JR Project

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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING


CSE/16/16
PETER COLLINS ODEKE
TASK: FINAL YEAR PROJECT
TITLE: RAINWATER FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR MOI UNIVERSITY STAGE AREA
ABSTRACT
The rainwater harvesting system is an eco-friendly solution that reduces surface runoff and
supports sustainable urban water resource management. One of its components is the water
filtration system, which helps ensure high-quality harvested rainwater. To ensure the cost
effectiveness of the project,a filtration system made from locally available inexpensive materials
will be used. The materials include sand,gravel and charcoal. The gravel layer is to aid in
removing large particles and debris, the sand layer removes finer particles and helps to settle any
sediment and the charcoal layer removes dissolved organic matter, chemicals and impurities and
also helps with odor control. Three analyses for the evaluation of the filtered water will be
done,these are: physiochemical analysis,physical analysis and bacteriology analysis. The
physiochemical analysis involves measurement of the pH level. Physical analysis entails
color,smell and taste of the rainwater after the filtration. Bacteriological analysis deals with the
total coliforms count
INTRODUCTION
The access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for human survival. Although a small
portion of the world's water, 2.5%, is considered fresh water, only a minute amount of this,
0.01%, is fit for human consumption. This availability of fresh water is being threatened as
pollution and population increase and the amount of fresh water decreases over time. Hence, it's
crucial to locate and protect fresh water sources such as watersheds to address this impending
crisis. Water plays a significant role in daily household activities. Many individuals heavily rely
on piped water for various tasks such as bathing, laundry, cooking, etc. The majority of the water
used originates from protected watersheds, however, as demand continues to escalate, these
sources of fresh water are rapidly diminishing.
One of the measures that can be applied in trying to curb the freshwater problem is putting into
effective use rainwater that is obtained during a storm event. The water can be put to different
uses including drinking. In order to achieve this potable standard, there is need for filtration of
the rainwater as its quality can deteroriate due to:
1. Contaminants from the catchment surface: Rainwater can pick up contaminants from the roof or
other surfaces it falls on, such as bird droppings, debris, chemicals, and pollutants.
2. Chemical reactions: Chemicals used in construction or roofing materials can dissolve and mix
with rainwater, making it harmful to drink.
3. Microorganisms: Harvested rainwater can contain harmful microorganisms such as bacteria,
viruses, and parasites, which can make it unsafe for drinking.
4. Poor storage: Poorly maintained storage containers, such as tanks or barrels, can lead to the
growth of bacteria, algae, and other harmful organisms, resulting in contaminated water.
To ensure that harvested rainwater remains safe for drinking, it's crucial to implement proper
filtration and disinfection methods,
The goal of this project is to increase the utilization of rainwater to the same level as tap water by
creating a system that can collect rainwater from a house's roof and gutter and filter it to make it
safe and usable. The objective of this research is to design and build a prototype of such a system
with a built-in filtration chamber. The aim of this study is to enhance our use of rainwater,
provide households with a new source of clean water, and reduce our reliance on piped water
from shrinking protected watersheds, ultimately helping conserve water.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Kenya is a water stressed country,and therefore finding new ways to get clean and usable water
should be prioritized. This project aims to give detailed information on how rainwater,a ‘free’
resource can be made to suit normal human water requirements,including drinking.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY


The main goal of this study is to design a system that collects rainwater from the roof and gutter
of a house and includes a built-in filtration chamber.

The specific objectives are:

 To design and build a prototype for collecting, filtering, storing, and distributing rainwater.
 To design and construct a filtration chamber for the rainwater.
 To perform a rainwater analysis for physical, chemical, and bacteriological properties.
 To assess the viability of the filtration chamber.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY


The objective of this project is to assist individuals in conserving water while maximizing their
water supply. The research aims to demonstrate that rainwater can be used similarly to tap water
through the implementation of a simple filtration system using readily available materials.
The proposed prototype is designed to be suitable for typical household environments and will
transform rainwater into a clean, usable form that can be utilized in the same manner as tap
water. Additionally, it will serve as an emergency source of water in the event of a sudden water
outage. The study will also bring benefits to small businesses, providing them with a temporary
emergency water supply in case of a water interruption.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY


