Rainwater is an excellent water source for the garden as it is pure, without chemicals and pollution. Rainwater is better than well water. But you can’t just drain down your gutters into a pond or fill up a bucket and take it to the garden. If you want clean rainwater to be used in the garden, you need to filter the water. In this article, we will discuss 8 ways you can filter rainwater.
Sand Filters
The main component of a sand filter is a tank made from plastic or fiberglass, which can be as large as 500 gallons for a family of four. The tank has an inlet pipe on one side and an outlet pipe. Water enters the tank through the inlet pipe and flows downward into a layer of coarse sand and gravel at the bottom of the tank. As it flows through this first layer, the sand particles trap dirt, sediment, and other impurities while beneficial minerals remain in the solution. The water then flows upward through another layer of finer sand, where more dirt and residue are removed before finally exiting through an outlet pipe at the top of the tank.
The amount of time it takes for water to pass through this two-stage filtering system depends on how many stages your filter contains – some have three or more – and how dirty your source water is (cleaner water will require fewer stages). Some homeowners may need to replace their sand every few years because it becomes clogged with mineral deposits from complex water sources; you can dump it out if this happens.
Gravity Filters
In rainwater harvesting, gravity filters are the simplest, least expensive and most effective method for filtering rainwater. Gravity filters use no electricity and require no moving parts or maintenance Gravity filters are simply containers that allow water to fill up and then drain back into the source tank through a filter media. The filter media may be sand or gravel, crushed stone, anthracite coal or any other porous material that will remove contaminants from the water. Compared to other filtration methods such as pressurized or micro-filtration, gravity filters generally produce a better quality of filtered water. They are also much less expensive than reverse osmosis or ultraviolet purification systems.
Activated Charcoal
It’s important to filter your rainwater before using it for drinking and cooking. Rainwater can contain various contaminants, including bacteria, metals, and minerals. It is also essential to remove any chlorine from your water before drinking it. Activated charcoal filters are one of the most effective methods of filtering water. These filters use activated charcoal, which is made from coconut shells or other organic materials that have been treated with oxygen to create a porous surface. The porous nature of the activated charcoal allows it to absorb many substances present in water, such as bacteria, heavy metals and microorganisms.
Berkey water filters
Berkey water filters are one of the best ways to filter rainwater. They are an excellent investment for families who want to use their water instead of buying expensive bottled water. Berkey water filters are made up of a ceramic fiber element and a stainless steel canister. The details have a huge surface area, which allows them to filter out impurities from the water and make it purer and cleaner.
The ceramic fiber element is housed inside a stainless steel canister. The canister is what holds the water while the element filters it. This lets you keep your hand’s free while filling your bottles with clean water. When you buy a Berkey system, you also get an attachment hose that makes filling up your bottles with pure rainwater easier. The attachment hose works by connecting both ends of the hose directly to the spigot on your Berkey system.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
Reverse Osmosis filters are the most effective way to filter rainwater. They are used to remove any impurities from water and can also be used for desalination, water softening and even water treatment. Reverse osmosis is a process that uses high pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane, separating it from substances dissolved in it. These membranes are made of cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate or polyamide. They are skinny but tough enough to withstand the pressure needed to filter water. The basic steps of this process involve passing water through a pre-filtered solution (to remove suspended solids), passing it through an ion exchange resin bed and then passing it through a second pre-filtered solution (to remove any remaining suspended solids). The resulting product is very pure water with very few contaminants left behind.
The BioSand Water Filter
The BioSand Water Filter is a simple and effective way to filter rainwater. It consists of gravel, sand and clay. Water passes through the filter media, where it is cleaned by the beneficial microorganisms that live in the media. The water then flows into a storage tank or cistern. The benefits of using BioSand filters include:
- They are affordable (you can build one yourself or buy one for under $100)
- They require no electricity or chemicals to operate
- They last up to 20 years with proper care
- They require very little maintenance (add new media every few years)
A bio-sand filter will remove 99% of all bacteria, 99% of all protozoa, 99% of all viruses and some heavy metals like lead, copper and mercury.
UV Filtration Method
When it comes to rainwater filtration, a UV filter is the most common and effective method. UV light uses ultraviolet radiation to destroy bacteria and other microorganisms in water. It is a simple method of disinfecting rainwater, which is affordable and easy to maintain. UV filters use ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms in water. The rays penetrate the body of water and destroy any living organisms present inside it. This process is very effective against bacteria and viruses but not against parasites like worms that live in water. The UV filtering system works by exposing the water to ultraviolet light and then letting it pass through a carbon filter before reaching your home or business. The UV bulb produces ultraviolet light rays capable of destroying harmful bacteria from the water supply.
Distillation
Distillation is a method of filtering water that involves boiling water and collecting the vapor. The resulting vapor condenses in a separate container, leaving behind the impurities and contaminants in the water. This process can filter many types of water, including rainwater. Still, it is not always the best option because it requires electricity to run an electric distiller or heat source to boil water.
Wrapping Up
When you know how to filter rainwater you’re ridding it of bulk. Therefore it’s easier to store, transport and treat the remaining water. Instead of tackling the entire job yourself, enlist professional help from a company that can do it for you. For most residential homes, filtering rainwater is generally relatively easy. It doesn’t require much money or know-how. Still, for larger businesses with more complex needs for this service, it will require an experienced rainwater harvesting expert and a substantial investment.
