HarvestH2o Site Rainwater Filtration Inputs

HarvestH2o Site Analyzer
Rainwater Filtration Questions

Please check your information below to make sure it is correct. If you need to make corrects, click on the BACK arrow to return to the previous page. Then resubmit your corrections.

Name:
Primary Water Use: ? Primary Water Use was set in your first screen on Site Analyzer. It is how you plan on using the water.

Unfortunately you can only change this on the first screen at this point in time.

The Filtration Advisor is setup to suggest alteratives for indoor rainwater filtration/purification.

Project Address:
City and State: ,
Zipcode:

Rainwater systems require some type of filtration. Filtration can be accomplished by installing anything from a low-end mesh filter screens to cannister-based filters at the high-end.

This analysis is for using Rainwater or Graywater inside your house. These are not required for subsurface irrigation. Spray irrigation will require some from of purification. For irrigation filtration/purification, click here.

Filtration removes debris from the water whereas purification is intended to remove harmful bacteria and viruses from the water. Typical purification is completed via either Ultra-Violet (UV) light, Ozone or some other method. Whether purification is required or not depends on the end use of the water.

To assist in determining the alternatives for your situation please answer the questions below as best as you can. Some of these questions may not pertain to your current use, but please answer them to assist in this analysis. After answering the questions below, click on Next to generate a report. This analysis is not based on your water quality, but on your preferences. It will provide two suggested alternatives that should be considered. A water test should always be performed post installation and prior to consumption of the treated water!

Power Type: ? Most filtration systems require power and some type of units are not available in some power configurations.

If you select NO POWER than a countertop unit will be choosen.

If you select Solar Power the alternatives will lean towards units that are less power intensive. Filtration/purification options use a lot of energy (i.e. whole house Reverse Osmosis units).

A great article rainater filtration is Filtration and Purification.

The power option selected will effect the suggested filtration type.

Rank the order of importance of the following:

Do you have a heated indoor space for filtration equipment? A space that does not freeze in the winter. If so, how large is this indoor space? ? Filtration can be indoor or outdoor depending on your location. Generally you will want these systems in an indoor location or a well pit. The latter makes maintenance more difficut, but keeps the units out of the weather.

In freezing climates, water systems will freeze unless properly protected. Rodents in some area are a constant threat. They will chew through insulation and pipes given access and enough time.

Some systems require more space (e.g. UV with Ozone tank), while others are under the counter.

The space option choosen will effect the suggested filtration type.

How often will the system be in use? ? Filtration can be indoor or outdoor depending on your location. Generally you will want these systems in an indoor location or a well pit. The latter makes maintenance more difficut, but keeps the units out of the weather.

In freezing climates, water systems will freeze unless properly protected. Rodents in some area are a constant threat. They will chew through insulation and pipes given access and enough time.

Some systems require more space (e.g. UV with Ozone tank), while others are under the counter.

The space option choosen will effect the suggested filtration type.

When in use, what type of ongoing access do you require? ? Filtration systems vary in whether they can easily be turned on or off for seasonal use. Additionally, depending on the power type this may effect their performance and ongoing maintenance.

Part-time and emergency use will prioritize countertop-type units. These units will not do a whole house, but provide filtered drinking water. Full-time will eliminate these as options.

This selection will directly impact the type of alternatives suggested for your installations.

What is the roof type?' ? Roof type figure important in the calculation on the efficiency of the system as well as the type of filtration system selected.

Some roofs are known to leach metals or other types of contaminants that need to be removed prior to use of the water.

You input this on your Site Analyzer report. It is also an option on this page. If you input a different choice on this page, this will be saved into your file.

Roof materials are known to leach into the water will recommend an additional filtration method.

The water should always be tested prior to consumption.

What is the makeup or backup water system?

How will this projected be implemented?

Prefer a Non-Chlorine/Chemical Solution? ? Chlorine can be used as part of the purification process; however it is not necessary inorder to treat water to drinking water quality. It is a matter of choice.

If you choose Okay with Chlorine it will be ranked along with all the other filtration/purification methods; however, it does necessarily rank it highest.

To get Chlorine higher in the ranking, do not choose Lowest Maintenance or Lowest Cost. Do Best Water Quality and you will need to have some protected space for the equipment as chlorine should not be left outside unprotected.

Chlorine should not be used directly with rainwater, it is used as part of filtration and purification process.

A great article rainater filtration is Chlorination: The Addition.

Have you performed a water test?

Other Information:

If you have entered information in the Other Information field above your report will not be auto-generated. It may take a few days to get a report as it will be manually processed. You will recieve an email confirmation that your request has been received.

Once you have entered the data above you can either click on Save or click on Next. Save saves this data to your project record but does not advance you to the next page; while Next saves the data and moves to the next page (i.e. a report or a confirmation of receipt).

Information entered will be kept in your record. You can always return to this page and update your preferences after reading your report.

Roof Type: Roof type figure important in the calculation on the efficiency of the system as well as the type of filtration system selected.

Some roofs are known to leach metals or other types of contaminants that need to be removed prior to use of the water.

You input this on your Site Analyzer report. It is also an option on this page. If you input a different choice on this page, this will be saved into your file.

Roof materials are known to leach into the water will recommend an additional filtration method.

Power: Most filtration systems require power and some type of units are not available in some power configurations.
If you select NO POWER than a countertop unit will be choosen.
If you select Solar Power the alternatives will lean towards units that are less power intensive. Filtration/purification options use a lot of energy (i.e. whole house Reverse Osmosis units).

Space: Filtration can be indoor or outdoor depending on your location. Generally you will want these systems in an indoor location or a well pit. The latter makes maintenance more difficut, but keeps the units out of the weather.

In freezing climates, water systems will freeze unless properly protected. Rodents in some area are a constant threat. They will chew through insulation and pipes given access and enough time.

Some systems require more space (e.g. UV with Ozone tank), while others are under the counter.

The space option choosen will effect the suggested filtration type.

Use: Filtration systems vary in whether they can easily be turned on or off for seasonal use. Additionally, depending on the power type this may effect their performance and ongoing maintenance.

Part-time and emergency use will prioritize countertop-type units. These units will not do a whole house, but provide filtered drinking water. Full-time will eliminate these as options.

This selection will directly impact the type of alternatives suggested for your installations.

Volume Required: Filtration systems vary greatly in how much water they filter and purify. Countertop units generally produce only a 2-5 gallons at a time, whereas other filtration systems can produce 2-5 gallons a minute.

Choosing the right volume ensures your water needs are met.

Normal house flow can be 2-3 gallons a minute; however if multiple fixtures are being used at once (e.g. a sink and a shower) this could be reduced the flow to 1 - 1.5 gallons per minute. This might be okay occasionally, but not all the time.

Slower flow treatment units will normally be less expensive and generally the higher the flow the more is required out of the system which adds more components to the system and a higher cost.

If multiple fixtures are going to be a common than choicing High Flow is the best option.

This selection will directly impact the type of alternatives suggested for your installations.

Chlorine: Chlorine can be used as part of the purification process; however it is not necessary inorder to treat water to drinking water quality. It is a matter of choice.

If you choose Okay with Chlorine it will be ranked along with all the other filtration/purification methods; however, it does necessarily rank it highest.

To get Chlorine higher in the ranking, do not choose Lowest Maintenance or Lowest Cost. Do Best Water Quality and you will need to have some protected space for the equipment as chlorine should not be left outside unprotected.

Chlorine should not be used directly with rainwater, it is used as part of filtration and purification process.