It turns out that the owner of a country house can get at least something for free. It's about about rainwater.
Help collect this valuable resource maybe a drainage system. Of course, you will have to pay for gutters, tanks, pipes and installation, but the “additional infusions”, that is, the water itself, will not cost the homeowner a penny.
Is investing in rainwater harvesting equipment worth it? Judge for yourself. As you know, a family of four spends an average of 130-150 liters per day. water. And this does not take into account the garden! But even a small sloping roof can give the homeowner about 2500 liters per season and they obviously won’t be superfluous. Of course, you shouldn’t drink this water, but it is suitable for summer showers, watering, cleaning, laundry, car washing and other household needs.
Why is rainwater better? It is believed that rainwater is softer and cleaner than tap water, but if the house is located near the city or industrial enterprise, it’s better not to risk it and order chemical analysis. Experts will tell you what you can and cannot use moisture collected from the roof for.
You can't drink rainwater (at least not without multi-stage purification), but it can be used for washing, a boiler, a drain barrel and much more.
What kind of roof can such a system be installed on? Obviously not flat. And not on a roof with an angle of less than 10°. There is a simple rule: the steeper the slope, the faster the drain. And the faster the drainage, the less chance that the water will become contaminated along the way.
The type of roof also matters. Some coatings contain substances hazardous to human health. Water cannot be collected from roofs covered with copper tiles, asbestos-cement boards and materials containing lead. But with ceramic and flexible tiles, roofing iron and metal tiles - it is possible and necessary.
What to consider when choosing a drainage system?
Gutters and pipes. The strongest, most durable, but also the most expensive are gutters made of aluminum and titanium-zinc components. PVC gutters are cheaper, but “weaker”: under the pressure of frozen or stagnant water, the plastic begins to crack quite quickly. Structures containing copper or lead are excluded for the reasons we discussed above. Galvanized steel pipes have the optimal price-quality-safety ratio.
The diameter of the pipes is selected based on the size of the roof. If the slope area is less than 30 m2, pipes with a diameter of 80 mm are suitable, if larger - 90 mm. In regions where there is a lot of precipitation, it is better to install square or rectangular section: their throughput more than oval ones.
It is possible and even necessary to water plants with rainwater - they absorb it much better than tap water.
Installation. The distance between the building wall and the drainpipe must be at least 5 cm, but no more than 7 cm. If the pipe is too close, the facade will get wet; if it is too close, the fastening systems will not withstand.
To ensure efficient drainage, gutters are installed with a slope of 2-3 cm per 1 linear line. m. In this case, every 10 m it is necessary to install a receiving funnel and a drainpipe, otherwise the system will not cope with the flow of rainwater.
Obviously, rainwater used in the house must be clean. Many drainage structures are equipped with devices for retaining large debris: mesh with small cells, which are located along the gutters and at the junction with the pipes. Also, to remove large debris, filters are installed: one at the entrance to the tank and another one or two at the exit from it.
Collection containers
Any container made of a safe and non-corrosive material can serve as a water collection tank: concrete, polyethylene, polypropylene, galvanized steel. The volume can vary from 800 to 3000 liters depending on the size of the house and the number of residents. As for the design, the tank must have a lid, a hole for a drainpipe and a pipe through which excess water will flow, a leaf filter and, of course, a faucet. Everything is quite simple here.
Where and how to install? The easiest way is to place a container to collect rainwater on the ground. But then, firstly, she will take away precious square meters, and secondly, in hot weather the water will overheat and “bloom”. So it’s better to sink the container into the ground. To do this, dig a pit slightly larger than the tank itself, and place a 20 cm thick sand cushion at the bottom. Then place the tank, fill the voids with sand, connect the pump and pipes, and close the neck with a lid. A drain is made in the upper part of the container, through which excess water flows into the sewer. To connect the tank to the water supply system at home and beyond, standard PVC pipes are usually used.
Instead of one large rainwater collection tank, you can bury several in the ground and connect them with pipes.
The underground system requires seasonal maintenance. With the onset of cold weather, the pump must be removed and stored in a warm place, and the tank must be closed and covered with a thick layer of sand on top to protect it from freezing. But these minor troubles are worth it, since water, which is the most valuable natural resource, won't cost the homeowner a penny.
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In the form of rain a huge mass fresh water falls to the ground. How can you use this scarce product? In what areas is this advisable, and in what areas is it dangerous and harmful? Is it possible to drink rainwater collected from the roof? There is a lot of controversy about the benefits and harms of rainwater these days. Discussions on this topic do not stop, and evidence of both its benefits and harm appears with enviable regularity.
