Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is commonly employed on zero-lot-line projects like downtown condos. This cast in place concrete vault in one corner of the parking level is a typical design.

This article is about large, building-integrated rainwater harvesting systems featuring underground or indoor cisterns or tanks and intended for year-round use. For smaller, outdoor systems intended for use during the growing season only, see Rain barrels.

Overview

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the ancient practice of collecting and storing precipitation for later use. Although Ontario is a region with relatively abundant fresh water, RWH is increasing in popularity for a number of reasons:

1. The simplicity of selecting and installing a system, owing to improvements in the technology and the development of a local industry,
2. The ease of modelling RWH in a stormwater management (SWM) plan, owing to the fixed size of the catchment and the cistern,
3. Increasing transparency of storm sewer costs in some municipalities, and
4. Increasing utility rates for potable water supply.

Rainwater harvesting tanks can also be implemented underground for either residential or commercial purposes. Photo credit: Make-Way Environmental Technologies Inc.

Take a look at the downloadable Rainwater Harvesting Factsheet below for a .pdf overview of this LID Best Management Practice:

Rainwater harvesting is an ideal technology for:

• Sites which cannot infiltrate water owing to contaminated soils or shallow bedrock,
• Zero-lot-line developments such as condos or dense urban infill, or conversely
• Projects with extensive gardens and landscapes which would benefit from free irrigation water.

The fundamental components of a rainwater harvesting system are:

• the catchment area where the rain lands (e.g. rooftop),
• a screen or filter to remove coarse debris (mostly leaves),
• a cistern which will store the collected rainwater and preserve its quality,
• the connecting pipe network including roof drains.

Additional components may include:

• pumps to lift water to higher elevations, depending on the layout of the components,
• additional water filtration and treatment, depending on the intended use of the water.

Planning Considerations

An above-ground cistern. This system is not frost proof, and would have to be drained and closed during winter.

An above-ground cistern used for sub-surface irrigation. A filter box is included on the roof drain, no further treatment is shown. The overflow is connected to an underground infiltration area.

Place in the Treatment Train

To maximize the volume of water available for reuse, a RWH system is usually located near to the front of a treatment train. i.e. Upstream of other LID technologies. The most common exception would be where a site strategy employs a green roof. A simple warm-weather system may capture all of the rooftop runoff in an external tank above grade and use it for sub-surface irrigation. In this scenario the tank can overflow via gravity to a sub-surface infiltration chamber or a bioretention cell. But, if the tank is located below the ground or inside a building the overflow may need a pump.

Catchments

The origin of the harvested water affects the permissible end uses. Some of the most common uses include irrigation and flushing or toilets and urinals. As mixed source water can only be applied to the more limited end uses, selecting the catchments for a RWH system requires careful consideration.

• The Ontario Building Code (OBC) regulates the use of harvested rainwater as one of many non-potable water sources. "Rainwater means storm sewage runoff that is collected from a roof or the ground, but not from accessible patios and driveways."
• The CSA standard B805-18/ICC805-2018 separates "roof runoff" from all other sources, including landscaped areas and green roofs. Collectively green roofs, landscaped and paved areas result in "stormwater runoff."

The current disparity between these two definitions affects all vegetated landscapes including green roofs. Confusion over terminology and regulation has been identified as a significant barrier to implementation of RWH in Ontario since 2010 ].

Cistern and Pipework

Cisterns must be installed in locations where native soils or the building structure can support the load associated with the volume of stored water.
Expansion caused by freezing water will damage pipes, pumps and the cistern. There are two options for managing a RWH system in our climate:

1. The entire system is drained and closed off ahead of sub-zero temperatures
2. All pipework, pumps, filters and the cistern are protected from freezing during the winter

The first option may be suitable for systems optimized for exterior irrigation only. But regulatory authorities may not permit the use of such seasonal systems as part of a storm water control strategy. Year round systems can be protected from freezing by locating the pipes, pumps and cistern indoors and/or below the frost penetration depth[1].

