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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
According to a South African case study, "Small, local solutions can crack water crises"
Before you get started on any project, always be careful to check your local legal codes and policies. Some types of water harvesting are forbidden in certain places for a variety of reasons.
Some water capturing methods may pose a hazard if they overflowed or broke, so proper site investigation and materials should be used.
North America
North America
You may also be interested in reading about:
Learn about which activities use the most water, to develope a plan on curring your own water footprint. In many cases consuming less will have a greater impact than harvesting water, though water collection may be your first step in your water conservation journey.
Basics of Green Roofs
Basics of Green Roofs
This takes every drop of water that lands on a rooftop, directing it to a gutter which can collect it in rain barrels or cisterns for later use. Any overflow can be directed towards water harvesting landscape features such as water gardens, however these features should be at least 3.33 meters (10ft) from any structures and their foundations.
Safety
Safety
How safe is roof-water to drink?
How safe is roof-water to drink?
Rainwater Research in Australia & New Zealand This research shares a lot of information about the basics of how beneficial increased use of collected rain water would help fulfill our water needs, and that as long as the suggested safety measures are followed "You are more likely to contract illness from drinking mains water compared to rainwater." then it explains the main sources of contamination and disease including lack of proper maintenance. "In South Australia, 42% of residents mostly drink rainwater in preference to mains water without any apparent effect on the incidence of gastrointestinal illness (Heyworth et al. 1998)."
Life Expectancy: 40-50 years.
Pro: Captures precipitation that might have otherwise contributed to run off and flooding. Increases biodiversity. Reduces energy costs associated with heating and cooling buildings. Extends roof life. Reduces emissions not just by reducing energy use, but the plants can sequester greenhouse gases.
Con: Relies on precipitation, meaning it may be unreliable in drier climates. Plants need a small amount of care, including occasional trimming, removal/replacement of dead plants, and removal of invasives. Water collected by these roofs may not be appropriate for drinking or other domestic activities.
Solution: People who receive seasonal rain should build ample storage space to help capture as much rain as possible, ensuring more water will be saved for later in the year. They may also want to consider other options such as a well with recharging infrastructure, a grey water system, etc. Special filtration will be needed if people want to drink water collected from green roofs.
Fuel Types: Water Cycle + Gravity
Life Expectancy: 10-25 years, but some components made from certain materials can last 50-100 years. Green Roofs are expected to survive for 40-50 years.
Pro: Captures precipitation that might have otherwise contributed to run off and flooding.
Con: Relies on precipitation, meaning it may be unreliable in drier climates.
Solution: People who receive seasonal rain should build ample storage space to help capture as much rain as possible, ensuring more water will be saved for later in the year. They may also want to consider other options such as a well with recharging infrastructure, a grey water system, etc.
Fuel Types: Water Cycle + Gravity
History of Green Roofs
History of Green Roofs
Historically, sod roofs were lines with birch bark for it's water repellent properties, before sod was applied on top to provide insulation. Green roofs use plants to absorb rain, instead of adding to run off. The plants absorb carbon, provide additional insulation for us, but also provide habitat and food for wildlife.
"Green roofs are being increasingly used in urban areas where space constraints limit the use of other stormwater management practices." - https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/soak-rain-green-roofs
Green roofs need to be installed on roofs pitched at no more than 30°.
These can serve a number of purposes from increasing pollinator or veggie space, to reducing pollution and run off into our water ways. They can even help buildings stay slighter warmer in winter but are better at keeping things cooler in hotter months. According to this source "it is quite common to harvest water from green roofs in Germany and Switzerland." Thought some designs function as zero discharge sites, where "All water is reused within the development, either to irrigate intensive green roofs and landscape at ground level or is used to flush toilets throughout the development."
Green roofs can absorb up to 70% of the water that lands on them. So if you want to harvest drinkable or reusable water, then these may not be the best choice. However they will still preform the other functions just fine, and are a great solution to helping reduce flooding or run off.
