Water Harvesting
Water Harvesting
FRONT VIEW
REAR VIEW
RIGHT VIEW
LEFT VIEW
GUTTERS
OVER TANK
ELBOWS
CONDUIT PIPE
UNDERGROUND
RESERVIOR TANKS
WATER PUMP
GATE VALVE
HARVESTING PROCESS
CONDUIT
WATER SUPPLY
PIPES
GATE VALVE
Tower
Tank
Underground
Tank
TECHNICAL DRAWING 2
NOTE;
The first step in rainwater harvesting is collecting rainwater. This is typically achieved by directing
rainwater from rooftops into a collection system, such as gutters and downspouts. The volume of the
laboratory was 24510m3 the collected rainwater is then channeled into the two storage tank 7000liters of
each, which is an underground reservoir.
Once the rainwater is collected, it undergoes a water treatment process to ensure its quality and
safety for various uses. The treatment process may involve several steps, including:
Filtration: Rainwater is passed through filters in the tank to remove debris, leaves, and other
particulate matter. This can be achieved using coarse filters to remove large particles and fine filters to
remove smaller particles.
Disinfection: To kill bacteria and viruses, the filtered water is disinfected. This can be done by
adding chemical disinfectants like chlorine in the underground tank.
After treatment, the clean water is stored in the over tank of 13,000litres. The stored water can then
be distributed to various points of use through a water supply system. This system may involve a
combination of gravity-fed and pump-based distribution. Gravity-fed systems rely on the elevation
difference between the over storage tank and the point of use to distribute water. Pump-based systems use
pumps to pressurize the water and distribute it to higher levels or longer distances where the pump is used
to pump the underground harvested water to the over tank.
In conclusion, rainwater harvesting is a valuable technique for conserving water and reducing
dependence on conventional water sources. By understanding the key components and processes involved
in rainwater harvesting, we can implement effective systems to harness this valuable resource and
contribute to sustainable water management.
Reasons on why Do We Treat Water Before Use in the Laboratory?
Water used in laboratories must be treated to ensure it meets the necessary purity standards for
scientific experiments, equipment maintenance, and safety. Untreated water may contain
impurities that can interfere with experiments, damage laboratory instruments, and pose health
risks. Below are the key reasons why water treatment is essential in a laboratory setting:
1. Removal of Contaminants
Natural and harvested water sources often contain impurities that can affect the accuracy of
laboratory work. Treatment helps remove:
Many laboratory experiments require highly pure water to avoid unwanted chemical
reactions.
Impurities in water can alter test results, making experiments unreliable.
Certain analytical techniques, such as spectrophotometry or chromatography, require
water with low conductivity and no organic matter to prevent measurement errors.
Hard water containing minerals like calcium and magnesium can cause scaling and
blockages in laboratory instruments.
Unfiltered particles can clog sensitive equipment like pipettes, autoclaves, and cooling
systems.
Bacteria and algae growth in untreated water can lead to contamination and equipment
malfunction.
4. Preventing Corrosion and Chemical Reactions
Some laboratory equipment and glassware are sensitive to pH changes and dissolved salts
in water.
Corrosive elements like chlorine, iron, and sulfates can damage metal and plastic
components over time.
In microbiology labs, untreated water may introduce unwanted microorganisms, affecting
culture growth.
Water used for cleaning lab equipment and surfaces must be free from pathogens to
prevent contamination.
In chemistry and biology labs, using untreated water in sensitive processes can expose
researchers to toxic substances or microbial infections.
Some experiments require sterile water to maintain a contamination-free environment.
Many scientific applications require water that meets specific purity standards such as
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) or ISO (International Organization
for Standardization).
Treated water is categorized into different purity levels (Type I, Type II, and Type III)
depending on laboratory needs.
CLIMATE STATUS IN ARUSHA
The Arusha region in Tanzania experiences a bimodal rainfall pattern with two distinct rainy
seasons:
Long Rains;This season typically occurs from March to May, bringing significant
rainfall to the area.
Short Rains: This season occurs from November to December, providing additional
rainfall, although usually less than the long rains.
The average annual rainfall in the Arusha region is around 1000 mm (45 inches). However, it's
important to note that rainfall patterns can vary from year to year, and climate change may be
influencing these patterns.
Potential water Harvested= Roof area * Annual Rainfall * Run off coefficient
Whereby;
The average annual rainfall in Arusha region in Tanzania is 1000mm
The runoff coefficient (CCC): It accounts for the fact that not all rainfall becomes runoff due to
absorption, evaporation, or losses. Different roofing materials have different runoff coefficients.
