BUET M.

Arch Cla

URBAN RAINWATER
HARVESTING

24 August, 2014

Ar. Tasneem Tariq

Lecturer
Department of Architecture
BUET.

(B.Arch, M.Arch)

WHAT IS RAINWATER HARVESTING?

HOW CAN WE HARVEST IT?

Basically two ways of harvesting and using the

rainwater:
(1) to store and use;
(2) to recharge the aquifer.

What is rainwater
harvesting ?

 It helps in taking off the pressure of the local

aquifers and municipal water system.

Why rainwater
harvesting ?

It provides a measure of independence to

water users.
It helps to reduce storm water runoff by
intercepting and sequestering it for later use.
To meet the requirements of building bye-laws
(legislation).
To build a water literate and prudent society.

Where can you do

rainwater
harvesting ?

Individual buildings
Colonies
Apartments
Institutions
Schools/colleges/universities
Clubs
Commercial complexes
Hospitals
Industries
In short, everywhere

 Tar
felted
roofs:
Source
of
biological
and
heavy
metal
contamination
Asbestos sheets: Weathered and
leached fibres of asbestos
highly toxic

Catchments:
What to avoid

Chemically treated roofs: Eg.

Chemicals used for water proofing,
will have high concentration of
heavy metals like lead.
Water
from
kitchen
and
bathrooms should not be used for
harvesting.
Any other contaminated runoff
(industrial or domestic waste
water) should not be used for
harvesting.

Components of a
rainwater harvesting
system

 Channels for sloping

roofs are gutters and
differ in size, shape
and material

Conduit System
The downtake pipes
for flat roofs may be
concealed or open and
may be made of PVC
or MS.

DOES IT PRACTICALLY WORK?

CYGNUS MICROSYSTEM, HYDER

Case study:
Groundwater is under
decline- Rainwater
stored for drinking

S.no

Parameters

Sample-1
Before Sample-2
Aquaguard
After
Aquaguard

Desirable Limit

.pH

8.66

8.59

7.0-8.5

Colour in Hazen Units

Nil

Nil

Odour

Nil

Nil

Nil

Turbidity in Ntu

Nil

Nil

The following results in mg/l

Total Alkalinity

20

16

300

Total Hardness as CaCO3

32

32

300

Total Dissolved Solids

55

54

Ammonical Nitrogen NH3N

Nil

Nil

Nitrite as NO2

Nil

Nil

10

Nitrate as NO3

0.4

0.4

45

11

Floride as F

Nil

Nil

12

Chloride as Cl

12

200

13

Sulphates as SO4

Trace

Trace

200

Tanka, Ashutosh Bhatt, Ahmedabad

Case study:
Groundwater is under
decline- Rainwater
stored traditionally
for years

Residence at Hyderabad

Case study: City

supply very irregularRainwater stored for
drinking and cooking

Sukhabihar slums, Bhubaneshwar

Parameters

Sample

Desirble
limit

pH

7-8.5

Total Alkalinity

140

300

Total Hardness

120

300

Nitrate as NO3

0.01

45

Floride as F

Chloride as Cl

24

200

Iron as Fe

0.1

Bacteria

Nil

Nil

The following results in mg/l

HARVESTING
SYSTEMS AT JAMIA
HAMDARD
UNIVERSITY
AREA
:3,15,380 SQ M
RAINWATER HARVESTED: 674 LAKH
LITRES
COST FOR IMPLEMENTATION : 6.25
LAKHS
DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION : JUNE
2001

PRE AND POST MONSOON WATER QUALITY DATA OF

HAMDARD UNIVERSITY
45

50
45
40

30

35

V
A
LU
E
S

30
25

20

18

20
15

7.11 7.45

10

4.49
0

2.35

2.1

1.2

pH

Acidity ( Mg/l)

Oil & Grease(ppb)

Nitrate( Mg/l)

Turbidity(NTU)

PARAME T E RS

Premosoon

Postmonsoon

Permissible limit

PRE AND POST MONSOON WATER QUALITY DATA OF HAMDARD UNIVERSITY

700
595

600

517

500

VALUES

500
400
300
300
200
100

160
75

64
21.64

87

88

83
0

32

54

50

Calcium ( Mg/l)

Total Suspended
Solids ( TSS)

Magnesium ( Mg/l)

TDS(ppm)

Hardness( Mg/l)

Residence of H
Ramesha Mysore,
south India

HARVESTING SYSTEMS AT
PANCHSHEEL PARK

AREA
: 3,57,150 SQ M

RAINWATER HARVESTED: 1756

LAKH LITRES
COST FOR IMPLEMENTATION :
RS. 8.0 LAKHS
DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION :
JULY 2002

