A sand filter is an option for filtering rainwater prior to storage.Sand and gravel will remove some contaminants, and if combined with limestone, the acidic nature
of the rainwater will be neutralized.A sand filter requires backwashing regularly to discourage bacterial growth that can create a crust layer on the sand and cause clogging of the sand’s top layer. Sediment will add to the clogging. The sand
should periodically be replaced with new sand. The sand used in these filters should be washed,screened beach or quarry sand.The filter should also have a large surface area with the outlet pipe equaling the inlet pipe size.
1. Clean filter with warm soapy water or rinse well every three to six months.
2. Check that the drop from gutter remains vertical. Check to ensure that the bulk of water is landing centrally and towards the back of the leaf and debris filter screen.
3. Check for any obstructions and signs of damage to the leaf and debris filter.
First-flush devices range in size to meet the demand of the rainwater
catchment system. These diversion devices can be part of the downspout, be separate from a tank or cistern, or be attached to a tank or cistern. They can be
below grade for large stormwater collection systems, where the harvested water is used for nonpotable purposes such as landscape irrigation, carwash supply, or toilet flushing. The size and volume depend on the amount of water being diverted to a storage system and the ultimate use of the harvested water.
For any first-flush diversion device to work efficiently—especially for potable systems—the contaminated watermust be sealed off so the rainwater flowing on to the storage cistern(s) does not siphon off the contaminated water fromthe first-flush device chamber.First-flush diverters should operate on a predetermined and set volume and the contaminated water should be sealed off from the flow of clean water.
First-flush diverters that operate on an estimated open flow rate are typically accurate enough to guarantee that most bacteria have been flushed from the roof
prior to closure. Since the goal is to not waste valuable clean water,the most efficient and safest way to ensure that the appropriate amount of water is diverted is to
assess the contamination on the roof and calculate a diversion amount based on that assessment. A set pre-sized diverter chamber with a free-floating ball and seat incorporating a flow control release valve is the optimum diversion unit.
If the water diverter does not have a self-sealing device, it is best to have it drop off a horizontal length of pipe away from the downspout so that the roof water does not drop directly into the water diverter and pick up contaminants as it travels to the cistern.