For example, here are some common values for runoff coefficient CCC:
Therefore; The building roof is of the metal where its average run off coefficient is 0.9.
ROOF AREA
Recall; The roof shape is parallelogram
Whereby; Base=49745mm
Height= 312mm
Thus, Area= Base* Height
Area= 49745mm*312mm
= 14958840mm2
=
14958840mm2 * 2sides
= 29917680mm2
29.917680m square
Then; in Square meters =30square meters approximately.
From; Potential water Harvested= Roof area * Annual Rainfall * Run off coefficient
Potential water Harvested= 30m2 *1000 * 0.90
Potential water Harvested= 27,000 Litres
Our Arusha Technical College Laboratory merge to occupy about 50student per day therefore for
normal Calculation consider the following
For A day= 50student * 5litres = 250Litres
For a week=50student 35litres = 1,750Litres
For month=50student * 140litres = 7,000Litres
For year =50student * 1680litres = 87,000Litres
Given Data:
To find the daily water consumption, we divide the total annual usage by the number of days in a
year:
To find the monthly water usage, we divide the total annual consumption by 12 months:
If 27,000 liters of rainwater is harvested per year, the daily availability is:
The deficit is the difference between daily consumption and available rainwater supply:
The water consumption and supply situation at the Arusha Technical College Laboratory
highlights the institution's reliance on multiple water sources to meet its needs. Over the course
of a year, the laboratory consumes more than 87,000 liters of water, which is essential for
supporting its operations, experiments, and other laboratory-related activities.
The Arusha Technical College Laboratory consumes over 87,000 liters of water annually, while
rainwater harvesting provides only about 27,000 liters per year. This gap highlights the need for
improved water management strategies to ensure a sustainable supply.
To meet the total annual water demand of 87,000 liters without relying in other sources the focus
should be on improving rainwater harvesting and optimizing water storage capacity. Currently,
the college harvests 27,000 liters per year, covering only 31% of its total needs. To close the gap,
we must increase water collection efficiency, expand storage, and optimize usage as explained
below;
1. Expanding Rainwater Harvesting System
a) Increasing the Collection Surface Area
Since rainwater is the primary source, increasing the catchment area will allow more water to be
collected.
Utilizing More Roofs: Install rainwater collection systems on additional buildings within
the college.
Installing Water Collection Panels: These panels help redirect rainwater efficiently into
storage tanks.
Optimizing Gutter Systems: Expanding gutters and ensuring proper slopes will help
maximize water capture.
To ensure stored rainwater remains clean and usable for the laboratory:
The current system only stores 27,000 liters per year, which is insufficient. To meet the 87,000-
liter demand, the storage capacity must increase significantly.
Some water used for cleaning glassware and surfaces can be filtered and reused for non-
sensitive applications.
For scientific experiments requiring high-purity water, a distillation system can recycle used
water.
4. Water Conservation Measures
a) Installing Water-Efficient Fixtures
Conclusion
By expanding rainwater collection, increasing storage capacity, implementing water recycling,
and promoting conservation, the college can fully meet its 87,000-liter annual demand without
relying on municipal water or groundwater extraction.
With these enhancements, the laboratory will achieve water self-sufficiency, ensuring a
sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly water supply system.
Implications:
1. Insufficient Rainwater Supply: The current rainwater harvesting system covers only
about 31% of the total demand, leading to a significant shortfall.
2. Potential Water Shortages: Limited supply could disrupt laboratory activities,
especially during dry seasons when rainwater collection is minimal.
3. Increased Dependence on Other Sources: The laboratory may need to seek alternative
water solutions to meet its needs.
Recommendations:
By enhancing rainwater harvesting, optimizing usage, and integrating alternative sources, the
college can create a more self-sufficient and reliable water supply system.
I. Rainwater harvesting helps conserve water resources by capturing and storing rainwater for
later use, reducing reliance on traditional water sources.
II. By using rainwater for various household needs like gardening and flushing toilets, you can
significantly lower your water bills.
III. Rainwater harvesting helps mitigate flooding by reducing the volume of rainwater flowing into
storm drains and natural waterways
IV. By reducing demand on conventional water sources and mitigating pollution, rainwater harvesting
contributes to environmental sustainability
V. Rainwater harvesting empowers individuals and communities to become more self-reliant in water
management, especially during droughts or water scarcity.
LABOURING COST
S/No ACTIVITIES UNIT QUANTITY RATE AMOUNT
PLUMBING AND FITTING(3Labourers) Days 10 300,000.00 3,000,000.00
TOWER TANK CONSTRUCTION(3labourers Days 7 300,000.00 2,100,000.00
TOTAL 5,100,000.00
GRAND TOTAL 16,155,085.00