PREMONSOON AND POSTMONSOON WATER QUALITY DATA OF PANCHSHEEL

PARK COLONY
70

59.5

60

50
45

VA
LU
E
S

50
40

30

30
17

20
7.39

6.59

10

14.98

7
0

3.26

0.36

pH

Acidity ( Mg/l)

Oil & Grease(ppb)

Nitrate( Mg/l)

Turbidity (NTU)

PARAMETRES
Premosoon

Postmonsoon

Permissible limit

PREMONSOON AND POSTMONSOON WATER QUALITY DATA OF PANCHSHEEL

PARK COLONY
2500
2140
2000
1550

VALUES

1500

1000
668
456

500

268
90

71.9

50

500

417

300

250
48

120

75

Mg( Mg/l)

calcium ( Mg/l)

chloride( Mg/l)
PARAMETRES

TDS(ppm)

Hard ness (Mg/l)

WAYS TO USE RAINWATER

STORAGE
RECHARGE

Purulia

Storage systems
Bangalore

Puri

Recharge well

Recharge structures

First flush devices

Help flush out the first
2.5 mm of rainfall
Filters out air-borne
and other pollutants
from the catchment
usually present in the
first rains

To recharge well/
storage tank

Rainwater
pipe from
rooftop

To storm water/
sewage drain

Diversion
valve
(manual)

First flush devices

Storm water drains

(open or covered)

Rainwater may get contaminated with dust,

bacteria, particulates and dissolved gases.
Filters range from first flush systems to advanced
systems such as those activated carbon for
drinking purposes
Simple: Sedimentation, sand filtration

FILETERS

Before every monsoon this has to be cleaned up

Types of filters Mixed, sand, Dewas, Varun and
desilting chambers

A Simple filter
Coarse sand 1-2 mm
Gravel 3-6 mm
Boulders 50-100 mm

Mixed filter

FILETERS

Dewas filter

GRONDWATER CONDITION
Groundwater Scenario in Bangladesh-with Special Focus on the Dhaka
City and Coastal Areas
Kazi Matin Ahmed PhD
Professor
Department of Geology
University of Dhaka
kmahmed@du.ac.bd

Planet Earth or Planet Water

What is Groundwater?

Rainfall that soaks into the ground

and moves downwards into pore
spaces and cracks in the rocks
becomes groundwater.
The rocks tahat store groundwater
are aquifers.
The study of groundwater is called
hydrogeology.
The study of groundwater requires
an understanding of the
hydrological cycle as it pertains to
the recharge and discharge of
groundwater

The Hydrologic Cycle

Regional Distribution of Global

Regional Distribution of
Freshwater
Resources

Global Freshwater Resources

Regional Distribution of Global

Freshwater Resources

material affects
groundwater movement
WELL SORTED
Coarse (sand-gravel)

POORLY SORTED
Coarse - Fine

WELL SORTED
Fine (silt-clay)

Permeability and Hydraulic Conductivity

High

Low
S. Hughes,

Cone of Depression

1. Lowering of Water
Table

2. Reversal of
Groundwater Flow
Direction

3. Saltwater Intrusion

4.Land Subsidence

For Dhaka
Groundwat
er : source
of drinking
water for
97% of the
population

Development Constraints: Arsenic

88

89

90

92

26

Rivers
% of wells exceding 0.05 mg/L
0-1
1.1 - 20
20.1 - 40
40.1 - 60
W
60.1 - 80
80.1 - 100
No data

26

N
E
S

25

25

24

24

23

23

22

22

Bay of Bengal
21

21

Presence of arsenic
High salinity
Excessive dissolved
chemical and radioactive
elements
Lowering of water level
Occurrences of gravel
Occurrences of biogenic
methane
Pollution from various
sources
Overexploitation of
groundwater
Hilly Terrain

