An idea that no one can do without is that water, beyond all belief, it is a sacred element. Something that is undoubtedly necessary to meditate on, and understand that, as a community, we need to preserve it over time. In this sense, develop a rainwater collector It is a way of showing that awareness, and a minimal responsibility in the face of the probable shortage of this vital liquid.
You might find it inspiring to know that women in south africa they have made ingenious collection systems to survive droughts. Collecting rainwater is essential to make the most of this resource in any country, and the simple action of build your own rainwater collector It’s a small initiative that could ultimately save the region where you live from water scarcity.
This is the case of Mexico City, one of the three cities facing an early water crisis. under the motto rain for all, projects like the one from urban island are dedicated to installing water collectors in low-income populations, ensuring that the crisis it could be avoided if each house had its own water collector. And especially in Mexico, where rain abounds.
That is why at Ecoosphere we teach you how to do your own rainwater collector, in the easiest way. By doing so, you will help prevent flooding, extract less water from the aquifers, save the energy used in pumping systems and use free water. of chlorine. And the best? It is a way of taking this natural resource with freedom and nature, regardless of its lack.
To make your rain collector you will need:
Materials:
They can even be large trash cans. The important thing is that they can contain between 100 and 200 liters of water. You can buy them online, or get the ones used in restaurants to store food. Just make sure you sanitize it perfectly.
You can get the rest at any hardware store:
Tools:
Drill with 1.8 mm bit, manual saw, screws, gloves and protective glasses.
Instructions:
First of all, you must have installed a system of gutters and pipes, those that normally go directly to the floor. You will modify the path of the water, helping you from the downspout (or elbow). But first you need to do this:
1) Build a platform to support the barrels with the blocks. Flatten the side area of the outlet of the downspout or the metal tube that runs from the roof gutters to the floor.
two) Place a gravel cup in a rectangle that you have dug, 10 to 15 cm deep, filling it with a layer of gravel and the cinder blocks, then place the barrels.
3) Drill or saw a hole in the barrel where the water will fall through, or in the lid of the trash can. It must be the size of the downspout, to be able to adjust it to it and there are no gaps. Make a 1.8cm hole in the side to place the key, at a height that fits a bucket to drink the water later. Apply caulk to the edge of the hole, both outside and inside the barrel. Put the key, gathering the gasket and the key. To do so, use the Teflon tape that wraps the threaded edges, so it will be more hermetic and you will avoid any leaks. Place a washer on the tube from the inside, followed immediately by the bushing so it locks the wrench in place.*
*If you have any doubts about this, consult an expert in the store you go to beforehand. He will know how to guide you on how to perfectly place all these pieces, which in the end are nothing more than a random key connected to your collector boat.
4) Create a drain valve by drilling another hole a few inches from the top of the barrel (this can be used later to connect all your barrels). After applying the sealant, put the washer on the hose adapter by inserting it into the hole from the outside. Next, put the other washer on the inside threads, adding some teflon tape and a nut to tighten everything up. Finally, place the hose directly over the valve.
5) Assemble the collection system by assembling the downspout elbow. Connect it by putting the barrel on the platform, so that the hole in the lid fits with the downspout so that the water flows into the barrel. Cut the channel with a saw, fixing the downspout with screws and making sure they are tight. Remember that the elbow must end inside the barrel; it’s not enough that I stay on top of it.
Attach the barrel to the elbow by using the saw to cut a hole in the top of the barrel so that the edge of the elbow is inside. Finally, make a small filter with the mosquito net, to filter the excess soil that is on the roof.
If you put more barrels, you can connect them through the drain valve, but the second barrel will need a third hole to function as a drain, and so on. This must be done with the drill at the height of the exhaust valve, following the steps above to color the key: placing sealant in the hole, then the hose adapter, two washers and Teflon tape to adjust. Then you can connect the barrels together with a hose, which you can buy by the meter at any hardware store, or with thin PVC tubes, so that the liquid is distributed.
With this video made by the SODIMAC youtube channel you can guide yourself visually to make the water collector:
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