By its nature, rainwater is droplets that are formed as a result of the melting of ice crystals and supercooled water in rain clouds. They gather into clouds, evaporating from the surface of seas, oceans, rivers and lakes in sunny and warm weather. In the process of forming and moving towards the ground water masses collect many elements, both valuable and useful, and harmful.
The irrigation system on the ground is thought out brilliantly and works great. This manifests itself in the fact that rain falls in the form of small drops that gradually saturate the surface of the earth, rather than falling with its entire mass onto a small area. Plants gratefully receive rainwater. It shows up rapid growth and the strength of trunks, foliage and grass. It is better to water even indoor plants with rainwater collected specifically for this purpose. The reaction will be noticeable immediately, in comparison with tap water, even settled water.
Compound
Along with the benefits, there are also harms of rainwater. Its composition varies significantly depending on the place where precipitation occurs. It can be very harmful in large industrial centers and cities and useful in ecologically clean areas.
Raindrops absorb microelements contained in the air. In cities and industrial centers, as well as nearby hazardous industries the rain may even be acidic, which poses a health hazard. Exposure to such rain is dangerous due to hair loss and toxic poisoning of the body. Of course, you cannot wash your hair, dishes, or water plants with such a liquid, since it contains a large percentage of sulfuric and nitric acids.
As raindrops fall from a cloud, they absorb elements contained in the atmosphere, and these can be not only harmful gases, dust particles and combustion products, but also ions heavy metals and many other harmful chemical elements. When these particles enter the human body, the consequences can be very unpredictable.
Note! Based on the above information, logical conclusion is such that rainwater cannot be consumed unless absolutely necessary.
Theoretically, in mountainous areas or areas far from major cities And hazardous enterprises, this would be possible if not for the risk that clouds can move over vast distances. No one knows what composition of water falls in the form of rain even in an ecologically safe area.
If you boil rainwater, more likely end up with a non-hazardous product, but heavy radioactive metals are not removed from the composition of the liquid even when boiled. So it’s not worth playing such a lottery with your health.
Is it possible to wash with rainwater?
Previously, there were beauty recipes that were used by fashionistas and those who simply wanted to look fresh and attractive. One of these recipes was washing with rainwater in the morning. Many noted the effect of such procedures in a beautiful complexion and toned skin. This liquid is, indeed, much softer in composition than its tap counterpart. Is it possible to wash with rainwater, for example, in a bathhouse these days?
IN modern world There are proven and safe cosmetic products that will definitely bring benefits and not harm. Ecology in former times did not pose such a danger as it does now. What was useful 100 years ago can be destructive for a person today. You should also not use rainwater for washing in a bathhouse.
Rainwater harvesting methods are also not very clean. When collecting it from roofs and gutters, all the dust and soot that settled before the rain ends up in tanks and mixes with water in considerable proportions.
Benefits of use
Despite the dangers, rainwater is used for some purposes. The main areas are:
- laundry;
- watering plants;
- washing dishes;
- flushing the toilet.
Many adherents traditional medicine and recipes advise using water for cosmetic purposes, but most scientists and scientific evidence refute these claims. Washing clothes is good option use of rainwater. The main use of rainwater is irrigation.
Important! Rainwater should not be collected from an asbestos tile or copper roof.
Collecting water when it rains can save money water resources and will be safe if you direct the flushing fluid into a waste drain to wash garden supplies. Rainwater can be collected using downspouts from cleared roofs.
What is the harm?
A lot of literature has been written about the dangers of acid rain, and the plight of the environment on the planet is discussed various funds and organizations every day. Harm from the use of rainwater can manifest itself in poisoning of the human body, allergic reactions, and unpredictable consequences from use. The possible benefit is not balanced by the danger.
An option for using rainwater is to have it analyzed in a laboratory, which will show whether this particular collected material can be used for the specific stated purposes. But this analysis will need to be carried out every time after the harvest.
It is optimal to use rainwater for indoor or garden plants. It is dangerous for a person to use rainwater for any purpose without prior research. The benefits of uncontrolled use are questionable, but the harm that can be caused is real and obvious. Modern reality dictates its own conditions for existence, which should not be ignored.
For quite some time now large quantity time, people argue about the benefits and harms of rainwater. Currently ecological situation in the world leaves much to be desired. But this fact does not interfere with the search for the beneficial properties of rainwater. Every drop carries vitality, which is necessary for animals, plants and, of course, humans.
