CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE RAINWATER FOR HARVESTING

To solve numericals related to the calculation of available rainwater for harvesting, we need to
use the formula:

Volume of Rainwater=Roof Area×Rainfall×Runoff Coefficient

Where:

 Roof Area is the area of the roof or surface where rainwater is collected (in square
meters).

 Rainfall is the average rainfall for the area (in millimeters or meters).

 Runoff Coefficient is a factor that accounts for the efficiency of water collection, usually
ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 depending on the surface. For example, a concrete surface would
have a higher coefficient than a grassy or permeable surface.

Let’s work through an example.

Example 1:

Problem:

A house has a roof area of 120 square meters. The average annual rainfall in the area is 1000
mm. Assuming the runoff coefficient is 0.85, calculate the amount of rainwater available for
harvesting annually.

Solution:

Given:

 Roof Area = 120 m²

 Rainfall = 1000 mm = 1 m (since 1000 mm = 1 meter)

 Runoff Coefficient = 0.85

Now, applying the formula:

Volume of Rainwater=Roof Area×Rainfall×Runoff Coefficient Volume of Rainwater=120 m2×1

m×0.85

Volume of Rainwater=102m3

So, the total volume of rainwater available for harvesting annually is 102 cubic meters.
Example 2:

Problem:

A building with a roof area of 250 m² receives an average annual rainfall of 1200 mm. The runoff
coefficient is assumed to be 0.9. Calculate the amount of rainwater that can be harvested in one
year.

Solution:

Given:

 Roof Area = 250 m²

 Rainfall = 1200 mm = 1.2 meters

 Runoff Coefficient = 0.9

Now, applying the formula:

Volume of Rainwater=250 m2×1.2 m×0.9

Volume of Rainwater=270 m3

So, the total volume of rainwater available for harvesting annually is 270 cubic meters.

Example 3:

Problem:

A school building has a roof area of 500 m², and the area receives an average rainfall of 800 mm
annually. The runoff coefficient for the roof is 0.75. Calculate the available rainwater for
harvesting.

Solution:

Given:

 Roof Area = 500 m²

 Rainfall = 800 mm = 0.8 meters

 Runoff Coefficient = 0.75

Using the formula:

Volume of Rainwater=500 m2×0.8 m×0.

Volume of Rainwater=300 m3

Thus, the total volume of rainwater available for harvesting annually is 300 cubic meters.

Important Notes:

 Ensure you convert rainfall from mm to meters when calculating (since 1000 mm = 1
meter).

 The runoff coefficient varies depending on the surface type. A higher coefficient is used
for non-permeable surfaces like concrete, and lower values are used for permeable
surfaces like soil or grass.

If you'd like more examples or have a specific scenario, feel free to ask!
Example 1:

Given:

 Catchment area = 200 m²

 Average annual rainfall = 800 mm (0.8 meters)

 Runoff coefficient = 0.8

Solution:

1. Convert rainfall to meters:

R=800 mm=0.8 mR = 800 \, \text{mm} = 0.8 \, \text{m}R=800mm=0.8m

2. Now, use the formula:

Volume of Rainwater=A×R× C

Volume of Rainwater=200 m²×0.8 m×0.8

Volume of Rainwater=128 m³

So, the available rainwater for harvesting would be 128 cubic meters.

Example 2:

Given:

 Catchment area = 500 m²

 Monthly rainfall = 100 mm (0.1 meters)

 Runoff coefficient = 0.75

Solution:

1. Convert the rainfall to meters:

R=100 mm=0.1 m

2. Now, calculate the volume:

Volume of Rainwater=A×R×C

Volume of Rainwater=500m²×0.1m×0.75

Volume of Rainwater=37.5 m³

Thus, the available rainwater for harvesting in that month would be 37.5 cubic meters.
 DESIGNING OF RAINWATER HARVESTING STRUCTURE

Designing and drawing rainwater harvesting structures involves several key steps, from
determining the roof area to be used for collection to designing the storage and distribution
system. Below are some basic numericals to help you understand the calculations involved in
designing a rainwater harvesting system:

1. Determining the Roof Catchment Area

The first step in designing a rainwater harvesting system is to calculate the catchment area,
which is usually the roof area. This is the surface from which rainwater will be collected.

Formula:

Catchment Area (A)=Length×Width (in square meters)

Example: If the roof of a house is 10 meters long and 8 meters wide, then:

A=10 m×8 m=80 m2

The catchment area is 80 m².

2. Rainwater Yield Calculation

The rainwater yield is the amount of water that can be harvested from the roof, based on the
rainfall intensity and the catchment area. To calculate this, we use the following formula:

Rainwater Yield (V)=Catchment Area (A)×Rainfall (R)×Runoff Coefficient (C)

Where:

 A is the catchment area (in square meters),

 R is the rainfall in meters (total annual rainfall or rainfall per event),

 C is the runoff coefficient (which accounts for the losses during collection, like the
material of the roof, slope, etc.).