According to this article "There are three basic types of green roof: intensive (thick), extensive (thin) and semi-extensive (somewhere in between).
Intensive systems consist of a thick layer of soil (50-200mm+) in which a variety of grasses, herbs, flowers and shrubs can grow. These need to be accessible gardens (for maintenance) and can even be used as a recreation space. They provide a valuable habitat for wildlife but place significant weight on the building and need substantial roof support. They offer good insulation and better water absorption than the thin types, but need a lot of care.
Extensive green roofs are generally made up of a shallow layer (20-100mm) of substrate planted with low-growing, stress-tolerant grasses, mosses and sedum. These lightweight systems require little maintenance. The insulation quality is relatively low and extensive systems always incorporate conventional insulation.
Semi-extensive Systems have slightly greater depth than extensive systems (100-200mm) but constructed on the same principles to allow for a greater diversity of plants. It is also relatively low-maintenance."
Are Single Ply Flat Roofing Membranes Suitable for Use in Green Roof Systems?
BAUDER: Green Roof Systems Brochure (PDF) this shows not only a wide variety of green roof designs, but breaks down different types that are available, the benefits and differences between them, as well as diagrams of different examples of system configuration. For example different mat layers with substrates vs pebbles or paving. There are also examples of the different fixtures such as sky lights, and some of the equipment used to install industrial-sized rolls of grass.
Build a Living Roof / Green Roof Step by step instructions for converting a small, flat, existing roof into a green roof, complete with photos.
Green Rood as a Retrofit Option Case studies of large buildings include the methods they used and why those features were included.
Green Roof Gardens and Green Living Roofs "Green roofs have been constructed for thousands of years, the most famous early example being the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
They have also been used in traditional buildings such as the sod roofs of rural Scandinavia. Experimentation in the earlier part of the 20th Century found that green roofs required special waterproofing, since roots were found to grow into what were typically tar roofs." Article continues explaining modernization in green roofs, and that some roofs don't even use soil in an effort to reduce weight, that they often don't need irrigation, and provides links, photos and a checklist explaining benefits and designs of these roofs.
Green Roofs: The Ultimate Guide this article was quoted above but also includes cost (UK), planting suggestions, suggestions for drainage layers, photos, and other useful information.
How to Create a Simple Low-Cost Green Shed Roof This talks about weight load and which membranes can be used to prevent leaks.
How To Grow Your Own Green Roof Plants "You might be unwilling to spend a lot on expensive green roof plants for your shed roof if this is your first foray into this field. This article shows you how to source plants for your new roof in a low-cost way."
Minnesota Stormwater Manual: Green Roofs Combined This is a massive amount of info with diagrams, photos, comparisons of different roofing types and greenroofs vs natural prairie bluffs, naturally seeded vs gardens planted with plus, as well as progression photos showing how plugs and seeded roofs become lush over time. Planting lists, terminology, drainage info, case studies, performance assessments, etc.
New Green Roof Lab “As things stand, there are a lot of different green roof systems—each with something different to offer. Some can hold back large amounts of rain, while others promote plant and animal life. The problem is that they’re all grouped together. It’s like comparing pears and bananas, which doesn’t work,” a technical sales consultant commented of the reason this lab has been set up at DTU Ballerup Campus, Denmark.
Rainwater Harvesting on Greenroofs? This page has diagrams and a chart, explaining how to harvest drinkable water from green roofs without contamination. The include laws about roofing materials for collecting drinkable water, as well as a caution to only use the collected water for drinking in extreme cases, that it would be better used for irrigation.
In the materials I have found on the topic, it is highly suggested that rooftop water be considered "wild" and should therefor be boiled before drinking.
Complimentary Options
Complimentary Options
Blue Roofs
Blue Roofs
Hydropanels
Hydropanels
These can be set on the ground or on rooftops.
Additional Equipment
Additional Equipment
Rain Barrels/Butts & Cisterns
Rain Barrels/Butts & Cisterns
Life Expectancy: 20 years.