Inspection and Maintenance

Detailed inspection and maintenance advice can be found in Sustainable Technologies' LID I&M guide. The two primary operational concerns for RWH systems are:

1. A leak developing,
2. Debris obstructing some part of the plumbing.

Planning can help ensure that these are identified and fixed more easily and cheaply. Example questions:

• Is the roof (catchment) readily accessible to sweep debris periodically?
• Could the accumulation of debris on the roof be reduced by removing any overhanging branches?
• Can the leaf screens be accessed from the roof? Or from a maintenance room?
• Will the cistern require entry for inspection in the future? How will this be accessed?

RWH systems producing higher quality water will have additional maintenance requirements. These will depend on the the treatment technologies being used.

Take a look at the Inspection and Maintenance: Rainwater Harvesting page by clicking below for further details about proper inspection and maintenance practices:

For a table summarizing information on planning considerations and site constraints see Site considerations.

Design

Large cistern being installed underground

Conceptual image of an underground cistern being used for irrigation of nearby vegetation on site.

In a recent international research literature review on urban rainwater harvesting systems, Campisano et al. (2017) note that degree of implementation and design choices are strongly influenced by economic constraints (need for low cost, easy to retrofit systems) and government regulations (need for policies, standards and guidelines that ensure system efficacy and improve community acceptance), and that systems tend to be designed for water conservation alone, without considering co-benefits like helping to achieve stormwater management objectives. Adequately sizing rainwater harvesting systems is critical to optimizing their operation because under-sizing results in systems that are unable to provide sufficient, reliable sources of water while oversizing increases the capital costs incurred and poses potential water quality risks if stored water remains unused for long periods of time. In a recent research literature review, Semaan et al. (2020) identified sizing for water storage as most important for system optimization, yet found that sizing for cost is a more frequently implemented optimization approach. They note several sizing and optimization approaches and tools are available globally.

Follow the link below for detailed guidance on approaches to sizing rainwater harvesting systems in Ontario.
Rainwater Harvesting: Sizing and Modelling

Catchments

Decisions need to be made about the selection and grading of catchments. If one catchment is very large, can it be regraded to drain to two or more outlets? Is it desirable to capture both rooftop water and other stormwater? This will may determine the quality improvements required to use the water. See table below, which illustrates the higher treatment required for storm water (i.e. non-rooftop).

Cisterns

Preformed above-ground tanks are usually constructed from polyethylene or galvanized steel. They are available with storage capacity up to around 50,000 L. Preformed below-ground tanks may be constructed from reinforced fiberglass or concrete. Fiberglass tanks are available up to around 150,000 L. Concrete vaults can be constructed in almost any size. Wooden tanks are less common but are also available and permitted in the regulations. As a standing body of freshwater, RWH cisterns present ideal habitat for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes should be prevented from entering by using a mesh screen on all openings. Larvicides may be added when the water is only to be used for irrigation purposes. To prevent algal growth, the cistern must be opaque or otherwise protect the water from light.

Plumbing and Regulation

The current Ontario Building Code requires that rainwater harvesting systems are designed, constructed and installed to conform to good engineering practice. References are made to ASHRAE, ASPE[2] and CSA [3] guides for plumbing detailing. These guides focus on ensuring that the rainwater does not contaminate or become mistaken for the municipal drinking water supply. Similarly, rainwater must be prevented from becoming contaminated from the sewer. In both cases, an air gap or a back-flow preventer is required.

Construction

Construction Considerations

For installation of a cistern (either residentially or commercially), it is advisable to have an experienced contractor who is familiar with appropriate cistern sizing, experience using the chosen installation materials, and knowledge of proper site placement to ensure appropriate use and performance of the feature long-term. A minimum one-year warranty is recommended.

Construction Inspection

The following items should be inspected prior to final sign-off on the stormwater management construction: • Catchment area matches original design plans; • Overflow system is properly sized and installed; • Pretreatment system is installed; • Screens are installed on all openings; • Cistern foundation is constructed as shown on original design plans; and • Catchment area and overflow area are properly stabilized.

