Rainwater Harvesting

According to the EPA, rainwater harvesting has significant potential to provide environmental and economic benefits by reducing stormwater runoff and conserving potable water. Resources available in this sub-theme include training materials on rainwater roof catchments and guidance on how to design ground level storage tanks, among other resources that support the practice of rainwater harvesting.

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Rainwater Harvesting Resources

Constructing an Elevated Storage Tank

Published: 
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note discusses various construction procedures that can be followed for constructing elevated storage tanks of different capacities. Construction of most tanks requires a certain amount of expertise or someone with a great deal of construction experience.Read more

Evaluating Rainfall Catchments

Published: 
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes each catchment system and discusses its advantages and disadvantages. Before deciding to use a rainfall catchment, be sure to determine that the quantity of water it will produce is sufficient to meet local or individual needs and that enough storage can be provided.Read more

Designing a Ground Level Storage Tank

Published: 
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Technical note provides guidance on designing a ground level storage tank. Under suitable circumstances, ground level storage tanks may be used to deliver water to users by gravity flow. Storage tanks are a very important part of a water system because they ensure that adequate quantities of water...Read more

Determining the Need for Water Storage

Published: 
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Technical note helps determine the need for water storage. Storage is necessary (1) when rainwater is collected for drinking water, (2) for most distribution systems where the source's continuous supply is barely sufficient or is insufficient to meet the daily demand and (3) where a single...Read more

Designing a Household Cistern

Published: 
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Technical note provides guidance on designing a household cistern. Household cisterns are an important means of storing rainwater for family use. In areas where rainwater is the primary source of drinking water, adequate storage is necessary to ensure that people have access to a sufficient...Read more

Distinguishing Seasonal Recharge to Groundwater By Deuterium Analysis in Southern Arizona

Published: 
January 1, 1970
U.S. Agency for International Development
This paper reports the results of a one-year exploratory study of the distribution of deuterium in rainfall, snow, stream runoff, and groundwater in and near the city of Tucson in southern Arizona. The original impetus to make the study arose from a desire to find a way to distinguish between...Read more

Village Technology Handbook: Section 1, Part 3: Water Storage and Water Power

Published: 
January 1, 1970
U.S. Agency for International Development
Section 1 Part 3 of the Village Technology Handbook provides tools and materials for developing small springs, rainwater harvesting using cisterns or creating a proper catchment area.Read more

Construction and Use of a Physical Model of the Rainfall-Runoff Process

Published: 
June 1, 1966
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note describes the design, construction, and initial use of a complete physical model of the rainfall-surface runoff process. The complete physical model consists basically of a rainfall generator, scaled model, and a weighing device for recording the model runoff. The rainfall...Read more

Use of Roman-Type Cisterns and Small Dams for Rain Water Storage in the Highlands of the Base Valley of the Medjerda

Published: 
December 1, 1963
U.S. Agency for International Development
The relentless drive to complete the development quickly demands that daily-hundreds of decisions, both big and small, must be made on a vast variety of subjects. It is the purpose of this report to suggest for your consideration a conservation practice which you may find has application to the...Read more
Regional focus: 
TunisiaMiddle East and North Africa

Tucson Water Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program Brochure

The National Institutes for Water Resources
Rainwater harvesting is the capture diversion, and storage of rainwater for plant irrigation, the primary concept is to slow down as much of the rainwater runoff as possible and keep it on the property.Read more
Regional focus: 
United StatesNorth America

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