Do's and Don’ts

Harvested rainwater is used for direct usage or for recharging aquifers. It is most important to ensure that the rainwater caught is free from pollutants. Following precautionary measures should be taken while harvesting rainwater:-

• Roof or terraces uses for harvesting should be clean, free from dust, algal plants etc.

• Roof should not be painted since most paints contain toxic substances and may peel off.

• Do not store chemicals, rusting iron, manure or detergent on the roof.

• Nesting of birds on the roof should be prevented.

• Terraces should not be used for toilets either by human beings or by pets.

• Provide gratings at mouth of each drainpipe on terraces to trap leaves debris and floating materials.

• Provision of first rain separator should be made to flush off first rains.

• Do not use polluted water to recharge ground water.

• Ground water should only be recharged by rainwater.

• Before recharging, suitable arrangements of filtering should be provided.

• Filter media should be cleaned before every monsoon season.

• During rainy season, the whole system (roof catchment, pipes, screens, first flush, filters, tanks) should be checked before and after each rain and preferably cleaned after every dry period exceeding a month.

At the end of the dry season and just before the first shower of rain is anticipated, the storage tank should be scrubbed and flushed off all sediments and debris.