Pro: Safely stores rain or grey water for later use.
Con: An turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, or be contaminated with dead animals that can fall/get trapped inside. I've found dead frogs who might have hatched but not been able to get out. Dead leaves can build up, leaching tannins into the water.
Solution: Install fixtures that will help keep wildlife and leaves out of the system. Make sure to clean these to prevent plugging and backups. Empty and clean out the container periodically.
Fuel Types: Water Cycle + Gravity
Alternative At-Home Water Harvesting Options
Alternative At-Home Water Harvesting Options
Water Recycling
Water Recycling
Grey Water
Grey Water
Simple Greywater Systems For Your Home "A greywater system is used to take water that has already been used from places like your laundry, shower and sink and divert it to use in another purpose like watering gardens or landscaping instead of flushing it down into the sewer. Greywater is different from blackwater (aka sewage) because while it may have some residuals like dirt, hair, grease, etc from it’s first use, they aren’t toxic to the environment and the water can be reused in some applications." When using a grey water system for irrigation, it is important to be very careful in choosing "bath soaps, used homemade shampoos and biodegradable dish soap so as not to damage the soil, plants or watershed." Link talks about legal issues, installation costs, and design elements such as filters.
Toilet to Tap Water Recycling
Toilet to Tap Water Recycling
Toilets can use grey water, function without water, or be a source of water depending on the type you choose, and the infrastructure around it.
Tools & Resources
Tools & Resources
Landscaping Know-How
Landscaping Know-How
This may give ideas for how to capture and redirect water on the land, which can integrate well with rooftop water harvesting.
Greener LAND "This tool helps you decide which landscape interventions are best suited towards landscape restoration for the landscape you operate in. Start by selecting the characteristics of your landscape on your left."
Organizations
Organizations
International
International
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Africa
Africa
Warka Water "Every drop counts" To date they have worked in Ethiopia and Cameroon.
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Asia
Asia
India
India
Rainwater Project "So far, Rainwater Project has restored six historic water structures in Telangana — Kokapet Well, Goshala Well, Kondapur Well, Gachibowli, Baaram Bavi and Bansilalpet Well." "It also offers rainwater harvesting and water conservation consultancy services for individual homes, gated communities, farms, resorts, schools and other institutions." - Kalpana Ramesh: The architect leading restoration of Telangana’s historic stepwells
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
North America
North America
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Mexico
Mexico
Isla Urbana "has designed an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable rainwater harvesting system that collects and cleans rainwater for households, schools, and health clinics.
The system is inexpensive, easy to install, and provides individual residences with about 40% of their annual water supply. If implemented on a large scale throughout Mexico City, this simple technology could provide 30% of the city’s water and help give a sustainable water source to the 12 million Mexicans who lack access to clean water."
USA
USA
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) Offers trainings and accreditation for rainwater installers. They also have a comprehensive list of rainwater resources here.
Arizona
Watershed Management Group (Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona). Offers classes, a “water harvesting coop” and more.
New Mexico
DigDeep "Water-storage barrels with pumps or household rainwater catchment solutions to reduce the reliance on single-use bottled drinking water in Chichiltah, NM, supported by community education around plastic pollution and sustainable alternatives to bottled water."
Virginia
Friends of the Rappahannock "All our efforts work together to achieve our mission to be the voice and active force for a healthy and scenic Rappahannock River."
Oceana
Oceana
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
South America
South America
WASH "curriculum has been developed and integrated in schools (Shikshaniketan, Residential Bridge Schools & Solar Bridge Schools) run by Barefoot College International. Every year, new activities and methods are included which makes learning interactive. Area covered include Water, Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Environment."
Maps
Maps
North America
North America
USA
USA
Stormwater Management and Restoration Tracking (SMART) Tool (Interactive) Tool tracks storm water management practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed which spans, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Western Australia
The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."
Further Reading
Further Reading
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