91

80

88

89

80 Kilometers

90

91

92

Coastal Aquifer

21
22
109

28 29
D h a m u rh a t

S a p a h 1a 0r 7

17

14
P o rs h a
20

Pocket Salinity in
NW Bangladesh

46

15
32

N ia m a tp u r
39 37
M anda

35

N achol

4 3 a4 3
42

6
13

N aw abganj
44

T a n o 2r e

12
11

8
G o d a g a ri

104
36

30
27

34
M 3a 1h a d e b p u r

38110

101
5
G o m a s ta p u r
47 102
S h4 i5b g a n j

18

19

B h o la h a t
49
48

P a tn ita la
16

23

106

B a d a lg a c h h i
25

24

8 9 .0 0

Groundwater Flow
Directions

9 0 .0 0

9 1 .0 0

9 2 .0 0

2 6 .0 0

2 6 .0 0

2 5 .0 0

2 5 .0 0

2 4 .0 0

2 4 .0 0

2 3 .0 0

2 3 .0 0

2 2 .0 0

2 2 .0 0

80
2 1 .0 0

60

40

20

-2 0

-4 0
2 1 .0 0

W a te r L e v e l E le v a tio n (m ) o f A u g u s t 2 0 0 2
8 9 .0 0

9 0 .0 0

9 1 .0 0

9 2 .0 0

Monitoring network
of groundwater
levels

(Shamsudduha et al., 2009)

Spatial variability in
seasonality and trends

b
a

Seasonal
groundwater flow
dynamics
Highest and lowest
groundwater levels are observed
in September and April
respectively
higher seasonal fluctuations are
observed in the Brahmaputra
and upper Ganges floodplains

Groundwater levels are referenced to

(a)

Long-term (1985-2005) trends in shallow

groundwater levels
(b)

Wet season trends

(c)

Mean level trends

Dry season trends

Monitoring well
depth (m, pwd)

Change in longterm GW storage

GW fluctuation
(m)

Major findings:
current trends

Rapid declines (>1 m/year) in shallow

groundwater levels in and around Dhaka
urban/industrial abstraction is drawing from
long-term storage; low permeability of surface
geology impedes direct recharge to shallow
aquifer

Steady declines in groundwater levels (50-100

cm/year) occur in the NW, north-central and
SW districts due to intensive abstraction for
dry-season groundwater-fed irrigation

Declining groundwater levels (50-100 cm/year)

during wet periods indicate the shallow
aquifers are not completely recharged in
many parts of the country

Rising groundwater levels (0-10 cm/year) are

observed in southern deltaic and estuarine areas
and these are associated with the sea level rise
and local recharge

HOW TO DESIGN?
STORAGE
RECHARGE TANK/WELL

How much rainwater is available ?

store the rainwater for direct use?

recharge the groundwater?

Planning & designing

what are the planning considerations?
Capacity of storage structure/s,
how many structures,
what kind of material, siting,
how to ensure quality of water etc

What will be the cost and can I afford it? Will it be

cost-effective?

Collecting key data

for rainwater
harvesting

Catchment details: Area, type and nature

Meteorological data: Get average annual
rainfall, intensity and spatial distribution
Geological data: Nature of rocks and soil
Hydrogeological data: Depth of
groundwater table and receptiveness of
aquifer
User water profile: Total water
requirements, proportion already
available, source of availability
Topographical information: nature of
topography hilly areas, plain, rocky
area etc
Other miscellaneous information
Rooftop plan and site plan
Budget available and tentative cost

STORAGE TANK

Catchment

Collection
efficiency
(%)

Runoff coefficient

Runoff co-efficient
Roof flat/sloped

80-90

0.8-0.9

Paved area
60-70
driveway/courtyard, roads

0.6-0.7

Unpaved area
garden, playground

30-40

0.3-0.4

Lawns

10

0.1

What is runoff coefficient?

Percentage of runoff or water
that will be available to you for
storage or
recharge. Smooth surfaces will
provide greater percentage for
use; unpaved surfaces will
absorb more water and less
water for use.
Amount of water lost is for
evaporation, absorption by
surface, leakages etc.

Studying site plan/details

Site plan helps in finding

out:
Catchments, rain
outlets (in existing
buildings)
Space available for
water harvesting
structures
Plumbing (water and
sewage) and electrical
lines in the site
Contour map to find out
about the natural
drainage & slope
Other features like a
compost pit etc

Storage system

Ferro-cement

Materials
Masonry

PVC Tank

Materials

Materials

When to store?

Nature of aquifer :If aquifers are

impermeable, non-porous.
Groundwater level: If depth of water level
is less than 8 meters
Nature of terrain: If the terrain is hilly,
rocky or undulating
Nature of soil: If the soil is clayey
Nature of geological formation: If
comprises of massive rocks ( hard
metamorphic rocks)

Positioning and siting

of the tank

Underground

Groundlevel

Overground

Based on position

Underground RCC tank

Loft tank

Tanks should be sited close to the catchment and point

of use to reduce cost, leakages and make it more
efficient.

Siting of storage system

Storage tanks should be in shady places to reduce

chances of contamination.
They should be easily accessible for cleaning and
maintenance.
The overflow from the storage tanks should be led away
from the foundation of the building and should be at
minimum 1.2 m away from the foundation.

