Non-Infrastructural Rainwater Harvesting Systems are basically low cost and easy to construct with limited resources or basic raw materials. They generally take less space as compared to the traditional RWH which can store upto minimum of 500litres to 3000Litres according to the area available. They are modular structures which can be customised based upon the quantity of rain water one has to harvest. Some are described below based upon their area and cost.
Rain Saucer
Rain Saucer looks like an inverted umbrella attached with a sintex or pvc tank on the ground (as per requirement) which collects rainwater that is non-contaminated and kept clean.
Area Required: 3 x 3 Meters (As per area available).
Capacity of Recharge: 2000 Litres (1370mm Dia x 1465mm Ht)
Total Costing with Breakup: 16500 Rs (Tank) + 2500 (Umbrella) + 1500Rs (Pipe + Fixing)
Mandays Required for Casting: 1day (1500Rs)
Perforated Rain Barrel
A rainwater barrel/ sintex tank (650mm x 750mm ht) is fitted under ground with gravels (30mm thickness) around it.
Area Required: 1.5 x 2 Mtr or 1.5 x1.5mtr
Capacity of Recharge: 300Litres (Helps in Ground Water Recharge upto any level)
Total Costing Breakup: 2000Rs (Tank) + Gravels (1900Rs) + Pipe Work (1500)
Mandays Required: 1 Days
Steps:
Rain Barrel Harvesting
A rainwater barrel/ sintex tank (650mm x 750mm ht) is fitted under ground with gravels (30mm thickness) around it.
Area Required: 2.5 Sqmtr , 1.5 x 2 Mt
Capacity to Recharge: 1000-2500 Litres (Sintex PVC Tank)
Total Costing: 18000Rs. (Including Tank + Pipe Work + Miscellaneous Work)
Mandays Required for Casting: 2 Days (2000Rs)
Trash Can Barrel Rainwater Harvesting
Area Required: 1 x 2 Mtr = 2 to 2.5 Sqmtr
Capacity to Recharge: 500-1000 Litres
Total Costing – 12000 (Including Trash Can + Fixing + Miscellaneous)
Mandays Required for Casting: 1 Day (1500Rs)
Vertical Rain Barrel Harvesting System
Generally, preferable when the building height is more or area available is less. Each level has it’s own structural slab which supports the weight of the barrel, there is a shutoff valves between the each level. Each layer has it’s own downspout connection, to handle inflow and overflow.
Area Required – 1.5Mt x 2.5 Mtrs
Capacity to Recharge = 1500-2000 Litres
Total Costing – 17000-21000 Rs (Includes everything)
Man-days Required for Casting: 2-3 Days
For further references : https://www.bluebarrelsystems.com/blog/diy-files-stack-rain-barrels/
Rain Garden in Backyard/Frontyard
Rain Garden helps in creating a small ecosystem around the house and where it has been created along with recharging and increasing the ground water level. This is the most natural and cheapest form of Rainwater Harvesting method, it also purifies the water through natural means.
Area Required: 12-20 Sqmtr
Capacity to Recharge –
Plants Required – Doob Grass, Sheesham, Kaner , Lotus, Cana, Vetiver Grass, Lilly
Total Costing – 12000 Rs.
Mandays Required for Casting: 2-3 Days (Based on Plantation and Area)
Rainwater Harvesting Permaculture
In permaculture, a small patch of land around the small farming area is dug to move or conserve the water inside this patch of depth 0.45mt max. This helps in keeping the green area moist all the time and helps in managing the micro-climate with fishes, plants, and reduction in temperature.
Area Required – 15-20 Sqmtr
Capacity to Recharge – 1000-1500Litres
Total Cost – 10000-13000 Rupees
Man-days Required for Casting – 2-3 Days