Benefits of rain
Our grandmothers also used rainwater as a rejuvenating agent. They washed her face and hair. On this moment cosmetologists also recommend soft rain water for facial care.
The benefits of rain are obvious - ionization occurs in the uppermost atmospheric layers. In the summer heat, plants simply need rain in order not to dry out and receive a portion of new strength.
If you want your hair to become stronger and at the same time be soft and manageable, then be sure to wash it with rainwater.
To obtain a cosmetic effect, you must first wash your face with water pouring from heaven, and then with spilled liquid. After just 7 days, you will notice that the skin has become more elastic and soft.
Many argue that rainwater can relieve a person of the burden of accumulated problems. To do this, you need to wash your face, hands and lower back while standing in the rain. Thus, a person relieves himself of negativity and stress.
All kids love rain. Not only do they get a lot from such a celebration positive emotions, plus on top of everything, kids harden their bodies.
To get the most out of rainwater, it needs to be collected only from environmentally friendly areas.
Damage from rainwater
It is worth saying that throughout our country there are a huge number of enterprises that, undoubtedly, are harmful to environment. This also applies to rain. Instead of normal rain, acid rain falls from the sky in such areas. It not only pollutes lakes and rivers, but also kills many insects. This water can cause redness on the skin; you should not wash your face or hair with it. Of course, acid rain should never be used for cooking.
In conclusion, we will say that it is possible to say 100% about the benefits of rainwater only after conducting a series of studies. And it doesn’t matter at all what area you live in. It is for this reason that you can use water from rain only when absolutely necessary. IN otherwise no one can guarantee a positive outcome.
Research
Firsov Artyom Gennadievich
Natural-technical lyceum
Saransk 2004
Introduction
Rainwater is well absorbed by the body and contains minimal amount harmful impurities. It promotes better digestion and absorption of food. Retains skin moisture and keeps it in balance. But all this applies to clean rainwater. Under current conditions, the composition of rainwater depends on the area over which the cloud formed and how polluted the atmosphere there is. For example, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, reacting with water in the atmosphere, turn into acids and fall to the ground in the form of so-called “acid” rain. Given the current environmental problems, almost every rain can be called “acidic.” Therefore, now you can’t not only drink rainwater, but even wash your hair and wash clothes in it.
The body's reaction to acid rain depends on the concentration of harmful impurities in rainwater and the time of its exposure. Reactions can be of two types - immediate and delayed. Immediate symptoms include skin redness and itching. Delayed - hair loss, disruption of biochemical processes.
In connection with this problem, I decided to study the chemical composition of the rain that falls in the area of my house and determine its effect on the human body. Also, the purpose of my work is to identify the reasons for the change chemical composition rain water.
1. Ecology in human life.
Factors influencing human health.
Acid rain is rain with a pH less than 5. The acidic nature of rain is due to many chemical compounds, but the main ones are SO2, SO42- and NO.
There is a close relationship between the mortality rate and the degree of pollution in the area. When SO2 concentrations are around 1 mg/m3, which occurs in winter in Budapest, the number of deaths increases, especially among older people and people suffering from respiratory diseases. Statistics have shown what it is serious illness, like false croup, which requires immediate medical attention and is common among children, occurs for the same reason. The same can be said for early neonatal mortality in Europe and North America, which annually amounts to several tens of thousands.
In addition to sulfur and nitrogen oxides, aerosol particles of an acidic nature containing sulfates or sulfuric acid. The degree of their danger depends on their size. Thus, dust and larger aerosol particles are retained in the upper respiratory tract, and small (less than 1 micron) drops of sulfuric acid or sulfate particles can penetrate into the farthest corners of the lungs.
Physiological studies have shown that the degree of exposure is directly proportional to the concentration of pollutants. However, there is a threshold value below which even the most sensitive people no deviations from the norm are detected. For example, for sulfur dioxide, the daily average threshold concentration for healthy people is approximately 400 µg/m3.
In protected areas, the standards are correspondingly stricter. At the same time, it is expected that even lower regulatory values will be set in the future. However, the dangerous concentration may be even lower if different acidic pollutants enhance each other's effects, i.e., synergism occurs. Hungary has also established a relationship between sulfur dioxide pollution and various diseases respiratory tract (flu, sore throat, bronchitis, etc.). In some contaminated areas of Hungary, the number of diseases was several times higher than in control areas.