Performance

Water Quantity

In theory a large enough RWH cistern could retain 100% of a single storm. However, sizing a stormwater cistern must account for regulatory requirements, available space, budget, and draw-down i.e. rate of use. If a RWH system is being employed for storm water control, the cistern size will typically be greater than that for optimized potable water use reduction.

In 2007-2010 STEP monitored and modelled three rainwater harvesting systems in the Greater Toronto Area[4]. Each system was sized to balance stormwater management objectives with with potable water use reduction for irrigation and toilet flushing. Around 18-20% of the precipitation was lost directly from the rooftop, and the annual stormwater capture varied between 18 and 42%.

Water Quality

The important water quality parameters for harvested rainwater differ from other types of LID. This is due to the potential for direct human contact, rather than environmental discharge. As of July 2017, the CSA and ICC are finalizing a standard[5] which specifies different water quality treatments according to the source (roof runoff versus stormwater runoff) and the intended use.

Tier 1 end uses are most readily achievable, requiring only that larger particles are filtered out of the water. Removing the bulk of the solid particles reduces the nutrient concentration in the water and prevents clogging of the water distribution system. Toilet and urinal flushing are the next most popular use of harvested rainwater. If flushing or other higher tier end uses are desired, disinfection of some type is required and consideration may be given to colour and odour of the water. Technologies for achieving higher standards of water quality include:

• Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection requires additional filtration to remove particles so that the light can penetrate the water and destroy the viruses and bacteria,
• Chlorine disinfection also requires additional filtration to remove larger particles,
• Micro- or Ultra- filtration uses such fine membranes that the vast majority of harmful viruses, bacteria etc. are excluded from the water directly.

All three water purification technologies require specialist design and consultation with a subject matter expert is recommended for higher tiers of water use.

Water quality treatment required for multi-residential and commercial applications (Abridged from CSA B805 draft)

Application		Roof runoff pathogen reduction			Stormwater pathogen reduction
End Use Tier	Example uses	Viruses	Bacteria	Protazoa	Viruses	Bacteria	Protazoa
1	Sub-surface irrigation (drip/bubbler) Spray irrigation (restricted access) Fire suppression Ice rinks	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Toilet and urinal flushing Clothes Washing Rooftop cooling	0	99%	99%	99.99%	99.99%	99.9%
	HVAC systems	In accordance with ASHRAE 188
3	Hose bibbs Pressure washing Vehicle washing Spray irrigation (non-restricted) Decorative fountains	99.9%	99.9%	99.9%	99.99%	99.99%	99.99%
4	Human consumption Oral care Food preparation Dish-washing Bathing, showering, and hand washing Pool/hot tubs/spas/splash pads Misting stations Swamp coolers	0	99.999%	99.999%	Outside of the scope of the CSA standard

Source Water Quality

A study of many types of roof surfaces in Texas found:

• 'Cool' membrane, concrete tile, and metal roofs all produced water of similar good quality for non-potable use,
• The runoff water from asphalt shingle and green roofs contained significantly more dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The DOC can add a yellow colour to the water. If the water is treated with chlorine, for drinking purposes, DOC can produce toxic compounds.

Research in Hamilton, ON assessed the water quality of rain collected from three highly reflective 'cool roof' membranes. Key findings:

• The water was free from significant contamination with by-products of plastic manufacture and did not show elevated levels of the five metals tested.
• Increased microbiological contamination was found in runoff from roof areas where ponding occurred.

Note: Increased microbiological contamination in roof runoff is also associated with warmer weather .

Life Cycle Costs

To learn about Life Cycle Costs associated with this practice (i.e. Pre-construction, Excavation, Materials & Installation, Project Management, Overhead, Inspection and Maintenance, Rehabilitation and other associated costs), visit the Rainwater Harvesting & Cisterns: Life Cycle Costs page to view a cost estimate for a 50,000 L, below-ground concrete cistern. Alternatively you can use the STEP's Low Impact Development Life Cycle Costing Tool (LID LCCT) to generate cost estimates customized to your own LID stormwater design project specifications.

