TYPES OF RWH TANKS: CYLINDRICAL & RECTANGULAR

Rectangular RWH tanks are built in rocky places whereas cylindrical tanks are built in sandy areas and places where there are less stones.

MATERIALS USED FOR CONSTRUCTING RWH TANKS

CYLINDRICAL RWH TANKS Rods, cement, sand, stone slabs, concrete and bricks are usually used for construction. In Rajasthan, stone slabs are used to cover the tank roof. In case, stone slabs are not available then one has to construct out of RCC- Rod, cement and concrete. Ratio of Cement: Concrete: Sand is 1:4:3

RECTANGULAR RWH TANKS Stone/ bricks, cement, sand and stone slabs. Ratio of Cement: Sand is 1:6.

PARTS OF A RAINWATER HARVESTING STRUCTURE

Roof top catchment area Pipe connecting roof top with tank for RWH

Handpump Underground RWH water tank

Lid
Sedimentation tank

A roof typically consists of a lid, a handpump, 2 cross ventilation windows, an overflow pipe, inlet pipe and a sedimentation tank.

PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION: SITE SELECTION

The appropriate RWH structure, its dimension, location and capacity are decided on the basis of: The extent of the catchment area The rainfall data in the area The number of users of the facility
NOTE: The site for constructing an RWH tank must have a roof top catchment area.

HOW TO DECIDE ON DIMENSIONS

Before digging, one must decide on shape and dimension of the tank. The dimension of a tank with the capacity to hold 100,000 litres is decided on the a) Area available for length b) Area available for width c) Ares available for depth. Formula for calculating capacity in a rectangular tank: length x Width x Depth 1 cubic metre = 1000 litre Formula for calculating capacity in a circular tank: r2 h

For Example: 7.5m x 3.7m x 3.7m = 102.675 cubic meter

102.6 cubic meter= 102675 litres

The thickness of the tank wall should be 38 centimeters. Therefore, the dimensions for digging (including wall thickness) will be 7.88m x 4.08m x 4.08m

PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION: DIGGING

Dig the ground based on pre-decided measurements. The walls should be flat and straight. Digging should not be done during rains. The tank should be constructed at least one metre away from the foundation wall of the catchment area. The tank should be located towards the outlet pipe of the roof top.

CONSTRUCTION

The wall can be constructed with stones or bricks. A mixture of cement and sand, in the ratio of 1:6, is mixed with water and used as binder on stone or bricks. The wall thickness should be 38cm, including 3cm of plaster. The wall should start 30-45cm above ground level. Create 2 windows for cross ventilation on one side of the wall. This should be cover with a metallic mesh. Each can be 30cm x 30cm. Keep an outlet pipe for over flow just below the level of cross ventilators. NOTE: A tank of 100,000 litres needs partition wall in the middle for structural stability and support. The same should also be a thickness of 38cm.

A brick wall of 30cm should be constructed INSIDE the tank to store 10,000 litres out of the 100,000 litres tank. This tank can be filled with water tanks during dry months. Leave a passage for overflow from the 10,000 litres part. Overflow can take place once rainwater is collected. The lid, handpump, inlet pipe and sedimentation tank should be connected to the 10,000 litres part of the tank. Handpump should be located on the outer side. Lid should be located on the building side.

Passage for overflow

Location of lid Location of handpump

CONSTRUCTION

For the bottom: The bottom most layer should be 15cm of boulders, then 8cm should be a mixture of cement, concrete and sand in the ratio of 1:4:3. The bottom should plastered with 8cm of cement and sand mixed in water in the ratio of 1:4.

PLASTERING

The plastering mixture is made of cement and sand in water in ratio of 1:4. On the walls the plaster needs to be 3 cm and at the bottom of 8cm. The entire tank must be plastered on the same day, or else the tank will risk leakage. After plastering, sprinkle generous amount of water, twice a day for four days. On the fifth day the tank should be filled with water.

CONSTRUCTION TANK CLEANING THE

Steps can be created inside the tank for cleaning purpose. Persons can enter through the lid. RWH tanks should be cleaned at least 2-3 times a year. It can be cleaned once when there is very little water, once before monsoons, or when it is observed to be dirty. NOTE: Keep the bottom of the tank wet to avoid cracks

CONSTRUCTING THE ROOF

Cover the top with stone slabs. Keep the gap between slabs as little as possible. Fill the gaps with smaller stones. Cut a square of 45cm x 45cm between two stone slabs for the lid and a round with the diameter of 10cm for the handpump.

CONSTRUCTING THE ROOF

Cover the stones with 8cm of water and cement, concrete and sand in the ratio of 1:4:3. Then plaster it with 3cm of cement and sand mixed in water in the ratio of 1:4. Place a metallic lid on the tank roof. After plastering, sprinkle generous amount of water, twice a day for seven days. Install the handpump after 7 days.

TANK WALLS MADE OF ROD, CEMENT & CONCRETE (RCC)

While constructing the walls of the tank, rods should be placed vertically and horizontally. The rods placed vertically should have 10mm size diameter, and those placed horizontally should have 6-8mm size diameter. The spacing between rods should be 1 feet, this spacing is the same for both horizontally and vertically placed rods.

BOTTOM OF TANK MADE OF RCC

While constructing the bottom of the tank, rods should be placed vertically and horizontally. The rods placed vertically should have 8mm size diameter with 9 inch spacing between rods. The rods placed horizontally should have 6mm size diameter, also with 9 inches between each rod

ROOFING MADE OF RCC

The roof of RWH tank should be the same thickness as the walls (15 to 18 cm). The roofing should have rods places horizontally- some placed parallel to the length of the tank, and some placed parallel to the width. Rods should be placed such that if you look down at the roof from above, you see a grid pattern of rods. The rods placed parallel to the length should be 10mm size diameter with 8 inch spacing between rods. The rods placed parallel to the width should be 8mm size diameter, also with 8 inches spacing between rods.

CONNECTING ROOF TOPS WITH PIPE

Roof top catchment area can be connected with pipes, bends and T-shaped connectors made of PVC or cement. RWH pipes should be connected to the outlet pipes of roofs. Attach clips to tightly secure the pipes to bends and Tshaped connectors.

Water flowing downstream

All pipes should connected in a way that the water enters the sedimentation tank first. Given the natural flow of water from high to low level, the pipes should be connected in a gentle slope.

CONNECTING ROOFTOPS

PIPES FOR FLAT ROOF

CHANNELS FOR SLANTING ROOF

Each roof top catchment area is connected through pipes or channels to the sedimentation tank. The catchment area should be kept clean to avoid sand, leaves and other impurities

SEDIMENTATION TANK

INLET PIPE GOING TO RWH TANK

OUTLET PIPE Water from the rooftop first passes through a sedimentation tank of 60cm X 60cm X 60cm. The inlet pipe of the underground water tank is connected to the sedimentation tank. Sand and other impurities from the first rain exit from an outlet pipe at the bottom.