Chapter 1: The Importance of Water Conservation

As Europe grapples with energy shortages due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the conversation about sustainability has become increasingly urgent. While energy conservation is critical, we must not overlook water conservation, especially in light of the alarming rates at which glaciers are melting. Glaciers serve as vital water reservoirs, supporting rivers and providing irrigation across vast regions.

To enhance water savings and bolster your home's resilience, consider installing a rainwater collection system. These systems can be connected to toilets and vary in size, accommodating anywhere from 1,000 to 15,000 liters of rainwater.

Section 1.1: Identifying Water Usage in Households

Most household freshwater consumption occurs in showers and toilets. While integrating rainwater for showers poses challenges due to the need for heated water, utilizing it for toilet flushing is straightforward. For instance, let’s examine the water usage for a family of five:

• On weekdays (Monday to Friday), each person flushes the toilet approximately four times.
• On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), each person flushes around seven times.
• Each flush consumes about 7 liters of freshwater.

This leads to a staggering annual consumption of approximately 61,880 liters solely for toilet flushing. Therefore, addressing this significant waste of freshwater should be a priority. Moreover, if you set up a rainwater system for toilets, consider linking it to outdoor taps for garden irrigation.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Installation Experience

To give you a clearer picture, I recently installed a rainwater system for my toilets and outdoor taps, using a Graf water tank.

While the installation looks pristine in catalogs, the reality can be quite different, especially when retrofitting an existing home.

Section 1.2: The Digging Process

Excavating a hole for a rainwater tank might seem simple, but for a 7,500-liter tank, you will need to dig around 15 cubic meters. The tank must be buried about one meter deep to ensure proper slope from the downpipes.

Here’s how the process began:

As we dug deeper, we encountered clay:

Once the excavation was complete, groundwater unexpectedly seeped into the hole:

We had to pump out the groundwater before placing the tank:

After positioning the tank, we filled it partially before covering it. Heavy rains that weekend caused the partially filled tank to float. Luckily, no pipes were connected yet.

To secure it, we followed the manufacturer's advice and added eight tons of concrete for stabilization:

The tank is now safely buried beneath the grass.

Chapter 2: Plumbing and Costs

A functional rainwater system requires a pump to direct water into your home's plumbing. It’s essential to separate the plumbing systems for freshwater and rainwater, ensuring that your toilets can still flush during dry spells.

This may sound simple, but it can be quite challenging when retrofitting in an existing home. Here’s a glimpse of my cramped technical facilities room where the pump was installed:

The total cost for materials and installation amounted to approximately 25,000 CHF. Although the current prices of freshwater make a rainwater system seem like an impractical investment, it’s wise to consider the future.

Reflecting on the past, I often faced skepticism for my focus on sustainability and preparedness. However, current events have confirmed the wisdom of those choices. As we think ahead to the challenges posed by climate change, investing in a rainwater system today could prove invaluable for the future.

The first video titled "How to install a rainwater collection system" provides a comprehensive guide on setting up such systems effectively.

The second video, "Collect AND store | DIY Rainwater harvesting system," offers valuable insights and practical tips for creating your own rainwater harvesting setup.

As we navigate these turbulent times, I aim to assist fellow entrepreneurs and individuals in developing resilience across all aspects of life, focusing on practical solutions without unnecessary fluff.