In addition to the primary direct impact, of course, environmental acidification also indirectly affects humans. First of all, it leads to corrosion and destruction of metals, buildings and monuments (especially those built of sandstone and limestone and located in the open air).
1.2.Negative impact of human activities on the environment.
As a result of human activity, significant amounts of sulfur compounds enter the atmosphere, mainly in the form of sulfur dioxide. Among the sources of these compounds, the first place is coal burned in buildings and power plants, which produces 70% of anthropogenic emissions. The sulfur content (several percent) in coal is quite high (especially in brown coal). During the combustion process, sulfur turns into sulfur dioxide, and some of the sulfur remains in the ash in a solid state.
Sources of sulfur dioxide formation can also be individual industries industries, mainly metallurgical, as well as enterprises for the production of sulfuric acid and oil refining. In transport, pollution by sulfur compounds is relatively insignificant; there, first of all, it is necessary to take into account nitrogen oxides.
Thus, every year, as a result of human activity, 60-70 million tons of sulfur enters the atmosphere in the form of sulfur dioxide. A comparison of natural and anthropogenic emissions of sulfur compounds shows that humans pollute the atmosphere with gaseous sulfur compounds twice as much as occurs in nature.
In addition, these compounds are concentrated in areas with developed industry, where anthropogenic emissions are several times higher than natural ones, i.e. mainly in Europe and North America.
Among anthropogenic sources The formation of nitrogen oxides comes first from the combustion of fossil fuels (Coal, oil, gas, etc.). During combustion as a result of the occurrence high temperature Nitrogen and oxygen in the air combine. The amount of nitrogen oxide NO formed is proportional to the combustion temperature. In addition, nitrogen oxides are formed as a result of combustion of nitrogen-containing substances present in the fuel. By burning fuel, people annually emit 12 million tons of nitrogen oxides into the air. Slightly less nitrogen oxide (8 million tons per year) comes from engines internal combustion. Industry, which emits 1 million tons of nitrogen oxide into the air annually, is not a serious source of pollution compared to heating and transport. Thus, at least 37% of the nearly 56 million tons of annual nitrogen oxide emissions come from anthropogenic sources. This percentage, however, will be higher if we add biomass combustion products to this. Consequently, in general, the amounts of natural and artificial emissions are approximately the same, but the latter, like emissions of sulfur compounds, are concentrated in limited areas of the Earth.
1.3. Methods of protection against acid rain.
Most effective way protection should be considered a significant reduction in emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. This can be achieved in several ways, including by reducing energy use and creating power plants that do not use fossil fuels. Other options for reducing emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere are removing sulfur from fuel using filters and regulating combustion processes.
It would be best to use low sulfur fuel. However, there are very few such types of fuel. Removing sulfur from fuel oil and coal is a very complex and expensive process, and as a result, only 30-50% of the sulfur is released.
The amount of nitrogen oxide that is formed during combustion depends on the combustion temperature. It has been revealed that the lower the combustion temperature, the less nitrogen oxide is produced; moreover, the amount of NO depends on the time the fuel is in the combustion zone and on the excess air. Thus, by appropriate changes in technology, the amount of pollutant emitted can be reduced.
2. Rainwater is an indicator of air pollution.
During the work, 3 water samples were examined. The collection of each of them was carried out in the area of house No. 36 on Evseviev Street in Saransk (private development) in the following way: a container was installed at a distance of about 1 meter from the ground, above which there was nothing (trees, roofs of houses, etc.). Then collected water poured into clean containers, noting the date of collection and wind direction.
2.1. Determination of pH of the medium.
pH was determined using the “Universal Ionometer EV-74” device.
2.2.Qualitative analysis of rainwater.
For qualitative reactions a certain amount of rainwater under study was selected for various ions, and, creating necessary conditions, added the required reagent.
When a solution of BaCl2 in HCl was added to this sample, a slight turbidity of the solution was observed, which indicates a low content of sulfate ions in the solution under study.
The presence of NO3- ions was determined by the addition of diphenylamine (C6H5NHC6H5) in the presence of sulfuric acid. The solution was purchased Blue colour, which indicates the presence of nitrate ions.
To determine chloride ions in the water sample under study, a solution of AgNO3 in the medium was added nitric acid. The solution became slightly cloudy. This shows that chlorine ions are present in small quantities.
To determine mercury ions (Hg2+), a solution of SnCl2 was added. A white precipitate was observed, which indicates the content of mercury ions in the water.
