Rain water harvesting is simply collecting, storing and purifying the naturally soft and pure rainfall that falls upon your roof. Rainwater may be utilized for both potable and non-potable requirements such as drinking, cooking, bathing (potable quality), swimming pool replenishment, toilet flushing laundry (reduces detergent & bleach), landscape irrigation and livestock & animals.
Rainwater harvesting is the sustainable supply option. Rainwater can be utilized alone or together with other supply sources in residential, commercial and industrial projects where pure water is desired.
Rain Water Harvesting is most suitable where …
- groundwater is scarce
- groundwater is contaminated
- terrain is rugged or mountainous
- seismic & flooding events are common
- the aquifer is at risk of saltwater intrusion
- population density is low
- electricity & water prices are rising
- water is too hard or mineral laden
- consumers must restrict salt/chlorine intake
- where utility service is unreliable
… and where … - conservation is an objective
Practical Advantages of RWH
- Availability not subject to outside utility control
- Not subject to pipelines interruption (seismic)
- Quality is controlled by the consumer
- Available even when power is interrupted
- Reduces run-off and erosion
- Available even when storms & disaster strike
- Available immediately for fire suppression
- Reduces mosquito breeding grounds (Dengue Fever, Malaria)
- Thermal mass can naturally cool buildings
- Ideal for people on low sodium diets or with health concerns (weakened immunity systems)
Qualitative Advantage of RWH
- naturally pure
- naturally soft (no dissolved minerals)
- free for those who collect it
- sustainable
- free of chlorine and its byproducts
- free of pesticides and other man-made contaminants
Source: Agua Solutions
Water shortages caused by human mismanagement are common in South Africa. Recently, many residents in White River town (Mpumalanga) were cut off from municipal water supply for up to 36 hours due to a negligent municipal worker. This is where people with rainwater tanks were able to get through this period without discomfort. Municipal water is laced with chlorine and other chemicals- all absorbed into the body while showering or bathing. Rainwater is perfect for bathing as it is pure. Water Rhapsody’s Grand Opus rainwater harvesting 
system integrates with your municipal or borehole water supply so that if your stored rain water is depleted, the alternative water supply is automatically selected (no manual switching or tap turning required). Our standard rainwater system is not fitted with a filtration system but if you want to drink the rainwater then a suitable filtration system is recommended. In areas such as Hoedspruit and Kruger National Park where the groundwater is ‘hard’, it would be much more practical to filter rain water for drinking than to spend substantial amounts of money trying to ‘soften’ and purify borehole water. Water tanks for storing rain water can be connected in series if the roof surface area warrants the extra water tank storage capacity.
