Designing a stormwater harvesting system starts by considering the location's rainfall patterns, the kinds of available surfaces for collection, and how you intend to use the collected water. The first step is calculating the potential volume of runoff that can be collected based on the catchment area and average rainfall. Once this is determined, it's time to select a collection method. These may include roof drains, gutters, or surface channels. It’s important to include filtration elements early in the design to remove leaves, debris, and sediment before storage.
The storage system must be sized to handle both typical and peak rainfall events, and the material chosen for tanks or ponds should be durable and suitable for the site conditions. If the harvested water will be reused, the system must include treatment processes tailored to the intended use, whether that’s irrigation, industrial processes, or groundwater recharge. Pumps and distribution infrastructure are then planned to deliver the water efficiently. The system should also include provisions for overflow and safe discharge during heavy rains.
