Rainwater Harvesting: Three Crucial Precautions for Using a Tank on Your Farm

26 April 2019
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Rainwater harvesting can be highly advantageous for your farm. In general, agricultural operations demand high volumes of water for diverse processes, including watering the livestock, irrigation and household applications. If you are not cautious, your water expenses can be astronomical. Moreover, you might experience a lot of stress during times of scarcity. If you have a rainwater tank, you can supplement your water demands. In addition, you will be prepared in case of an unexpected shortage. Here are essential precautions to help your farm get the most out of rainwater tanks.

Consider Local Rainfall

When purchasing a tank, it is important to think about the rainfall data. In simple terms, you should acquire accurate information on the total rainfall in your local region. This information is crucial for choosing a suitable tank for your needs. If the rainfall in your area is low, there is no need to install a large tank which can never be filled. Otherwise, you will have wasted money unnecessarily. On the other hand, if you have a small tank and there is plenty of rain, you will not gain optimal benefits from the collection container. Therefore, evaluate the data carefully before making a decision and buying a tank.

Design the Collection System

You should design your rainwater harvesting system for maximum collection. In general, your harvesting structure will influence the amount of water collected. If your local region experiences heavy rainfall but you choose to use only a single section of your roof for water harvesting, you might not be able to fill your container. Therefore, you should plan a collection design which allows you to take advantage of all your roofing gutters for harvesting water. This will ensure maximum gains even if the total rain per year is not too high.

Install Suitable Filters

When setting up your tank, you must keep in mind that some debris will attempt to flow into your rainwater tank. It is important to protect your tank against waste materials. If foreign materials fall into your tank, they will cause a decline in water quality. For instance, leaves and twigs will rot in the collected water and foul up the liquid. Therefore, you should plan on installing some filters at the inflow points of the container. These elements will screen out debris from your rainwater. You should also plan on keeping your tank closed. Proper coverage with a high-quality lid will protect your store water from external pollution.