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Rainwater Harvesting Schematic
4 Comments
James Mercer Commercial Project Manager from Ken Neyer Plumbing Inc. contacted me to look at a schematic for a 3 rain barrel system which uses 4″ connectors and has first flush capability for rooftop debris separation. My job was to supply the barrels to the specifications given within the schematic. This unit is to be installed on the Dater Montessori Renovation Project which is looking at achieving the first LEED Silver certified renovated school in Ohio.What makes this system different than my ordinary multiple barrel configurations is the roof washer extension (click image above to view). From top to bottom it shows a rainwater leader, which is basically a 4″ pipe from the rooftop catchment area, where rainwater is diverted. The rainwater then runs down a roof washer extension that has a hose bib installed on the side to let water out and pull debris downward (so it doesn’t flow to the barrels). At the end of the tube is an end cap that can be unscrewed for maintenance purposes (to remove sediment). There is also a splash block below to catch drips or flow from the hose bib spigot. This is good, basic debris removal for LEED certified systems.
The barrels connect end to end with 4″ PVC pipe, the overflow spills into a storm hub with air break. Do ordinary rain barrels need debris removal like this? Not really because they can be hosed out a couple times a season BUT multiple barrel systems that are to be left in place do require some sort of roof washer extension or first flush capability. If you have a rooftop catchment area that collects lots of bird droppings and other debris you might also want to consider this system. Open the hose bib further and dirty water will flow out the side of the washer extension within the first few minutes of a sizable rain storm. If you plan to store water in rain barrels for long periods of time removing as much sediment as possible can only help.
Interested in having me make you this complete system or a slightly modified unit? Talk to me, I would enjoy seeing a few of you out there with more advanced systems on your homes.
Home | Hidden Rain BarrelsPublished on May 7, 2009 · Filed under: Projects
4 Responses to “Rainwater Harvesting Schematic”
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Why are the 3 rain barrels connected at the top of the barrels rather than at the bottom of the barrels? It seems that by attaching them together at the bottom, only the last barrel will need a faucet at the base and the water pressure will also be greater. You won’t have to drain each barrel separately.
Are you getting orders for this system? How much do they cost?
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Hi Bill, people often request that barrels are attached above so 1.) the barrels separate debris the further the h2o flows down the line and 2.) each barrel can attach to a hose from the hose bibb and empty independently. So, if barrel one fills in a small storm all that water can be sent out it’s spigot, (the water evenly distributes between rain barrels with little water in each when attached below). I do also attach barrels lower on the barrel by default yes, this is the preferred configuration, minimal increase in pressure but three barrels can easily fill from an average catchment area during an average rain shower, so yes, a good configuration.
The above configuration was specified by the architect, I made exactly what he wanted for $150 per barrel because it was a fun project.
Thanks for the good question, sorry for the slow reply! -Aaron
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DeCoughey, Marietta, Ga said on July 20th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Hey Ya’ll,
A very easy and aesthetically pleasing solution to the top needing a critter/debris cover is to “find” a piece of nylon construction fencing (preferably green), wrap your bareel with it too get rid of the white eye catch and then cut a piece for the top that can be secured with a bunge cord and bale twine (often plastic these days). This allows you to reduce eye clutter by matching your barrel with surrounding colors of summer and allows you to access the barrels if you need to inspect. The most dramatic benefeit is… you will never find a dead crittter or…. live, aggressive snake in the barrel because the construction fabric has kept them out, particularly if you put yiur barrels at groud level. The thought of pulling a dead opposum out of the reain barrel after a protracted “smell discovery mission” is not appetizing, even here in the south.
I’m currently looking for a way to use a sump pump in the storm drain to “soak” my lawn during rain storms….whatever the system, it must be pennies not dollars being spent. Otherwise the whole thing seems counter productive.
E-mail me if you want pictures of “Camoflaged” rainbarrels.
DeCoughey
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DeCoughey, Marietta, Ga said on July 20th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Just a further note about debris in the model of the system….the fabric revents the debris from entering in the first place but for the chance for sediment, use 2″ plastic with screw off end for the spigot end and once a year when they’re full and the lawn need the water, unscrew the end and let the silt and minor debris out in the rush.
Decoughey