For typical concrete or tiled roofs, the runoff coefficient is generally taken as 0.8 to 0.9.

Example: Suppose the annual rainfall in a region is 1,200 mm (1.2 meters), and the runoff
coefficient is 0.85. If the catchment area is 80 m², then:

V=80 m2×1.2 m×0.85

V=81.6m3
The total annual rainwater yield is 81.6 m³.

3. Designing the Storage Tank

The next step is to design a storage tank for the collected rainwater. The size of the storage tank
depends on the yield and the water requirements.

Formula for tank capacity:

Tank Capacity=Daily Water Demand×Number of Days of Storage

Example: If the daily water requirement of a household is 200 liters per day, and you want the
tank to store enough water for 7 days, then:

Tank Capacity=200 liters/day×7 days=1400 liters=1.4 m3

The storage tank should have a capacity of 1.4 m³.

4. Calculating the Pipe Size for Flow

To design the pipes for the rainwater harvesting system, the size of the pipes depends on the
flow rate, which is influenced by the catchment area, rainfall intensity, and the desired time to
drain the tank.

Formula for flow rate (Q):

Q=A×R×CQ = A \times R \times CQ=A×R×C

Where:

 A is the catchment area,

 R is the rainfall intensity (in m/s),

 C is the runoff coefficient.

For example, if the intensity of rainfall is 10 mm/hour (0.01 m/hour), then the flow rate can be
calculated for the catchment area.

5. Gutter and Downspout Sizing

The gutters and downspouts must be large enough to handle the volume of rainwater collected.
A common guideline for sizing gutters is to have 1.5 to 2.0 cm² of cross-sectional area for every
10 liters of rainwater per minute.

Example: For a rainwater collection system where the runoff is 100 liters per minute:

Gutter Size=100 liters/min10×2 cm2=20 cm2

The gutter should have a cross-sectional area of 20 cm² to handle this volume.

6. First Flush System Design

A first flush system is designed to divert the initial dirty rainwater from the roof to ensure that
the stored water is clean. The size of the first flush system typically depends on the catchment
area.

Formula for first flush volume:

First Flush Volume=Catchment Area × Rainfall Depth × First Flush Factor

For example, if the catchment area is 80 m², rainfall depth is 1.2 m, and the first flush factor is
0.1:

First Flush Volume=80 m2×1.2 m×0.1=9.6 m3

The volume of water to be diverted in the first flush is 9.6 m³.

Summary of Design Process:

1. Calculate catchment area based on the roof dimensions.

2. Estimate rainwater yield based on local rainfall data and runoff coefficient.

3. Design the storage tank based on daily water usage and desired storage days.

4. Size gutters and downspouts to accommodate the collected water volume.

5. Install first flush systems to prevent dirty water from entering the storage tank.

Each step involves considering the local climate, the materials used in the construction of the
roof, and the water requirements of the household or establishment. Would you like to focus on
any specific part of the design or need further clarification?
Designing a rainwater harvesting system involves understanding several key components,
including the catchment area, conveyance system, storage tank, and filtration system. Below are
some solved examples for different types of rainwater harvesting systems, each designed for
specific applications.

Example 1: Household Roof Rainwater Harvesting System

 Objective: Collect rainwater from a house's roof to supply water for non-potable uses
like gardening, washing, and cleaning.

Step-by-Step Design Process:

1. Catchment Area:

o Roof Area: Assume the roof area is 100 m².

o Rainfall: Assume average annual rainfall is 800 mm (0.8 meters).

Volume of Rainwater Collected:

Rainwater Collected=Catchment Area×Rainfall=100 m2×0.8 m=80 m3

This is the total volume of rainwater that can potentially be collected annually.

2. Conveyance System:

o Gutters and Downspouts: Use PVC pipes or aluminum gutters to channel the
water from the roof to the storage tank.

o Pipe Diameter: Based on the rainfall intensity, select the appropriate pipe
diameter. For example, for a rainfall intensity of 50 mm/hour, a 100 mm diameter
pipe may suffice.

3. Storage Tank:

o Tank Capacity: Depending on daily water consumption, select an appropriate size

for the storage tank. If daily consumption is 150 liters, the monthly demand will
be:

Monthly Consumption=150 liters/day×30 days=4500 liters=4.5 m3

o Design Tank Size: To meet one month’s demand, choose a 5 m³ tank, but it can
be larger to store excess water during periods of heavy rain.

4. Filtration System:

o Install a first flush diverter to discard the initial dirty water.

 o Install a sand filter or activated carbon filter at the inlet to ensure clean water is
stored in the tank.

5. Overflow Mechanism:

o The tank should have an overflow outlet to avoid overflow during heavy rains.

Example 2: Rainwater Harvesting for a Community Center

 Objective: Provide a water supply for non-potable uses like toilets, landscaping, and
cleaning in a community center.