How can melt and rainwater be used? What properties and qualities of these liquids give them healing qualities and such popularity. Features of the melt composition aquatic environment. The benefits of drinking this type of liquid. How to obtain melt water at home. What properties does rainwater have? Benefits of rainwater environment. Since ancient times, it was believed that melt and rainwater have healing properties. What properties and quality do they have? modern varieties these aquatic environments? And are they as useful as they used to be? You will learn all this from our article.
Features of the meltwater environment
The main difference between a melted water environment and a normal one is that it contains practically no impurities, as well as the type of water called “heavy” (it contains a deuterium isotope instead of a hydrogen atom).
The properties of melt water are a cross between ordinary drinking liquid and a distilled aqueous medium. It has a very beneficial effect on our body, helping to cleanse it, but does not desalt it like distilled liquid.
It is not recommended to heat melt water above 37 degrees, otherwise it will lose its biological activity. It must be stored refrigerated. At room temperature After a few hours, the melted water environment loses half of its beneficial qualities.
Melt water is essentially the same melted snow. Only nowadays it is very difficult to find clean snow. You can prepare melt water at home from ordinary ice.
How is melt water useful?
Proper melt water has many useful qualities:
- This aquatic environment accelerates the recovery process of our body.
- Thanks to melt water, it is possible to increase immunity.
- The tone of the bronchopulmonary system is normalized.
- Water increases the activity of the body, increases strength, endurance, adds energy and vigor.
- If you regularly drink melt water, mental activity increases and labor productivity increases.
- The need for sleep decreases due to vigor and increased energy.
- Melt water can be drunk at therapeutic fasting, as well as during fasting days.
- Water reduces the risk of vascular thrombosis, increases their tone, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Water is useful for thrombosis and varicose veins. It helps you heal faster.
- Regular drinking of melt water lowers cholesterol levels and improves metabolic processes.
How to make melt water?
The quality of melt water is so beneficial that many people decide to drink it regularly, especially since preparing such a healing liquid is not difficult. The basic principle of obtaining a melted water medium is based on the fact that when freezing, a pure liquid freezes first, and a composition with a high salt content and a high concentration of impurities freezes at the end.
To prepare meltwater at home, you can use traditional tap water:
- Water is poured into a clean glass or plastic container with a wide top (a saucepan, for example) to 85% of total volume to prevent the dishes from breaking when frozen.
- Then the container is closed with a lid and placed in the freezer on a layer of cardboard so that the bottom does not freeze immediately.
- As soon as a thin layer of ice forms on the surface of the water, it must be removed and thrown away, since heavy components of the aquatic environment freeze there.
- Place the rest of the liquid in the refrigerator again and freeze by half its volume.
- We drain the unfrozen water and melt the ice - this is the same useful melted water environment. Melt water has no color, that is, it is a transparent, clean liquid.
Properties of rainwater environment
The rainwater environment was considered beneficial because it contains a minimum amount of impurities that negatively affect human body. But if you consider that this water evaporates with earth's surface and at the same time constantly moving, then it falls into a cloud different water, including those that are collected in regions with unfavorable environmental conditions. Therefore, now it is impossible to say that there are no harmful impurities in rainwater, rather the opposite.
That is why it can be argued that natural melt and rain waters in their composition depend on the environmental situation at the place of cloud formation. We all know the so-called acid rain, which is formed when rainwater reacts with nitrogen or sulfur.
In this regard, we can say that ancient advice about the benefits of rainwater is outdated in our time. Now you can not only drink such water, but also wash your face and wash clothes in it. Even if your region is favorable ecological situation, you can never predict over what area of the earth a cloud has formed that will rain over you. If it is a large industrial metropolis, then rainwater can cause harm.
Benefits of rainwater
It was not by chance that rain water, like melt water from glaciers, was previously considered useful. She had the following positive properties:
- By washing with rainwater, women were able to rejuvenate their skin.
- If you wash your hair with this water, you can restore the structure and improve the quality of your hair.
- Thanks to rainwater, it is possible to restore water balance body, eliminate excessive dryness and tightness of the skin.
- With regular washing, you can smooth out small wrinkles.
- It was recommended to collect water in a non-metallic container and wash it in the morning and evening.
Of course, to judge the purity of rainwater, you can analyze such water. This check you can order from our independent laboratory. To do this, you need to contact us at the indicated telephone numbers. The cost of the inspection will be clarified when you call the manager.