Page 71 - GRIHA Manual Volume IV - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 71
62 Griha Manual: Volume 4
Solution
# Rainwater harvesting (tanks, ponds, rooftop rainwater harvesting) to rebuild local water aquifers
wherever feasible and/or storage of harvested water for meeting the water requirement during
the scarcity days.
# Get out of dependence on off-site centralized STP (sewage treatment plant) and shift to
decentralized system of on-site sewage (blackwater and greywater) management. Treat the
wastewater generated at the source itself instead of conveying the same to far off places before
final disposal with/without treatment to surface source of water, which could be a potential
source of water supply downstream.
# Recycle and reuse this treated water as much as possible.
Dual plumbing systems
Dual plumbing system utilizes separate piping systems for recycled water (non-potable quality)
and potable water. The recycled water system serves non-potable uses, such as flushing toilets,
landscaping, external washing, and so on. Therefore, it has to be kept separate from the plumbing
system supplying water for potable use such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and so on.
Wastewater includes water from baths, kitchens, laundry, toilets and contains chemicals such as
soaps, shampoo, food residue, types of fat, and human excreta. Water from toilets, which contains
excreta (brown water) and urine (yellow water) is referred to as blackwater, while water from the
laundry, bathing, and kitchen sink is called greywater. The greywater constitutes about 70% of the
wastewater, which can be treated by using simple and cost-effective systems and can be reused for
landscaping, external washing or toilet flushing depending on the quality of water obtained from
the treatment plant. Once the greywater is separated, the remaining blackwater can then be treated
by decentralized systems.
Thus, if one intends to reuse the recycled water for any application as specified by the laws
and depending on the quality of the treated water, dual plumbing system becomes an essential
requirement.
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the activity of direct collection of rainwater. The rainwater collected can be
stored for direct use or can be recharged into the groundwater. Rain, being the first form of water
in the hydrological cycle, is a primary source of water and one of the cleanest forms of water. Rivers,
lakes, and groundwater are all secondary sources of water. Thus, making optimum use of rainwater
at the place where it falls is of paramount importance.
Rainwater can be harvested from rooftops, paved and unpaved areas, stormwater drains, and
water bodies. The basic components of a rainwater harvesting system include the following.
1. Catchments
The catchment of a water harvesting system is the surface, which receives rainfall directly and
contributes the water to the system. It can be rooftop, courtyard, paved area, lawn, and so on.
2. Conduits
Conduits are the pipelines or drains that carry rainwater from the catchment to the harvesting
system.
Solution
# Rainwater harvesting (tanks, ponds, rooftop rainwater harvesting) to rebuild local water aquifers
wherever feasible and/or storage of harvested water for meeting the water requirement during
the scarcity days.
# Get out of dependence on off-site centralized STP (sewage treatment plant) and shift to
decentralized system of on-site sewage (blackwater and greywater) management. Treat the
wastewater generated at the source itself instead of conveying the same to far off places before
final disposal with/without treatment to surface source of water, which could be a potential
source of water supply downstream.
# Recycle and reuse this treated water as much as possible.
Dual plumbing systems
Dual plumbing system utilizes separate piping systems for recycled water (non-potable quality)
and potable water. The recycled water system serves non-potable uses, such as flushing toilets,
landscaping, external washing, and so on. Therefore, it has to be kept separate from the plumbing
system supplying water for potable use such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and so on.
Wastewater includes water from baths, kitchens, laundry, toilets and contains chemicals such as
soaps, shampoo, food residue, types of fat, and human excreta. Water from toilets, which contains
excreta (brown water) and urine (yellow water) is referred to as blackwater, while water from the
laundry, bathing, and kitchen sink is called greywater. The greywater constitutes about 70% of the
wastewater, which can be treated by using simple and cost-effective systems and can be reused for
landscaping, external washing or toilet flushing depending on the quality of water obtained from
the treatment plant. Once the greywater is separated, the remaining blackwater can then be treated
by decentralized systems.
Thus, if one intends to reuse the recycled water for any application as specified by the laws
and depending on the quality of the treated water, dual plumbing system becomes an essential
requirement.
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the activity of direct collection of rainwater. The rainwater collected can be
stored for direct use or can be recharged into the groundwater. Rain, being the first form of water
in the hydrological cycle, is a primary source of water and one of the cleanest forms of water. Rivers,
lakes, and groundwater are all secondary sources of water. Thus, making optimum use of rainwater
at the place where it falls is of paramount importance.
Rainwater can be harvested from rooftops, paved and unpaved areas, stormwater drains, and
water bodies. The basic components of a rainwater harvesting system include the following.
1. Catchments
The catchment of a water harvesting system is the surface, which receives rainfall directly and
contributes the water to the system. It can be rooftop, courtyard, paved area, lawn, and so on.
2. Conduits
Conduits are the pipelines or drains that carry rainwater from the catchment to the harvesting
system.
