It is well known that water is a crucial source of life on our planet. Nearly all forms of life on earth utilize or benefit from water in one way or another. This is precisely why recent discussions regarding potential water shortages in the long-term future have begun to increase. Multiple nations have begun to implement innovative collection techniques that allow for more efficient use of water. Thus, in this article, we are going to talk about how tropical states utilize rainwater for their daily needs.
Understanding the Process of Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting refers to the process of collecting, filtering, and storing rainwater. Such water is taken from roofs, parks, roads, and open water grounds with the aim of reusing it later on. Rain harvesting is of crucial importance since the water collected can be used during times of drought. Additionally, water from rainfall does not contain harmful chemicals, hence making the process of filtering and cleaning easier. The steps to rainwater harvesting include:
- Determining the rainwater harvesting potential
- Determining the layout
- Setting up the storage
- Deciding the features of the harvesting system
- Installing the pipes and tank
Collected rainwater is preserved in water tanks. Afterward, the water is subjected to the filtration process when any unnecessary particles are removed. Once the purification process ends, the water is placed in another tank and is ready for daily use.
Why Is Rain Harvesting Important in Tropical Nations?
Tropical nations are characterized by year-long warm weather and an average monthly temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, tropical nations typically get around 100 inches of rainfall annually. As such, rainwater harvesting is of high potential in these locations. Nations such as Cambodia, Haiti, and China all collect and process rainfall. Worth noting is the importance that must be placed on the filtering process. As mentioned previously, rainwater does not contain any harmful chemicals. However, if the water collected is intended for drinking, the filtering process must be thorough and adequate. Reverse osmosis filters better known as RO water filters aid significantly in the process.
What Can Harvested Rainwater Be Used For?
In addition to being used for drinking, rainwater finds use in a number of other areas. Typically, processed and purified rainwater can be used for the following purposes:
- Rainwater can be used for cleaning
- Rainwater can be used for flushing toilets
- Rainwater can be used for garden work (water grass, fill ponds, etc)
- Car washing (can significantly reduce the amount of already clean water used)
The International Aspect of Rainwater Harvesting
Tropical nations surely have immense potential in the field of rainwater harvesting. Nonetheless, other nations have begun to also treat the possibilities of rainwater harvesting more effectively. Regardless of the climate, nations worldwide can collect, process, and store rainwater for later use. At the moment nations such as Singapore, Australia, Germany, and China lead the way in rainwater harvesting. In China, rainwater is of significant importance due to its ever-growing population. China accounts for 22% of the world’s population. However, China holds only 7% of the world’s freshwater resources. Germany began is rainwater harvesting initiatives to reduce the amount of clean water consumed or utilized. On the other hand, Australia has certain parts of its territory that have faced long periods of drought where rainfall reduced by 20%. Through such examples, it can be concluded that rainwater harvesting offers focal benefits in the modern world.
Key Takeaways
Rainwater harvesting in tropical and other nations is of paramount importance. For one, it can substantially reduce the amount of fresh and clean water wasted on a daily basis. Moreover, it can aid in the reduction of pollution as excess water is collected and does not enter existing waterways. Harvesting rainwater can reduce soil erosion levels and, as mentioned earlier, prevent urban flooding by capturing the flow of stormwater. In essence, the idea of rainwater harvesting is not new, however, its widespread implementation is yet to be fully integrated into modern living structures and households. Seemingly, nations have begun to understand the importance of this process and take measures towards implementing its potential accordingly.