Take a look at the Rainwater Harvesting & Cisterns: Life Cycle Costs page by clicking below for further details:

Incentives and Credits

In Ontario

City of Mississauga The City of Mississauga has a stormwater management credit program which includes RWH as one of their recommended site strategies[6].

LEED BD + C v. 4

Water Efficiency: Rainwater management (up to 3 points) Note that for lines 1. and 2. preference is given to LID that 'best replicates natural site hydrology':

• Two points (or 1 point for Healthcare) will be awarded if the project manages "the runoff from the developed site for the 95th percentile of regional or local rainfall events."
• Three points (or 2 points for Healthcare) will be awarded if the project manages "the runoff from the developed site for the 98th percentile of regional or local rainfall events."

OR
For zero-lot-line projects only, 3 points (or 2 points for Healthcare) will be awarded if the project manages "the runoff from the developed site for the 85th percentile of regional or local rainfall events." This last clause relating to zero-lot-line projects is where RWH may prove most applicable compared to other LID.
Pilot Credits: Whole Project Water Use Reduction (up to 10 points) This pilot credit requires whole building water use modeling to demonstrate reduced water use compared to a baseline model. A sliding scale awards between 1 point for 10% reduction to 10 points for 65% reduction. Making this kind of water use reduction would typically require reuse of greywater as well as an optimized RWH plan.

See Also

• Rain Barrels

External Links

Rainwater harvesting system design guides

• Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B805-18/ICC805-2018, Rainwater harvesting systems
• CMHC Guidelines for Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems Handbook (2012)
• Ontario Rainwater Harvesting Guidelines (2010)

Organizations

• HarvestH2O
• RainBarrel.ca
• Rainwater Collection Supply Canada

Proprietary systems

In our effort to make this guide as functional as possible, we have decided to include proprietary systems and links to manufacturers websites.
Inclusion of such links does not constitute endorsement by the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program.
Lists are ordered alphabetically; link updates are welcomed using the form below.

• CleanFlo
• Greyter
• Interpump
• Make-Way Environmental Technologies Inc.
• PremierTech REWATEC
• RainGrid
• RH₂O

The practice of intercepting, conveying and storing rainwater for future use. Captured rainwater is typically used for outdoor non-potable water uses such as irrigation, or in the building to flush toilets.

The practice of intercepting, conveying and storing rainwater for future use. Captured rainwater is typically used for outdoor non-potable water uses such as irrigation, or in the building to flush toilets.

Tank used to store rainwater (typically roof runoff) for later use.

Rainwater harvesting.

Any form of rain or snow.

Stormwater Management

The land draining to a single reference point (usually a structural BMP); similar to a subwatershed, but on a smaller scale.

Tank used to store rainwater (typically roof runoff) for later use.

Low Impact Development. A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting.

Human application of water to agricultural or recreational land for watering purposes. City of Toronto Wet Weather Flow Management November 2006 47

The technique of removing pollutants from runoff as it infiltrates through the soil.

Stormwater management following the hierarchical approach: Source Control measures, Conveyance Control measure and End of Pipe treatment to achieve the water quality and water balance target for lot level development of the preferred strategy.

A combination of lot level, conveyance, and end-of-pipe stormwater management practices.

The portion of water precipitated onto a catchment area, which then flows as surface discharge from the catchment area past a specified point.

Water from rain, snow melt, or irrigation that flows over the land surface.

The liquid waste from domestic, commercial and industrial establishments. City of Toronto Wet Weather Flow Management Guidelines November 2006 49

Tank used to store rainwater (typically roof runoff) for later use.

Tank used to store rainwater (typically roof runoff) for later use.

Reduction in applied water due to more efficient water use such as implementation of Urban Best Management Practices or Agricultural Efficient Water Management Practices. The extent to which these actions actually create a savings in water supply depends on how they affect net water use and depletion.

Surface runoff from at-grade surfaces, resulting from rain or snowmelt events.

The land draining to a single reference point (usually a structural BMP); similar to a subwatershed, but on a smaller scale.

Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program

A mixture of mineral aggregates bound with bituminous materials, used in the construction and maintenance of paved surfaces.