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<div class="col-md-8">{{TOClimit|2}}{{TextBox|1=Rainwater harvesting is an ideal technology for: <p><strong>Additional components may include:</strong></div>
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STEP Minto Cistern P1 - Copy.jpg| Rainwater harvesting is commonly employed on zero-lot-line projects like downtown condos. This cast in place concrete vault in one corner of the parking level is a typical design.
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This article is about large, integrated rainwater harvesting systems. For smaller, seasonal, outdoor, residential systems, see [[Rain barrels]]
This article is about large, integrated rainwater harvesting systems. For smaller, seasonal, outdoor, residential systems, see [[Rain barrels]]
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==Overview==
==Overview==
[[File:STEP Minto Cistern P1 - Copy.jpg|thumb|Rainwater harvesting is commonly employed on zero-lot-line projects like downtown condos. This cast in place concrete vault in one corner of the parking level is a typical design.]]
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the ancient practice of collecting and storing precipitation for later use. Although Ontario is a region with relatively abundant fresh water, RWH is increasing in popularity for a number of reasons:
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the ancient practice of collecting and storing precipitation for later use. Although Ontario is a region with relatively abundant fresh water, RWH is increasing in popularity for a number of reasons:
*The simplicity of selecting and installing a system, owing to improvements in the technology and the development of a local industry,
*The simplicity of selecting and installing a system, owing to improvements in the technology and the development of a local industry,
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*Increasing transparency of storm sewer costs in some municipalities, and
*Increasing transparency of storm sewer costs in some municipalities, and
*Increasing utility rates for potable water supply.
*Increasing utility rates for potable water supply.
<blockquote>Rainwater harvesting is an ideal technology for:
*Sites which cannot infiltrate water owing to contaminated soils or shallow bedrock,
*Sites which cannot infiltrate water owing to contaminated soils or shallow bedrock,
*Zero-lot-line developments such as condos or dense urban infill, or conversely
*Zero-lot-line developments such as condos or dense urban infill, or conversely
*Projects with extensive gardens and landscapes which would benefit from free irrigation water.}}
*Projects with extensive gardens and landscapes which would benefit from free irrigation water.</blockquote>
<p><strong>The fundamental components of a rainwater harvesting system are:</strong>
<strong>The fundamental components of a rainwater harvesting system are:</strong>
*the catchment area where the rain lands (e.g. rooftop),
*the catchment area where the rain lands (e.g. rooftop),
*a screen or filter to remove coarse debris (mostly leaves),
*a screen or filter to remove coarse debris (mostly leaves),
*a cistern which will store the collected rainwater and preserve its quality,
*a cistern which will store the collected rainwater and preserve its quality,
*the connecting pipe network including roof drains. </p>
*the connecting pipe network including roof drains.
<strong>Additional components may include:</strong>
*pumps to lift water to higher elevations, depending on the layout of the components,
*pumps to lift water to higher elevations, depending on the layout of the components,
*additional water filtration and treatment, depending on the intended use of the water. </p>
*additional water filtration and treatment, depending on the intended use of the water.
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