Step-by-Step Design Process:

1. Catchment Area:

o Roof Area: Assume the roof area of the community center is 500 m².

o Rainfall: Assume average annual rainfall is 1000 mm (1 meter).

Volume of Rainwater Collected:

Rainwater Collected=Catchment Area×Rainfall=500 m2×1 m=500 m3

This is the total volume of rainwater that can potentially be collected annually.

2. Conveyance System:

o Install gutters around the roof perimeter to channel water into downspouts
leading to the storage tanks.

o Pipe Size: For an area this large, larger pipes (200 mm diameter) are
recommended.

3. Storage Tank:

o Daily Water Consumption: Assume the center uses 2000 liters per day for toilets
and gardening.

o Monthly Consumption:

Monthly Consumption=2000 liters/day×30 days=60,000 liters=60 m3

o Design Tank Size: Based on consumption, select a 70 m³ tank to store enough

water for one month, with additional capacity to store water during wet months.

4. Filtration System:
 o Install a multi-stage filtration system (sand filter, activated carbon filter, and UV
treatment) for water purification.

5. Overflow Mechanism:

o The tank should have an overflow outlet that channels excess water back to a
stormwater drainage system or to a nearby garden.

Example 3: Agricultural Rainwater Harvesting for Irrigation

 Objective: Use rainwater for irrigating crops in a farm.

Step-by-Step Design Process:

1. Catchment Area:

o Roof Area of Barns/Sheds: Assume the total catchment area from the roofs of
agricultural buildings is 2000 m².

o Rainfall: Assume average annual rainfall is 1200 mm (1.2 meters).

Volume of Rainwater Collected:

Rainwater Collected=Catchment Area×Rainfall=2000 m2×1.2 m=2400 m3

This is the total volume of rainwater that can potentially be collected annually.

2. Conveyance System:

o Use guttering and downspouts to channel the rainwater to a collection pond or

large holding tanks.

o Pipe Size: Use larger diameter pipes (300 mm) to handle the volume of water
from such a large area.

3. Storage Tank:

o Irrigation Demand: Assume irrigation needs are 5000 liters per day for the crops.

o Monthly Consumption:

Monthly Consumption=5000 liters/day×30 days=150,000 liters=150 m3

o Design Tank Size: A 200 m³ pond can be used to store rainwater and provide
irrigation during dry periods.

4. Filtration System:
 o Pre-filtration: Use a simple mesh filter to remove large debris from the collected
rainwater before it enters the storage tank or pond.

o No advanced filtration is necessary for irrigation purposes.

5. Overflow Mechanism:

o The pond or tank should have an overflow outlet to direct excess water to the
surrounding land or back into a stormwater drainage system.

Summary of Key Elements in All Designs:

 Catchment Area: Roof or land surface where rainwater is collected.

 Conveyance System: Gutters, downspouts, and pipes that direct rainwater to storage.

 Storage: Tanks, ponds, or cisterns to store rainwater.

 Filtration: Systems to clean and purify water before use.

 Overflow: Mechanisms to handle excess rainwater during heavy rain events.

These examples illustrate basic designs for various applications, but actual designs will vary
depending on factors like local rainfall patterns, water demand, available space, and budget.

PREVIOUS YEAR QP NUMERICAL

The drainage area (catchment area ) of an area is 12 hectares. the classification of the surface
area of this is as follows % of total surface area Type of surface Coefficient of runoff 20% Hard
pavement 0.85 20% Roof surface 0.8 15% Unpaved street 0.2 30% Garden and lawri 0.2 15%
Forest 0.15 If the time of concentration of rain fall is 30 minutes, Calculate the quantity of runoff
rainwater

To calculate the quantity of runoff, we use the Rational Method:

Q=0.00278 C I AQ = 0.00278 \, C \, I \, AQ=0.00278CIA

Where:

 Q = Runoff (m³/s)

 C = Weighted runoff coefficient

 I = Rainfall intensity (mm/hr)

 A = Area (hectares)
Step 1: Calculate Weighted Runoff Coefficient (C)

C=∑(Ci×Area fraction)

Surface Type % Area Runoff Coefficient Product

Hard pavement 20% 0.85 0.20 × 0.85 = 0.17

Roof surface 20% 0.80 0.20 × 0.80 = 0.16

Unpaved street 15% 0.20 0.15 × 0.20 = 0.03

Garden & lawn 30% 0.20 0.30 × 0.20 = 0.06

Forest 15% 0.15 0.15 × 0.15 = 0.0225

C=0.17+0.16+0.03+0.06+0.0225

C=0.4425

Step 2: Apply Rational Formula

Given:
Area A=12 hectares
Time of concentration = 30 min

For a 30-minute storm, standard design rainfall intensity (if not given) is commonly taken as 50
mm/hr (assumed, since intensity is not provided).

Q=0.00278×0.4425×50×12

Q=0.00278×265.5

Q = 0.738

Final Answer:

Q≈0.74 m³/s