of rainwater a racquet ball, floating on top of the water in the 4 inch ABS pipe is pushed by the water into a 2 inch ABS pipe and seals off the first flush, preventing additional water from entering and forcing the water to flow into the 3\4" PVC pipe connected to the storage drums. | The first flush for this system is 10 gallons rather than the recommend 14 because the rainwater is being used for applications not requiring total debris removal, also the frequency of rain in the area and the lack of debris that collects in the gutters make for little build up of debris on the roof. Water continually drains from the first flush system at a rate of 2 gallons an hour, this rate is slow enough that significant rainwater will not be lost from collection and fast enough that it will drain completely before another major rain fall. Once the first flush collects 10 gallons of rainwater a racquet ball, floating on top of the water in the 4 inch ABS pipe is pushed by the water into a 2 inch ABS pipe and seals off the first flush, preventing additional water from entering and forcing the water to flow into the 3\4" PVC pipe connected to the storage drums. | ||
=== Storage System === | ===Storage System=== | ||
Four 55 gallon food grade plastic drums painted green to prevent algae growth due to sunlight sit vertically on top of a sturdy platform and stand just behind the house by the bathroom. The stand is constructed from 9 pressure treated 4x4s and each one is set 2 feet deep in the ground with 100 pounds of concrete. A pressure treated 4x4 and 2x4 platform sits on top of the plum and level stand holding the storage drums at a height of 5 feet 9 inches. The drums are connected on the bottom through their bungs by 3/4" PVC and each tank has a 1/32 inch hole drilled in the top allowing the drums to quickly equalize their water levels. The PVC connecting the drums has two water outlet pipes; one goes to a ball valve and a then a hose fitting to water the garden, the other outlet goes to a ball valve and then into the house to connect with existing plumbing. | Four 55 gallon food grade plastic drums painted green to prevent algae growth due to sunlight sit vertically on top of a sturdy platform and stand just behind the house by the bathroom. The stand is constructed from 9 pressure treated 4x4s and each one is set 2 feet deep in the ground with 100 pounds of concrete. A pressure treated 4x4 and 2x4 platform sits on top of the plum and level stand holding the storage drums at a height of 5 feet 9 inches. The drums are connected on the bottom through their bungs by 3/4" PVC and each tank has a 1/32 inch hole drilled in the top allowing the drums to quickly equalize their water levels. The PVC connecting the drums has two water outlet pipes; one goes to a ball valve and a then a hose fitting to water the garden, the other outlet goes to a ball valve and then into the house to connect with existing plumbing. | ||
=== Plumbing === | ===Plumbing=== | ||
The existing plumbing for the toilet from the water main and the rainwater plumbing both have ball valves accessible from the kitchen in the water closet so that the toilet can be flushed with water from the main if the rainwater tanks run dry. Typical water pressure in modern houses is around 40 psi and the float valve that fills the toilet tank when empty requires a 20 psi minimum to operate, this rainwater catchment system has a max head of approximately 5 feet, giving the system a max psi of approximately 2 psi. | The existing plumbing for the toilet from the water main and the rainwater plumbing both have ball valves accessible from the kitchen in the water closet so that the toilet can be flushed with water from the main if the rainwater tanks run dry. Typical water pressure in modern houses is around 40 psi and the float valve that fills the toilet tank when empty requires a 20 psi minimum to operate, this rainwater catchment system has a max head of approximately 5 feet, giving the system a max psi of approximately 2 psi. | ||