Catchment Maintenance 101

The quality of our water is a direct link to the quality of our health.

It is very important that those using water from a rainwater catchment system understand all of the potential benefits and dangers. In Hawai‘i, there are no government agencies overseeing the safety of your catchment system. It is up to you as the owner or user of the system to know how to maintain the water source and use it in a manner appropriate for yourself and your family.

A well-designed rainwater harvesting system should be easy to use and requires maintenance. Routine maintenance of a rainwater harvesting system is needed to preserve proper system functioning. A lack of maintenance can lead to poor water quality, decreased water supply, pathogen infestation, and ultimately poor overall health for the rainwater harvest systems as well as the health of the consumer. Maintenance plan starts from the collection surface (rooftop) and goes all the way to the faucet.

The sources of contamination that threaten water quality can be biological, chemical, or metallic. Each type of contamination provides good reason why you should treat stored rainwater to disinfect or purify it. The biological threats include the various pathogens that cause diseases. Leptospirosis, giardiasis, and cryptosporidiosis are three examples of diseases that come from organisms carried in the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts of mammals; birds, reptiles, slugs and geckos may also carry some pathogens, such as those causing campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, and rat lungworm disease.

Heavy metals are the third main source of potential contamination. These primarily come from building materials leaching such elements as lead, zinc, or copper into the water. Galvanized steel can leach cadmium. Heavy metals might also come from volcanic emissions and pesticide drift. Most of the problems with heavy metals identified in Hawai‘i are associated with lead leaching from paint, nails, flashings, and other building materials. Rainwater is usually acidic and accelerates leaching of metals and various other chemicals from building materials.

Acid rain is considered acidic when it has a pH less than 5.6. Acid rain is often associated with man-made pollution, usually where burning of fossil fuels releases excessive amounts of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, but it can occur anywhere in the world. In Hawai‘i, the greatest cause of acid rain is fumes from volcanic activity. Erupting volcanoes release gases, particularly sulfur dioxide (SO2 ). In a series of reactions in the atmosphere, the SO2 combines with water molecules, forming a dilute sulfuric acid that returns to the earth as acid rain. According to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Kilauea volcano releases 350 metric tons per day of SO2 during eruptive pauses and 1850 metric tons per day during active eruption.

Acid rain affects copper piping, and the leaching reaction is greater when the pipes carry hot water. Even before copper gets to problem levels, copper leached into water can leave a blue-green stain on porcelain and fiberglass sinks and tubs. Iron leaves a brown stain, but lead is not likely to leave any discoloration. The University of Hawai'i offers subsidized water test.
For more information: www.tiloscleanwater.com/clean-water-partners.html

Acid rain caught in catchment systems does not have the opportunity to benefit from the earth’s natural buffers. The water in catchment tanks in Hawai‘i that are downwind of the volcanic plume has often had pH readings as low as 4, particularly in areas such as Kā‘ū and South Kona.

Poly Tanks Galvanized Steel tanks Whole House Disinfection

Suggested Maintenance Schedule

Please note: the information below is not the end all of maintenance for your rainwater harvest system.

What it is is common sense suggestions and offerings to highly consider.
Your health is based on access to clean pathogen free water. As a Rainwater Harvester you will have an intimate relationship with your water if you are to thrive and be healthy.
Water sustains all forms of life. Water is Life. Clean Water = health.

Rainwater Harvesters empowers self-reliance while sitting in the middle of the Pacific ocean on top of five volcanoes surrounded by the Ring of Fire where each moment matters and we are living on purpose!

Know where your water comes from. Nurture your water. Love your water.

1. Check the condition of the roof. Inspect the roof looking for debris build-up caused by vegetation that overhangs onto the roof and deteriorating / rusty roof materials. If any of these problems are found, they should be fixed and or removed. This inspection should be done monthly and after windy storms.

2. Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts monthly removing any debris as all debris will effect the water supply and lead to poor water quality. Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned a couple times a year especially after windy storms.

3. Clean and inspect the pre-tank filter and First Flush Diverter monthly. These components allows cleaner water going into the tank keeping the tank cleaner longer.

4. Inspect the storage tank monthly. Check all of the inlets and outlets to be sure there are no gaps and any openings are screened. Check around the tank for excess water which might indicate a leak. Change overflow pipe and in-take pipes nylon mesh. Look for any signs of erosion around the tank. Check around the tank lid to be sure that surface debris and runoff cannot enter the tank. Fix any problems found during this inspection immediately.

5. Check the water distribution piping and pump. Look around the distribution piping for any indications of a leak.

6. Inspect the final water treatment system and replace parts as needed. Keep a small notebook near to record filter change dates. If the rainwater harvesting system is being used indoors, additional water treatment after the storage tank is highly recommended. This treatment can include sediment filters, carbon filters, Quantum Disinfection, Class A ultraviolet lights, and more. This equipment should be checked monthly and consumable parts, such as filter cartridges and Class A ultraviolet light bulbs, quartz sleeve, should be cleaned/replaced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. In addition, if the water is used for potable uses (drinking, cooking, bathing, handwashing, etc.) the water quality should be tested annually.

Chlorine treatment according to College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Patricia Macomber recommended level of 1 ppm and chlorine test kits are recommended. The active ingredient of most household bleach products is sodium hypochlorite. Read the label to find out the sodium hypochlorite content. Do not use scented bleach or products with other types of additives. Some household bleach products contain 6 percent sodium hypochlorite. In this case, you would use 2 ounces (1⁄4 cup) per 1000 gallons during rainy periods and 4 ounces per 1000 gallons during dry periods.

Chlorine Tablets - * DO NOT USE POOL TABS WITH STABILIZER - THE STABILIZER IS CYANURIC ACID.
There are tablets made for portable water. Always look for the NSF rating!

Minerals are added to raise pH levels in your tank. By adding baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), granulated calcium carbonate (also known as calcite), or sodium carbonate (soda ash). Baking soda is probably the most common treatment used because it is easy and inexpensive to obtain. Also, baking soda acts as a neutralizer rather than just raising the pH. This means there is no worry about the pH becoming too high. According to College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Patricia Macomber, it’s difficult to say how much to use because there are many variables to each system.

When adding chlorine and/or baking soda dissolve them in water and pour into the tank, stirring it around as much as possible.

Neutral water has a pH of 7.0. A great range to be in is 6.5–8.5. It is good to keep the pH above 6.0 to reduce leaching, particularly if there is metal in the system. Drinking acidic water one should be mindful of dental health.

Water Testing for Private Water Supplies

If your drinking water does not come from a public water system, or you get your drinking water from a household well or rainwater you alone are responsible for ensuring that it is safe. For this reason, routine testing for a few of the most common contaminants is highly recommended. Even if you currently have a safe, pure water supply, regular testing can be valuable because it establishes a record of water quality. This record is helpful in solving any future problems.

For more information on local Hawai'i water testing:
www.tiloscleanwater.com/clean-water-partners.html

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