Source: aguasolutions.com
“Only about 70 % of the population receive water of potable quality”. (As estimated by AyA’s National Water Laboratory).
“In most of the regions of the country water production capacity is very close to current demand, so the risk of facing water deficits in the near future is high and in fact, various cities already suffer water shortage and rationing”.
“Most water systems are operating with very high water losses, usually over 50%, a value which reflects a high level of inefficiency and compromises continuity of service”
“96% of all urban wastewater collected is discharged into rivers and receiving bodies without any treatment”
“Revenues do not permit adequate management of the infrastructure and the financial
situation of the sector is precarious”.
- Background Water Facts:
RWH Examples ... from around the World
1) What is Rain Water Harvesting?
RWH is simply collecting, storing and purifying the naturally soft and pure rainfall that falls upon your roof. Rainwater may be utilized for both potable and non-potable requirements such as ... - drinking, cooking, bathing (potable quality)
- swimming pool replenishment
- toilet flushing
- laundry (reduces detergent & bleach)
- landscape irrigation
- livestock & animals
- AyA
- Municipal service
- Groundwater well
- Rain water harvesting
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| Example: RWH with concrete tank |
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| Example: RWH with twin concrete below grade |
2) Why Harvest the Rain?
RWH is most suitable where ...- groundwater is scarce
- groundwater is contaminated
- terrain is rugged or mountainous
- seismic & flooding events are common
- the aquifer is at risk of saltwater intrusion
- population density is low
- electricity & water prices are rising
- water is too hard or mineral laden
- consumers must restrict salt/chlorine intake
- where utility service is unreliable
... and where ... - conservation is an objective
- Availability not subject to outside utility control
- Not subject to pipelines interruption (seismic)
- Quality is controlled by the consumer
- Available even when power is interrupted
- Reduces run-off and erosion
- Available even when storms & disaster strike
- Available immediately for fire suppression
- Reduces mosquito breeding grounds (Dengue Fever)
- Thermal mass can naturally cool buildings
- Ideal for people on low sodium diets or with health concerns (weakened immunity systems)
- naturally pure
- naturally soft (no dissolved minerals)
- free for those who collect it
- sustainable
- free of chlorine and its byproducts
- free of pesticides and other man-made contaminants
- abundantly available in Costa Rica
3) How to Harvest the Rain ...
The six basic components of a Rain Water Harvesting system include:- Catchment: roof surface to collect the rain
- Conveyance: channels or pipes from roof or catchment area to storage
- Roof washing: ‘first flush’ diverter system to filter and remove contaminants
- Storage: cisterns or tanks where collected rainwater is securely stored – i.e. insect proof
- Purification: includes filtration, ozone or UV light to purify the collected rainwater for potable use
- Distribution: system that delivers the rainwater, usually including a small pump and pressure tank
4) Background information ...
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| Rainfall Map - Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia |
- AyA & Ministerio de Salud both recognize RWH as an approved supply source of potable water
- Guanacaste Rainfall:
- Liberia area: (32 years of data)
- Annual average = 63.5 inches
- Annual average = 1,614 mm
- 2005 total = 110 inches
- Bagaces area: (28 years of data)
- Annual average = 65.7 inches
- Annual average = 1,670 mm
- 2005 total = 89.6 inches
- Coastal area:
- Annual average = 60 inches
- Annual average = 1,524 mm
- 2005 total = 98.4 inches Rainfall Map - Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería
“Only about 70 % of the population receive water of potable quality”. (As estimated by AyA’s National Water Laboratory).
“In most of the regions of the country water production capacity is very close to current demand, so the risk of facing water deficits in the near future is high and in fact, various cities already suffer water shortage and rationing”.
“Most water systems are operating with very high water losses, usually over 50%, a value which reflects a high level of inefficiency and compromises continuity of service”
“96% of all urban wastewater collected is discharged into rivers and receiving bodies without any treatment”
“Revenues do not permit adequate management of the infrastructure and the financial
situation of the sector is precarious”.
- Background Water Facts:During the past century, the world population has tripled, but water use has increased six-fold. The UN’s Population Division projects that we are adding 240,000 people each day, heading toward a global population of 8.04 billion by the year 2025…. 50% will live in ‘water stressed’ areas.- Background Water Facts:
Population growth in the Central American region is the second fastest in the world after Asia, and 59 million people are expected to live in the region by 2025. (Source: United Nations)
Agriculture consumes over 70% of Costa Rica’s water resources. As population increases, agriculture (food production) will increasingly compete with industrial and urban water consumers.
Only 2.5% of the world’s water is fresh, while 97.5% is ocean. And of that freshwater, only 0.3% is available from rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Most freshwater is locked up in polar ice, glaciers or soil moisture. Unfortunately, more and more of that precious freshwater is contaminated each year.
RWH Examples ... from around the World
- Australia* & New Zealand
- Bermuda*
- U.S. Virgin Islands*
- Singapore*
- Turks & Caicos Islands*
- India
- Barbados
- Bahamas
- Germany (500,000 systems in operation)
- Texas
- Hawaii (60,000 people depend upon RWH)
- China (21 million people depend upon RWH)
* Countries where RWH systems are required by law.
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