How to store rainwater easily

Rainwater recovery is an increasingly popular activity, because more and more people are aware of the interest of collecting rainwater. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it also offers many other advantages: it allows you to water the garden for free and helps to face drought situations when the reserves of groundwater and surface are exhausted.

This is why we have gathered 7 tips to help you store easily and without nuisance the rainwater you collect.

Choose the rainwater storage system suitable for your use and your budget

The first thing to do to avoid problems is to choose a water tank suitable for your need.

If you plan to use rainwater only to water a small vegetable garden, the garden tanks And the IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container (Intermediate Bulk, translated: large container for bulk) tanks may be enough. For a volume of 1000 liters of rainwater used every 15 days in summer for 70 m² Cultivated, an IBC tank is suitable, and can be connected in a network with another IBC tank if necessary. Remember to install a tap to simplify the use of your tank.

To store a larger amount of water, you can choose between a buried tankaflexible tank or even dig a basin. This type of installation is suitable for high needs such as:

• watering a large garden,
• the supply of water hunts.

Flexible tanks are effective in storing large amounts of water, and must generally be connected to a pumping system. Whatever your choice, make sure you seal the system to avoid leaks.

The importance of a suitable and unusual capacity

Make sure to choose a capacity that corresponds to your need so that you can empty it regularly without having to waste water.

Indeed, a too large tank will never empty and the water will eventually smell bad. You will then have to empty it and spoil your precious harvested water.

Choosing a suitable capacity allows you to spend the right price while avoiding problems in the future.

Protect your rainwater tank from insects, especially mosquitoes

This point is crucial to avoid the health risks and the inconvenience of mosquito bites. If in some regions of the world, they do not pose any concern, for most gardeners, these insects reproduce quickly in stagnant waters. It is therefore essential to avoid having an open tank.

Here are some of the best tips to avoid having mosquitoes in a reserve of water presented in this complete guide edited by the Recharteurdeaudepluie.net site:

• If your barrel has no cover, there are several solutions to remedy it, such as the manufacture or adaptation of a lid, the installation of a mosquito net, a net or a veil, or the recycling of old curtains. Make sure to make all potential entries.
• You can also use vegetable oil (olive, sunflower, rapeseed, etc.) to suffocate the larvae.
• Finally, and to guarantee additional protection, add a few pieces of coals to your tank to keep water clean. The mosquitoes do not appreciate it by because the water then contains no nutrients.

Do not underestimate this point because in addition to the nuisance of bites, mosquitoes are increasingly representing a health risk, including in France. According to the Sante.gouv.fr website, in 2022 we identified 65 cas of dnude (tropical disease characterized by the sudden appearance of a fever greater than 38.5 ° C and by joint pain) native In 5 different foci in the PACA, Occitanie and Corsica regions!

Empty and regularly clean your rainwater reserve

Stagnant water can cause the proliferation of mosquitoes, bacteria and other harmful organisms, especially if it has been left to rest for a while.

You should empty and replace your reserve water at least once every six months or more often. This will not only refresh the water, but also to eliminate all the pests that may have prospered in the tank.

To clean your equipment, you can use a brush and a bucket of water, but the most practical is to use a Karcher cleaner. If you use chemicals (bleach or other), be sure to rinse the tank well before using it again.

Keep in mind that it is not necessary to empty the tank during winter periods if temperatures remain fresh, because organisms have more difficulty developing in cold water.

Install a filtration system to ensure that stored rainwater is clean

Filters are essential elements and can be installed in different places in your rainwater recovery system.

It is first of all necessary to install a filter at the top of the gutter descent to prevent large particles from contaminating the water which is stored. For example, you can opt for a toad (grid that stops waste at the entrance to a descent pipe or a tank).

A second thinner filter must then be installed just before the water enters the rainwater recovery, at the collector.

It is important to check and clean these filters frequently to avoid accumulations and traffic jams. By correctly installing filters, you can ensure that stored water is clean.

Make sure your water storage system is firmly held in place

It is crucial to fix your water tank well to prevent it from overthrowing, sliding or falling. A tank of 1000 liters filled weighs more than a ton, so provide a solid structure.

If you live in an area subject to strong winds, it is advisable to fix the system to a wall or an anchoring on the floor for greater safety. Do not underestimate the importance of a solid fixation, as it can avoid many hassles in the future.

Regularly clean your roof

To maintain clean rain water, it is important to ensure its purity upstream. To do this, it is essential to ensure the cleanliness of the entire collection network starting with your roof and your gutters.

It is advisable to regularly inspect your roof to remove all the plant debris and the foams that can accumulate there, and to wash it with high pressure cleaner from time to time.

For your gutters, more frequent attention is in order: an accumulation of sheets can quickly occur. To reduce risk, it is also recommended to cut the branches of nearby trees in order to limit the presence of leaves in the gutters.

Choose a black rain water recovery or make it opaque to prevent the appearance of algae

In order to prevent the growth of algae and other substances in your water tanks, it is recommended to completely prevent light from entering it.

A transparent 1000 -liter tank is particularly subject to this problem. To remedy it, there are several solutions:

• Paint it in black or brown,
• surround it with a black plastic film or a dark tarpaulin, or
• Build a wooden formwork around it.

Note that it is also possible to buy a black plastic tank directly.

However, it is important to keep in mind that these solutions can cause an increase in water temperature, which is conducive to the proliferation of mosquitoes and bacteria.

To remedy it, nothing like installing a climbing plant or protecting your tank by a wooden formwork.