Rainwater management
Drinking water, a limited resource
Our drinking water reserves are indispensable to life for us all and must therefore be secured for the future. The quantity of water wasted by excessive consumption and the demonstrable increased burden on groundwater in different regions caused by increased pollution has shown in the past few years, particularly clearly in the Hesse region of Germany, that drinking water is even nowadays no longer readily available everywhere in unlimited amounts. For this reason, it is vitally important for us all that our drinking water reserves are conserved and used in a responsible manner.
Drinking water treatment is becoming more and more expensive
The ecological consequences of the deterioration of new groundwater formation through large-area surface sealing, the draining of agricultural land and the unchecked removal of groundwater can already be felt everywhere. Wells are becoming salty, wetlands are becoming damaged, springs drying up and houses becoming cracked as the level of groundwater drops. Treatment of groundwater to produce high-quality drinking water is becoming more and more complicated and expensive.
Reduce costs
Compared with other countries, water prices in Germany are already among the most expensive. In 2006 consumers had to pay an average of 1.33 euros for one cubic metre of drinking water from the public water supply. The increasing deterioration of groundwater quality and the related increase in the costs of treatment will cause charges to rise in future, too. The new precipitation water charge introduced in some local authority areas can be reduced or cancelled altogether where rainwater is used and allowed to seep away.
Save 50% drinking water
The illustration on the left clearly shows: Domestic consumers can save around 50% of water costs if collected rainwater is used in addition to the mains water. The principe is extremely simple: Instead of allowing the rainwater to flow away unused, it is first filtered and then collected in a cistern. It can then be used conveniently and for many purposes even on dry days. Rainwater is suitable for watering the garden and also inside the house for the washing machine, for cleaning purposes and for flushing the toilet. Rainwater avoids lime scale deposits in household equipment and also protects the washing machine. Anywhere where drinking water quality is not required, rainwater can be used whilst still retaining levels of hygiene and convenience. Numerous commercial and industrial applications are conceivable. In addition to the sanitation area and for watering lawns / garden areas, the service water can also be used for washing and cleaning processes, air-conditioning plants as as process water.
Practical experience so far has clearly demonstrated that rainwater can be used in domestic, industrial and public sectors without hesitation - providing the applicable standards and guidelines are observed.
Rainwater management systems
A rainwater management system mainly comprises the components rainwater storage tank, rainwater filter and pumping station.
KESSEL supplies these components as a complete package in garden watering and household use versions, as well as in the form of individual components. These can be combined as required.
Polymer rainwater storage tanks
The advantages compared to concrete tanks are obvious:
- Low weight (reducing costs for transport and installation)
- Smooth inner and outer walls (straightforward cleaning, long-term high-quality water quality)
- Physiologically flawless material
