With dramatic climate changes and global warming staring at mankind in the face, it is imperative to create ways to encourage water conservation. New building rules require a rain-harvesting system to be installed in every new building constructed. Rainwater runoff from the roof as well as ground surfaces are used to recharge the water table as well as routed into tanks for purposes of gardening, washing cars, flushing toilets, etc.

Some benefits of rainwater harvesting include:

• Less dependence on groundwater
• Chlorine-free rainwater is excellent for gardening purposes
• It can be used to recharge the depleting groundwater table
• Prevents flooding of roads and overflowing manholes
• An eco-friendly sustainable way of compensating for water shortage

Interestingly, rainwater harvesting is an ancient practice that has been in use by our ancestors since time immemorial. Rainwater saved this way was used during dry spells for feeding cattle as well as for irrigation purposes. This practice is still useful in the current era of depleting water resources.

An increasing urban and suburban population has overburdened potable water supply in most cities. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is an excellent solution for supplementing water needs in such a scenario. Through a network of drainage pipes and gutters, the overflowing rainwater is directed into tanks or pits at ground level. Pipes should be wide enough for the catchment of the heaviest rainfalls in your area. The rainwater can then be used for outdoor needs or for recharging the groundwater table. Some builders further install a filtration system to remove contaminants from the rainwater. To keep this filtration system working smoothly, the rooftop has to be kept clean along with frequent unclogging of the filtration system. Most apartment dwellers have a welfare committee that takes care of such maintenance issues. The filtered water is then redirected to overhead tanks for storage and further use.

Rooftop rainwater harvesting is the most effective way of collecting rainwater in apartments. It’s an eco-friendly, green way of lower dependence on groundwater and use of energy. Over the years, there have been improvements in this technology for capturing, storage and reuse of rainwater.

When buying an apartment, do ensure it has a rainwater harvesting system in place too.