Slate tank for rainwater storage systems

ABSTRACT

In the context of increasing pressure, in quantitative and qualitative aspects, on water resources, the development of appropriate technologies for rainwater harvesting systems emerges as a promising alternative. This paper aims to present an innovative technology for building rainwater storage tanks in western Santa Catarina. It presents a slate tank with a capacity of 250 m³, which is part of a rainwater harvesting system implanted on a pig production in western Santa Catarina (Brazil). In this system, the rainwater is used for livestock drinking and to sanitation farms. It also presents, with less focus, rainwater treatment devices developed in this research project. A comparative analysis of costs between this tank and commonly used tanks in the study area was realized. Physico-chemical and bacteriological tests of rainwater were done in different parts of the system in order to check if the water quality is suitable for the intended uses. This technology showed speed and ease construction and low cost of implementation. The slate plaque, besides serving as a form to ferrocement layer, it’s a natural and abundant material in the central region of Santa Catarina. The physical-chemical and bacteriological tests displayed the efficiency of the rainwater treatment devices applied in this research project. Finally, it was noted that rainwater is suitable for animal consumption, since it observed the conditions and standards for waters of Class 3 of CONAMA Resolution 357. Thus, this new technology has great potential for application and economic viability for the study area.

Keywords:
rainwater; slate tank; rainwater quality