Do, I have to emphasize why we need to conserve rain water? This is why:
To save rain water is to save lives. When the water goes splashing out of your house, it gets wasted by flooding the roads and gutters. Just think, if every house conserved all that rain water which falls on it, none will go flooding the roads, so nor will it get wasted, nor will it endanger lives. Saving rain water will have a great impact on the environment. You will have plenty of free extra water to wash those curtains and carpets and what not, later on!
As I wrote my blog on rain water conservation last week: Rain water control, tree plantation, elections and my life. I got very excited; I had already worked out how I’d be doing it at my house. The meeting with my plumber had already taken place. It was easy, as he worked on my house during construction. So, he went and noted the outlet pipe which would be used for conserving the rain water.
‘Why not close the other outlets on the roof?’ I asked him.
‘That would be very dangerous for the roof.’ He said. The main sloping of the roof had been done having most of the water going in one direction. So, that is where we placed the blue drum container, over the ledge which, he assured me, can take the weight of it. We wanted to place the container below the roof level, yet above ground level, with an outlet leading it to a tap placed two feet above ground level. Now, this water can be used as we like; for watering our plants, washing the car, or whatever else etc.
So, here is this project, so you can do it too. For me the initial project cost Rs.20,000/- ($ 2000) with best materials. It is a simple and doable design. In the next phase I’ll do the same for the two terraces.
Steps to take:
- Analysis situation:
- Know, how much rain you are expecting, choose size of container accordingly. Use the quality which is best. So, it is long lasting and won’t buckle up under the hot sun, and rain lashings and storms. The one with a thickest container wall material.
- What will you use the water for? Choose a place closest to it. For instance if you want to do car washing and lawn water, then let it be near the front porch.
- Have all options open to you first. Not a bad idea to ask more than one consultants. But the best one is to have a good plumber who knows his job well. Implementation has to be good.
- If the water is clean: take it back into your water tank, (if you don’t use it as drinking water, of course!)
- Break the rain water project into phases:
- Phase one: So, this which I’ve used is for lawn, plants, and pets’ water requirements, and to wash the side area of the house.
- Phase two: will be upstairs terraces, one and two. So, these will need two smaller containers for each one, later on.
- Phase three: Preparing a small dip in the lawn so all the water gets contained within.
- More water conservations options:
- Connect all AC outlets of water pipes into containers. In Karachi, I’ve filled a tub with water to use to wash my children’s clothes. This water is clean and can be used for drinking, as well as for car and UPS batteries.
- Connect wash basin outlet with WC, so it is used for flushing.
- The kitchen sink water can be used for garden.
- Be conscious of water wastage while showering, tooth brushing and face washing. Close the tap in between usage, every time.
Equipment: Container for water, PVC pipes, tap, drill etc. All these will be suggested by the plumber, and he can buy them for you.
Let’s talk money! So, how much would this project cost? Well, an advertisement I had found and shared on my page offered to do it all for Rs. 80,000/- Mine was completed within Rs.20,000/- He didn’t charge for consultation as he is my plumber for many years.
During construction of your house, do remember to slope the entire roof towards one direction nearest to the underground water tank.
Time: Three days!
First day: consultation, planning with measurements,
Second day: getting equipment.
Third day: Implementation of plan.
Note: the work of first two days can be done on same day, or the second and third day. But this is the most time, it would take.
That’s it!
Just imagine, if every house in the cities, holds the rain water within its premises, then how much flooding would take place?
Do take charge, and implement this plan. Rather than sit and blame others, and expecting the government to do something about it, do something yourself. It is our country, our city and our community which we have to save along with our own home!
Note: If you like, my team at Shireen’s Studio on Facebook can do it for you if you are in Islamabad; you can inbox on the page, or here. I know you are brilliant enough to do it yourself. So my dear one, do it and show me pictures of it, I’ll add it in my upcoming posts.
Special thought: We can offer such projects for schools for the under -privileged children also. As we can see here, so much rain water gets wasted every time. If we do this for all buildings, we can use it for the benefit of children and maintenance of the establishment also.
Its just a matter of getting together and seeing how else we can use this water and technique. As I write, last night there was so much rain that this water tank you see, got full. Now, I’m thinking I need another reservoir tank below it to conserve its’ over-flow also, (see that broad water pipe? It flows out from here.) Suddenly, I’ve got a lot of water to use for my plants and different uses in and around the house!
Special note: All photographs have been taken by author.
