GB2463933A

GB2463933A - A rainwater underground collection tank

Info

Publication number: GB2463933A
Application number: GB0817953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Edward Louis Stephenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-01
Filing date: 2008-10-01
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Also published as: GB0817953D0

Abstract

The invention relates to an underground rain water collection tank comprising an underground water tank b installed without the need for deep excavation being of shallow depth relative to width and length where the top surface of the tank a is capable of drawing water to the tank intake j by means of it's shape. The catchment area may be extended with the use of additional membranes h. A main water intake j comprises a perforated vertical pipe d and a replaceable filter element g consisting of a semi permeable filtration material of plain or pleated construction that fits inside the pipe d. The filter can be cleaned, replaced or maintained from the surface for the purpose of preventing blinding of the filter membrane and can be lowered and withdrawn through pipe d.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: A Rainwater Underground Collection Tank

BACKGROUND

Water is becoming a scarcer and expensive resource and greater conservation is needed. This invention relates to a prefabricated water tank that can be buried in the ground without the need for deep excavation and therefore can sit below gardens and flowerbeds without disturbing the visual environment. However, dirt and particle will pass into the tank unless filtered but filters will clog and become blocked if not cleaned or maintained and the tank will not fill. This invention is designed to allow easy installation, good wide area collection of rainwater and the ability to filter the water prior to it entering the tank but at the same time allowing the filter to be serviced.

It has been conventionally known to bury a water tank underground and to reserve rainwater in the water tank, so as to effectively utilize the rainwater. Such tanks are used for surface water run offs to prevent pollution of water courses and for the collection of rainwater for reuse. Rainwater is collected from roofs and gutters or from ground surfaces and then piped or guided into underground tanks. These tanks are provided with a means of emptying or drawing the water to the surface by an arrangement of pumps and pipes. This surface water is contaminated with dirt and particles which need removal before the water enters the tank. Arranging the water falling on the above mentioned buildings to flow into the tank is complex and costly. Further, water may be required at some distance from buildings and therefore an alternative collection method is needed.

In domestic building gardens are of limited size and deep excavations required for underground tanks are often expensive or difficult close to structures without reinforcement. The ability to keep the excavation shallow is an important feature of this invention.

It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a method of collecting rainwater over a wide area into an underground water tank being so shaped as to draw the water towards a central inlet.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a method of filtering the rainwater in such a way to allow access to the filter for cleaning and maintenance.

It is a third object of the present invention to allow the underground tank to be easily installed in a shallow excavation and be independent of location.

Detailed description to be read in conjunction with the drawings.

A rain water collection underground tank comprising: a water tank (b) constituted to be capable of storing water therein, said water tank (b) being of shallow depth relative to width and length and buried underground where the top surface of the tank (a) is capable of drawing water to the tank intake (j) by means of it's shape (a); the bottom surface of the tank being so designed (f) to draw the water to a single point to allow the tank to be emptied by means (e) capable of drawing out the water within said water tank (b) from the aboveground position by means of a pump (i); a main water intake U) comprising.of a perforated vertical pipe (d) and a replaceable filter element (g) that can be accessed for maintenance via vertical pipe (d) the arrangement controls the ingress of organic and inorganic impurities; a one way valve (c), or series of one way valves, mounted to the top periphery of the tank for the purpose of preventing air pockets when the tank fills and preventing the ingress of water, contaminants and organisms; 2. A rain water collection underground tank of claim 1, further comprising: an extended area of collection by means of impermeable membranes (h) laid to create a fall towards the tank (b) thereby increasing the rain water collection area of the tank (b). The said membrane (h) is laid on sand or other suitable material.

3. A rainwater collection underground tank (b) which can be installed without the need for deep excavation due to the tank shape having a depth less than the width, length or circumference. 1.

4. A rainwater collection underground tank (d) that comprises of an inlet filter (g) consisting of a semi permeable filtration material of plain or pleated construction that fits the inside diameter of the perforated pipe (d) that can be cleaned, replaced or maintained from the surface for the purpose of preventing blinding of the filter membrane; that can be lowered and withdrawn through pipe (d) and seals against a shoulder (k) which forms part of the tank (b). 2.