Rainwater

Construction of rainwater installation: from clouds to washing.

1. Production in the atmosphere

Clouds are the beginning of rain. In the Netherlands there are enough clouds. The map (which you can also enlarge) in the upper left corner, shows a situation, that occurs frequently. The distribution of the air pressure brings lots of disturbances from the ocean to Western Europe. The map also shows blue and red lines, which indicate the cold and warm fronts. The figure here above shows a three-dimensional picture of the front lines. It shows clearly that warm and cold current of air strongly influences the formation of clouds and thereby rain. Whether and how much rain will drop out of a disturbance or depression depends on the level of humidity of the air. Since the existence of our watery area, it rains more often in the Netherlands than in the Sahara. The map at the left hand side and the photo at the right hand side have different data sources but show nevertheless a lot of similarities. At the same time the differences in temperature of the water and land near our country have a strong influence. Wooded areas cause in summer extra instability. Even connected buildings like cities cause strong upward air currents during sunny weather in summer. The strong upward air current will mean that thunderstorms can easily arise. The satellite photo above presents the bank of clouds above England and Central Europe.

2. Relief by roofs and storage before filtering

Before processing rainwater one should take care of a good relief. A roof for the relief out of the air is mostly already there, just like the drainpipes. Here in the Netherlands it only happens once in a while during summer that the supply popes are not sufficient. This is a pity, but placing buffer asks for a lot of space and investment. Using rainwater to water the garden is not ideal, while this was originally my intention. Later it became clear to me that rainwater can be used for more purposes!

The cistern here at the left is a volume buffer and filter installation at the same time. The water arrives by pipes and drainpipes in this cistern. When it is raining very hard dirt comes along from the roof but this can sink to the bottom.
Protection against overflow.
At the same time it is great fun for children to operate the pump while it is only pumping up pure rainwater. The picture at the right side shows you how the filters are positioned. A float takes these filters up so that not too much dirt falls on top of the filters. If you want to have a look at the filters, you can click here.

3. Filtering rainwater

The drawing at the right hand side shows you the filters. Filtering occurs from outside to inside; the layer of foam rubber protects from dirt, visible to the naked eye. On the separation of the wire gauze of an insect screen and the compressed filter clothe almost from the rainwater. Only bacterium will come to the inner part. For this reason the filtered rainwater is not suitable for consumption. The rough rainwater will actually be drawn through the different layers by siphoning. The problem is that in summer during long, dry periods, air comes in the center. Like this the siphon won't operate anymore, while no water should stay in the cistern. During warm weather this water will decay.

4. Storage of the filtered water

Particularly to continue the use of rainwater during summer, a cellar of considerable size is needed. The cellar can store about 6.000 litres and is constructed in 1978. Both reservoirs are underground because at low temperatures possible bacterium will certainly not increase. Rain-, and drink water are two different systems. The volume shows always the amount of water on stock.

5. Distribution

The rainwater circuit is operated electronically by this little centrifugal pump. The pump uses less than 1 kWh per 2000 litre water. The pump stops and starts automatically by the water pressure switch. The switch is adjusted to 1,5 - 2,6 atm. A hydrofoor takes in the meantime care of enough volume, which will be provided of air by this little compressor. Since the installation serves machines, which can not deal too long without water, there is a manometer.

7. This is what rainwater is being used for:

First for the wash: rainwater doesn't contain calcium so the heating elements remain as new. Besides this has an energy saving effect, since one can wash at lower temperatures. The soft water and its high oxygen content of the water makes it possible to use less soap, what is another energy saving effect.

Of course also for toilets, since a bacterium more does not make a difference. By the way, did you ever drink out of a toilet?

For potplants, as well inside as outside, one uses always rainwater, since they just grow much better. Probably because of the soft water and the high oxygen content of the water, which doesn't know air pollution. For lack of sufficient rainwater first the toilets are switched over to tap water and only if the worst comes to the worst the washing machine, the flowers and the plants.

Even the pets prefer drinking rainwater. Therefore the little dish next to the watering can, even though this little dish stands under the wrong tap as the watering can was just being filled.

The car is always being washed with rainwater, except for in summer when there is a shortage. But in any case the rinsing takes place with rainwater. Reason: we can simply leave the car to dry in the sun so there is no need for rubbing dry anymore! Hereby white droplets can not be spotted.

The little greenhouse also has a connection to streaming rainwater, but actually everything here is already growing against the roof!

Conclusion: the possibilities are innumerable, but ………

the construction has been done as a hobby, and great pleasure has been taken in it but if on the other hand this all has to be done by third parties 1000 litres of rainwater cost somewhat more than ½ kilowatt-hour.

Thank you very much for your interest.


Clouds are the beginning of rain. In the Netherlands there are enough clouds. The map (which you can also enlarge) in the upper left corner, shows a situation, that occurs frequently. The distribution of the air pressure brings lots of disturbances from the ocean to Western Europe. The map also shows blue and red lines, which indicate the cold and warm fronts.	The figure here above shows a three-dimensional picture of the front lines. It shows clearly that warm and cold current of air strongly influences the formation of clouds and thereby rain. Whether and how much rain will drop out of a disturbance or depression depends on the level of humidity of the air. Since the existence of our watery area, it rains more often in the Netherlands than in the Sahara. The map at the left hand side and the photo at the right hand side have different data sources but show nevertheless a lot of similarities.	At the same time the differences in temperature of the water and land near our country have a strong influence. Wooded areas cause in summer extra instability. Even connected buildings like cities cause strong upward air currents during sunny weather in summer. The strong upward air current will mean that thunderstorms can easily arise. The satellite photo above presents the bank of clouds above England and Central Europe.


The rainwater circuit is operated electronically by this little centrifugal pump. The pump uses less than 1 kWh per 2000 litre water.	The pump stops and starts automatically by the water pressure switch. The switch is adjusted to 1,5 - 2,6 atm.	A hydrofoor takes in the meantime care of enough volume, which will be provided of air by this little compressor.	Since the installation serves machines, which can not deal too long without water, there is a manometer.

	First for the wash: rainwater doesn't contain calcium so the heating elements remain as new. Besides this has an energy saving effect, since one can wash at lower temperatures. The soft water and its high oxygen content of the water makes it possible to use less soap, what is another energy saving effect.
	Of course also for toilets, since a bacterium more does not make a difference. By the way, did you ever drink out of a toilet?
	For potplants, as well inside as outside, one uses always rainwater, since they just grow much better. Probably because of the soft water and the high oxygen content of the water, which doesn't know air pollution. For lack of sufficient rainwater first the toilets are switched over to tap water and only if the worst comes to the worst the washing machine, the flowers and the plants.
	Even the pets prefer drinking rainwater. Therefore the little dish next to the watering can, even though this little dish stands under the wrong tap as the watering can was just being filled.
	The car is always being washed with rainwater, except for in summer when there is a shortage. But in any case the rinsing takes place with rainwater. Reason: we can simply leave the car to dry in the sun so there is no need for rubbing dry anymore! Hereby white droplets can not be spotted.
	The little greenhouse also has a connection to streaming rainwater, but actually everything here is already growing against the roof!