GB2439737A

GB2439737A - Rainwater collection device

Info

Publication number: GB2439737A
Application number: GB0613166A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Joseph Wigley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-01
Filing date: 2006-07-01
Publication date: 2008-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-01
Also published as: GB0613166D0; GB2439737B

Abstract

Arrangements whereby the pressure of the head of rainwater from building roof gutter level is captured to facilitate pressurised distribution of retained rainwater. High-level water tanks are disclosed that form complimentary architectural adjuncts to abutting buildings that do not impede pedestrian circulation around the building. Air tight low level and below ground level rainwater storage tanks fed by a water tight downpipe with water head and pressure retained by means of a non return pressure valve are also disclosed.

Description

Improvements to rainwater retention and reuse The conventional method

of rainwater retention in relation to water off buildings is the water butt situated at or near ground level.

Because this is low level and thus low-pressure distribution of this water is mainly by hand, buckets, watering cans etc. The improvements herein described are to provide for rainwater storage under higher pressure to facilitate more effective distribution by hosepipe especially for higher areas of gardens, patios, hanging baskets, window boxes and for instance cleaning a car.

This involves two methods of water retention that may be employed separately or in conjunction with one another.

The first is to retain the water at a higher level, up to the gutter discharge level of the building to provide higher water pressure, the second is for lower level water retention in air tight containers, at or near ground level or below ground wherein the pressure of the head of water up to gutter level is captivated to retain pressure in the storage tank to assist hosepipe distribution.

The obvious solution would be simply to raise the water buttltank higher up to the gutter level, but this would be unsightly, could affect views and opening from windows, and have an adverse effect on house values, also there is, especially in more modern dense housing layout, a problem in sighting water butts/tanks alongside houses. Generally houses have most windows and doors in the front and rear elevation with the side/gable elevations, although mostly free of windows, being narrow and requiring free access for car and pedestrians.

The improvement herein described is a preferred embodiment of higher rainwater retention, designed to address and overcome these problems particularly retaining free pedestrian access around the building. Generally, the most appropriate location for substantial raised rainwater storage will be the metre or so gap for back door/garden access left between houses which is usually a largely blank gable wall.

Drawing No 1 fig I illustrates such a preferred embodiment.

Water tanks are held above head level abutting this gable wall. It is envisaged that the tanks would be of plastic, fibre glass or similar material. To tone in with the abutting building it is envisaged that exterior finish may be a brickwork simulation and colouring or render or stone finish simulation as appropriate.

These tanks would be largely self-supporting on pillars I which would supporby arch or lintel,the overhead tanks. Although these tanks would be largely self supporting and not impose loading on the building structure it is envisaged that they may be laterally stabalised by stays or brackets 2 to the building wall.

To standardise manufacture and to utilise available space along the wall it is envisaged that larger tanks will be repeat modules of one standard. This will require a coupling pipe connection3 just below the head of the tanks to provide for overfloe filling from on to the another, also there will be a need for an overflow pipe 4 above these interconnecting pipes and below gutter infill level 5. This overflow pipe may be built in and internal.

It is envisaged that each tank module will have a low level recessed discharge tap iat the lower level of one pillar. By this coupling arrangement of multiple modules, decanting when full to the next, a choice of water pressure will be available and maximum pressure can be reserved for the higher watering task such as hanging baskets and window boxes.

Preferable, for ease of installation,fj each tank module will be provided as one complete assembly. If not, say for transport and handling ease, it is envisage that the supporting pillar and arch/lintel assembly may be separate from the overhead tank which will require the lower discharge tap connection to be done on site as well as the higher level interconnection.

It is envisaged that the tanks will be of one formation although they may be segments placed one on another, which would require a water seal connection.

To provide strength and rigidity the tanks may have internal ribs and cross braces.

Although a plain white or green or other colour may be appropriate on some buildings and locations by stimulating the elevation finish of the abutting building, whether brick, stone or render etc it is envisaged they will be seen as architectural abutments and be more acceptable to owner, neighbours and planners as a result.

Also the outer surface of the pillars and tanks may embody loops, hooks or similar devices to enable climbing plants to grow up them.

Whilst the preferred embodiment shows the tanks positioned on the side elevation of a building they may be positioned anywhere around a building as appropriate.

The second method of pressured rainwater retention which may be used in conjunction with the aforementioned raised water tanks, is to provide air tight container/containers at or near ground level or to avoid access of window/door obstruction etc below ground level which by means of aforementioned tanks or a watertight down pipe and a non-return pressure valve induces pressure to the stored water.

A preferred embodiment is herein described and illustrated on drawing No 1 fig 2.

A large volume airtight tank 6 is situated at or near ground level or below ground level perhaps completely buried.

Incoming rainwater via a large diameter water tight down pipe or aforementioned tank/tanks enter this tank/tanks via a non-return pressure valvThe pressure valve is calibrated to release water into the container under full pressure i.e. the pressure of the height of the water up to gutter discharge therefore retaining a constant head of water in the downpipe/aforementioned tank. When additional water enters the downpipe/tank the pressure valve opens and water enters the air tight tank under pressure.

A pressure release valve 8 is situated in the top of the air tight tank calibrated to maintain and balance the pressure within the tank with the incoming water pressure thus maintain optimum pressure whilst allowing for incoming water.

An overflow pipe 9, (for when both air tight tank/tank and downpipe are full) just above the pressure release height of the retained water in the downpipe/tank but below the gutter discharge level would be required which may overflow into a conventional water butt or drain.

In periods of drought when the header downpipe/tank is exhausted and the pressure in the air-tight tank is exhausted but water still retained, a hand or mechanical/electrical air pump may be fitted/employed to pressurise the remaining water. The widely available electric air pumps for blowing up car tyres may be satisfactory for this purpose.

It is envisaged that in new houses and existing houses with larger gardens and access for a digger, burying a large storage tank similar to existing septic tanks would be a preferred solution, where the induced natural pressure or applied air pressure would provide a trouble free and maintenance free operation as against, for instance use of a submersible electric pump with the dangers and problems associated.

In existing houses a choice of, or combination of the arrangements aforementioned would optimise rainwater retention compatible with siting, access, etc. Another position for a storage tank would be a large flat tank under patio decking.

Claims

CLAIMS

I. A arrangement whereby the head of rainwater from building roofs is captured to retain that height pressure.

2. A arrangement of high level rainwater storage that does not impede pedestrian circulation around the abutting building.

3. A high level water container as in claim 2 that appears as an architectural adjunct to the abutting building.

4. An arrangement as in claim 1 whereby by means of a non return pressure valve and air tight containers the pressure of that bead of water can be introduced and retained to facilitate pressure distribution of that water.

S