Rain Water Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is not a new concept. Dams and other water runoff mechanisms have been around since the time of the Romans and Egytians.
A sophisticated rainwater storage and collection system was discovered on the island of Crete (1700 B.C.). The advent of new construction materials such as lime and clay bricks, gave way to the development of arches and domes. This adavce in materials led to the devleopment of various harvesting techniques and inventions . The Romans were known for Rainwater harvesting and their use of reservoirs.
In addition the Romans began to put covers over the stored water, which is also known as a Cistern. As population around the Mediterranean grew, the limited water resources in these dry regions spawned a culture of rain water harvesting. This is why many many of the ancient rain water cisterns are found on the islands of Capri and Malta, Spain , Turkey , Lebanon and Sicily .
Roman Rainwater harvesting for housing, served a double purpose. The evaporation of the water in the pools improved the microclimate through its air-conditioning effect, and the water was used for domestic purposes. Growing populations and increased density also caused the consumption of water to increase. In an effort to conserve more water , Romans began to cover their cisterns.
This had two major advantages:
- The amount of water which could be stored increased considerably and evaporation losses were reduced.
- Cisterns served as a protection against pollution of the water.
In a typical Roman house All the Rainwater from the roofs flowed into the pools( typically in the atrium ) and the overflow drained into the cisterns. At this time Rainwater catchment techniques were decentralized. Another reason why Harvesting lost momentum, with the increasing consumption and the development of a centralized supply from springs channelled into the urban areas.
Although Rainwater harvesting and storage in closed cisterns were never used again to the same extent as in ancient Rome, they were occasionally employed where circumstances demanded an appropriate technology. This happened in semi-desert areas where people wanted to build homes without springs or wells in the vicinity.
The technique disappeared with increasing urbanization. It can be assumed that the technical means available during the industrial age, the need for supplies of large amounts of water for industry, the high standard of water hygiene achieved through central treatment and safe supply via pipes are all reasons for the reduced use of Rainwater harvesting.
- Today the consumption of water is not only based on need, but very much influenced by the convenience of access. It can be observed everywhere that water wastage is the rule rather than the exception. This is based on an economy which has made one source of life a commodity of consumption and represents the contradiction between the need for careful management of world resources and an economy based on permanent expansion. However' in general there can be no doubt that there is no alternative to a centralized water supply in urban areas nowadays.
Rainwater harvesting is gaining importance again, this time in rural areas and especially so in many developing countries. Products like the Rainwater Hog offer an alternative for developed areas to easily harvest rain water in a slimline tank which fits the small footprint of many high density urban areas.
The present situation in developing countries demands the utilization and development of all possible sources to ensure the supply of water. Are you ready to be part of the solution ? See our water tanks for sale