5 Ways to Keep Unwanted Substances Out of Your Rainwater Tank

When we consider the general purpose of water tanks, we see that they are tools designed to store liquids or food and preserve the stored contents, which can be released and used as needed.

Rainwater harvesting systems are based on a simple concept, but they are crucial for preserving our water. These systems use multiple water tanks depending on their purpose. When we look at underground water tanks, which are expected to be the most challenging to clean, we see that they are perceived this way because they are buried underground. However, according to our designs, these tanks are designed for easy cleaning. This is because the tank inlets are designed to facilitate easy cleaning.

How Are Rainwater Harvesting Systems Installed?

Before discussing the cleaning of tanks connected to these systems, let's briefly talk about the mechanics of these systems. In fact, the system is based on a very simple logic.

There is a rain collection area, usually the roof in homes. The next component is a channel or pipe connected to the rain collection area. To give an example from rainwater harvesting systems installed in homes, we can say that PVC pipes, which are generally connected to the roof and are usually discharged into the street, serve this purpose. Finally, there will be a suitable tank to store the harvested water. In the case of systems installed in homes, you can cut the pipes that discharge into the street to a certain length and transfer the water to a water tank.

In commercial or profit-oriented situations, these systems can reach massive dimensions. By installing these systems in specific points in cities, they can meet the water needs of surrounding houses. These systems are generally designed with architectural features in the form of funnels to facilitate the easy flow of water.

Is Using a Filter Beneficial?

In general, almost all rainwater collection systems have a filter at the point of entry into the tank. The general purpose of this filter is to remove foreign and large objects from the roof or the rain collection area. This way, large foreign materials cannot enter the tank in any way.

If the flow rate of the water coming from the channel into the tank is slow, you can make the filter situation more meticulous by using a filter with narrower filtration capability. However, it's not recommended to drink this water directly. The reason is that especially in cities, particles in the air can stick to the rainwater during rainfall. But you can use this water for watering plants and cleaning areas like a balcony during the initial storage.

Are You Sure You've Placed Your Tank in the Right Location?

The location of the tank is essential. During discharge, you need to channel the water to the desired location using a hose. But at the same time, the pipe should be positioned under the tank to fill it with rainwater. To ensure both are in the right place, this step needs to be carefully thought out. You can solve this by purchasing a long hose or by adjusting the direction of the pipe that acts as a channel a little more. In corporate systems, this step is already considered, so it won't be a big problem.

Are You Sure You've Chosen the Right Tank?

Almost any tank is suitable for these systems. Polyethylene water tanks are the most preferred option for these systems. They are more affordable and offer more design options.

This is why tanks made from polyethylene material are preferred. However, there is one type of tank that you should not use in every situation, and that is the tanks made from stainless steel. This is because these tanks can freeze in the winter due to their material structure. However, this is mostly applicable to individual use, such as in homes. In large-scale corporate projects, these tanks are located indoors, so freezing is not an issue. Because they can have larger capacities and can be assembled on-site, tanks made from stainless steel are particularly preferred.

Did You Know You Can Increase Your Tank's Capacity Later?

Most users are not aware that you can increase the capacity of your tank later. Let's say you bought a tank, and over time, your rainwater harvesting has increased. In other words, changing tanks as they fill up is a tiring and wasteful solution. For this reason, we can increase the tank capacity by making parallel connections between more than one tank, depending on the situation.

How to Regularly Clean Your Tank?

This is one of the essential aspects for both tank health and the health of the harvested rainwater. Even though you use filters, small foreign objects from the roof or the rain collection area will enter your tank. These foreign objects accumulate at the bottom of the tank, resembling sand. So, at this point, it's essential to clean these tanks regularly.

Tanks that are regularly cleaned will not have any sediment or unpleasant odors. It is recommended to clean these tanks at least every 3 to 6 months.

What Are the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting Systems?

First and foremost, the most significant benefit is the positive impact on your water bill. It is almost certain that you will derive a sense of satisfaction from the savings you make, which is our contribution to the world. This issue is essential because scientists predict that major metropolises worldwide will face water shortages.

Istanbul is among the cities that will face water shortages. Some city governments have taken this problem into account and installed rainwater harvesting systems in specific points of the city to meet the water needs of surrounding houses. Although controlling this problem with the continuously growing population is quite challenging, the installation of these systems in cities has pushed back the date of experiencing water shortages.

As we conclude this article, we have provided valuable information about the tanks used in rainwater harvesting. If you want to learn more about rainwater harvesting, you can also check out our other articles on this topic. For any questions about water tanks, you can contact our expert customer representatives.