Number of storage
structures

Site conditions
Location of down pipes
Slope of the roof
Building lay out
Size of tank/s
Budget

How much can you harvest?

Runoff =A x R x C
A=Area in sq m
R= Annual rainfall in mm
C=Runoff coefficient
An example
A =200 m2
R = 500 millimeters
C = 0.80
Runoff = 80,000 litres

Size of storage tank ,V

=nxdxq
No. of water users X No. of dry days X per capita
demand

SIZE

Example:
Nos. of persons in a household : 5
Nos. of dry days in a year
: 200
Per capita consumption (lpcd) : 10
Water to store (non-monsoon period):
5 x 200 x 10 = 10,000 liters
So, size of storage tank to meet water demand =
10 cubic metres

Size of tanks determined by

(1) Water demand; Water availability
Water demand:
Number of persons,
percapita requirement,
dry days requirement

SIZE

Availability
() Average annual rainfall
If rainfall is more than the demand, size for demand;
If rainfall is less than demand, size to rainfall
() Number of dry days
When rainfall is less than demand, plan for the most
scarce period
() Pattern of rainfall
When rain uniformly distributed size can be smaller;
() Type and size of the catchment
Larger the catchment, larger the size of the tank.

Availability (from rainwater harvesting)

Rooftop area: 50 sqm; Rainfall: 1170 mm; Runoff
coefficient: 0.85
Water available from rooftop: 50 x 1170 x 0.85 =
49,725 litres
Availability = 50 cubic metres

Demand versus
Availability

Demand

Nos. of persons in a household: 4

Dry days = 250 days; Scarcity period = 90

days

Per capita consumption: 135 lpcd;

Water demand for dry days = 4x135x250

= 135000 l

Water demand for scarcity period =

4x135x90 = 48600 l
So, size tank for scarcity period = 50,000
litres tank
Recommended = Underground sump

Availability (from rainwater harvesting)

Rooftop area: 10 sqm; Rainfall: 1170
mm; Runoff coefficient: 0.85
Water available from rooftop: 10 x 1170
x 0.85 = 9945 litres
Availability = 10 cubic metres

Demand versus
Availability

Demand
Nos. of persons in a household: 4
Dry days = 250 days; Scarcity period = 90 days;
Per capita consumption for only cooking and
drinking = 10 litres
1. Water demand for dry days = 4x10x250 = 10000 l
2. Water demand for scarcity period = 4x10x90 =
3600 l
So, size tank for dry days for only cooking &
drinking = 10,000 litres tank
Recommended = Overground tank

Feasiblity: In hard rock areas UG tanks not suitable

Location: Should not be located under dense tree
cover

Selection of tank
type : FACTORS

Economical condition of user: Interest &

willingness to pay
Weather and climate: GI tanks unsuitable for
coastal areas
Purpose of the storage: Potable or non potable
Availability

Quality concern

Clean catchment (rooftop, etc) before monsoon

Cover roof outlet on terraces with mesh to

prevent leaves & debris entering the system

Keep diversion valves open for the first 5 to 10

minutes (First flush) to drain away pollutants
from first rains

Replace or wash filter materials before the

monsoon

Tightly close the storage tank to avoid entry of

sunlight and insects.

Use hand pump or other apparatus to take out

water from the storage tanks to avoid
contamination as study suggests that

1. Physical parameters
2. Chemical Parameters
3. Bacteriological
parameters

Water quality

Alkalanity
Ph
Conductivity
Turbidity
Total hardness
TDS
Sulphate
Chloride
Fluoride
Iron
Calcium
Magnesium
Coliform..and some more
area specific contaminants.

 Use of chlorine tablets

Adding bleaching
powder
Simple boiling
Solar disinfection
How can you disinfect
stored rainwater?

Any other treatment

facility

Storage
capacity of
tank (litre)

Dosage of bleaching
powder
Full tank
(gms)

Half tank
(gms)

5000

50

25

10000

100

50

Purification

Cygnus Microsystems, Hyderabad, south

central India

Catchment

Filter and tank

RECHARGE WELL
Parameters favoring storage
Components of a storage system
Materials storage tanks
Position and siting of storage tank
Design of storage tank
Precautions to maintain quality of water
Changes in quality of stored rainwater

Why is intensity important?

When intensity is high, you get a large amount of
rainfall in a short period of time. You have to design
larger storage; recharge systems that will quickly
deliver the rainwater to the aquifer.
i.e.