The research project aims to design a complete rainwater harvesting system, which involves
collecting, filtering, storing, and distributing rainwater. The filtration chamber, the central
component of the design, will be based on research, experimentation, expert suggestions, and
lectures. The final result will be presented as a basic prototype, not the complete system. The
emphasis is on designing an effective filtration chamber to determine the quality and usability of
the water.
LITERATURE REVIEW
RAINWATER HARVESTING
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting water that falls on surfaces such as buildings,
roads, and pathways, which would otherwise soak into the ground or be directed into storm
sewage systems. It can be used for various purposes such as watering plants, washing vehicles,
or, if the water quality is good, washing clothes. In some countries, such as Australia, rainwater
harvesting is common and even includes rainwater treatment plants that turn it into drinking
water. However, in others, such as the UK, there are strict guidelines for drinking water, limiting
the use of rainwater. In developing countries, rainwater is often used as a source of drinking
water.

Rainwater harvesting systems can be simple or complex, and typically consist of a catchment
area to collect the water, a conduit to transport the water to a storage tank, and a storage tank or
reservoir to hold the water for future use. The water must also be treated and filtered to maintain
its quality. Rainwater harvesting reduces dependence on primary sources of drinking water and
may benefit individual households if water usage is metered.

WATER FILTRATION AND TREATMENT


Water filtration is a process that removes suspended solids, sludge, or flocs from water by
straining, sedimentation, and interfacial contact, transferring these particles onto granular
materials like sand or coal (Shammas and Wang, 2016). Filters can be classified by the type of
medium used (e.g. sand, coal, dual media, mixed media), the nominal filtration rate or hydraulic
loading rate, or the level of pre-treatment (Davis, 2010).

Water treatment can be divided into three categories: purification for domestic use, treatment for
specialized industrial applications, and treatment of wastewater for release or reuse (Manahan,
2011). The primary treatment typically involves sedimentation to remove floating and settled
materials from wastewater. Advanced primary treatment involves adding chemicals to enhance
the removal of suspended solids and dissolved solids (Metcalf and Eddy, 2003). The type and
degree of treatment required depend on the end use of the water. For example, cooling water may
require minimal treatment, while boiler feed water must remove corrosive substances and scale-
forming solutes, and water used in food processing must be free of pathogens and toxic
substances. Effective water treatment at minimal cost is critical for industrial use (Manahan,
2011).
RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM: QUALITY AND IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH
Rainwater harvesting is a low impact development practice that can be used as a primary or
secondary water source and is used in both rural and urban areas (Tamimi, 2016). It can relieve
pressure on public water supply systems and promote better public practices. The level of
adaptation of rainwater harvesting varies depending on the level of public awareness and
support, including legislative, technical, and financial support. The WHO recommends using
rainwater harvesting as a safe source of drinking water after proper treatment.
DESIGN OF STORAGE TANK
The volume of the storage tank can be determined by the following factors:
1.Number of persons in the household - The greater the number of persons, the greater the
storage capacity required to achieve efficiency of fewer people under the same roof area
2.Per capita water requirement – This varies from household to household based on habits and
from season to season. Consumption rate has an impact on the storage system design as well as
the duration to which stored rainwater can last.
3.Average annual rainfall
4.Period of water scarcity – A part from the total rainfall, the pattern of the rainfall – whether
evenly distributed through the year or concentrated in certain periods will determine storage
requirement. The more distributed the pattern, the lesser the size.
5.Type and size of the catchment – Type of roofing material determines the selection of the
runoff coefficient for designs. Size could be assessed by measuring the area cover by the
catchment i.e. the length and horizontal width. The larger the catchment, the larger the size of the
required tank.
6. Water usage patterns – Knowing when water is needed the most will impact the size of the tank.
If peak usage occurs during dry months, larger storage tanks are needed.
7. Quality of stored water – If stored water is going to be used for drinking, a larger tank may be
needed to allow for adequate treatment before use.
8. Cost considerations – Budget is a crucial factor in determining the size of the tank. Larger tanks
are more expensive to construct and maintain, but they allow for more stored water and longer
periods between refilling.

The shape of the storage tank also affects its efficiency. Round or cylindrical tanks have a
smaller surface area-to-volume ratio and are more cost-effective to construct. Rectangular or
square tanks are better for limited spaces but have a larger surface area-to-volume ratio, which
increases evaporation and algae growth.

Finally, the material used to construct the tank is also important. Concrete and brick tanks are
durable but expensive, while plastic tanks are lighter and less expensive but have a shorter
lifespan. Choosing the right material depends on the intended use and budget.

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