Rainfall data

Volume of recharge structure depends on at least 15

minute rainfall of peak intensity
The recharge structure must be designed to deliver
this 25 mm of water to the aquifer.
e.g., For a rooftop area of 100 sq m holding capacity of
the recharge well = catchment area X peak rainfall
intensity for 15 minutes x run0ff coefficient = 100 x
0.025 x 0.85 = 2.125 cum

Costing for RWH

Costs are dependent on

Number and area of catchments
Number of collection chambers
Length of interconnecting pipes
Total number of structures
Types of structures planned (storage/ recharge)
Whether retrofitting/new construction
Site conditions (topography, soil characteristics
etc, existing features like unused under ground
tank, dried bore well, open well etc)
Soil conditions
Type of structures (recharge well, percolation
pits, using dry bore well/open well etc)
Type of material used (HDPE or MS pipes)

GROUP WORKS

Group 01

Site Plan

Group 02

Paved Area

Unpaved Area

Roof top

Lawn

Occupancy Type

Office building
Number of water users:
50

Water and Soil condition

Water Level: 45 mbgl

Nature of soil: alluvial
Quality of groundwater:
Satisfactory
Water Supply: City
supply+Borewell

Meteorological Data

Average annual rainfall: 755.4

mm
Intensity of Rainfall: 90 mm/hr
Number of rainy days: 40
Scarcity Period: 90 Days
Hard Spell: 15 minutes

Objective

In this area, ground water level is too

deep 45mbgl. So we have to improve the
situation.
We have a huge water of water all the
year round. We have the potential of
81.632 m3.
So rainwater will be very much helpful
to reduce pressure from municipal
supply.
T o mitigate the drainage congestion
and improve surface runoff
management.

Considerations
User water Profile:
Water Audit
Site analysis:
Site
Plumbing/electrical line
Natural slope
Rooftop Plan:
Runoff co-efficient
Flat .8
Paved .6
Unpaved .2
Run off= AxRxC A=area(sqm)
R=annual Rainfall (mm)
C=Runoff Co-efficient

Considerations
User Water Profile:
Drinking
3.33 LPCD
Cooking
1.33
Mopping
15.7
Utensil cleaning
22.6
Toilet Flushing
13.0
Hand/Face Washing 20.0
Bathing
29.5
Gardening
22.5

Demand Calculaion= n x q x d n-people

Q=demand (l/Cap/
d= Day
Time Period:
All the year round 365 days
Dry Period (365-Rainy day)
Scarcity Period

Design Decisions
Catchment Potential vs water Demand
Rainwater Available= AxRxC
A=area(sqm)
R=annual Rainfall (mm)
C=Runoff Co-efficient
Water Demand
Both:
Storage
Recharge
Recharge Well
=Ax Rx C
A=area(sqm)
R=Peak Intense rate (mm)
C=Runoff Co-efficient

3m

Storage Reservoir

2m

2m
2m

Storage Reservoir

5m

Recharge Trench

Recharge Trench

Metal Grill
.5m/
.64m

38m

5-8
m

MAINTENANCE

 Drain and clean storage tanks

thoroughly before every
monsoon
Change the filter media every
year
Remove algae from the roof tiles
and asbestos sheets before the
monsoon
Do not let water stagnate in the
collection chamber since this
will slow down the recharge of
water.
Repair cracks in ferrocement
tanks immediately.

Basic tips
Clean catchments areas
and rooftop outlets

Iron mesh over inlets and drains

Clean open drains

Keep recharge structures clean

BEFORE
AFTER

Some dos and donts

Cover with iron mesh

Do not leave open

Do not use as a
dumpyard

Landscaped recharge
wells

Food for thought

Multiplicity of ownership

The owner should take interest in maintaining it.

Food for thought

COI R FI LTER

ROOF TOP 120 sq.m

FI LTER
RWH I NDI VI DUAL HOUSE CASE STUDY

SUMP
1.6 Lakh Lit. CAPACI TY

THI RU D.SADASI VAM ATTUR, SALEM Dt

I S GETTI NG SUSTAI NED DRI NKI NG WATER
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE ROOF WATER
COLLECTED I S FI LTERED THROUGH A STAI NLESS
STEEL FI LTER CONTAI NI NG COCONUT COI R
FI LTER

SUMP WI TH
RAI NWATER

SITE VISIT

Acknowledgment
All the documents are supplied at
Training program on, Rainwater
Harvesting
and
Decentralised
Wastewater Management System ,
held on 23-27 Sep 2012 at BCDM,
Savar, Dhaka arranged by WaterAid
and CSE.

Thanks!