To achieve potable water, this project involves the main pipe, secondary pipe, and

Rainwater Filter. The pipes transport the components needed for filtration and its excess. The
two pipes serve different purpose in terms of the direction of rainwater. The main pipe transports
the rainwater directly to the Rainwater Filter while the excess rainwater flows through the
secondary pipe. Through the main pipe, the rainwater is then being filtered producing potable
water that is being discharged from this pipe to a storage tank. On the other hand, the excess
rainwater is being discharged through the secondary pipe.

I. GATHERING AND ASSEMBLING OF MATERIALS

a. Pipes
PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride pipes are used for this project. PVC is a solid
plastic material made from vinyl chloride. These pipes are strong, has high
resistance of moisture and corrosion, and can be an alternative for steel piping.
PVC Schedule 40 pipes are to be utilized for this project.

A PVC Tee pipe fitting connects the main pipe and secondary pipe
perpendicularly using a solvent cement. A layer of solvent cement is spread inside
the pipe fitting and outside of the main and secondary pipe, then they are held
together until the cement dries.

i. Main pipe

From the PVC Tee pipe fitting, a water meter pipe and a PVC ball
valve must be attached to the fitting. The Rainwater Filter is placed in this
certain part of the pipe. Using a PVC Cap pipe fitting, connect the part of
the pipe containing the filter to another water meter pipe and PVC ball
valve. A 0.5 m pipe must connect the end of PVC ball valve and the
opening of water storage.

ii. Secondary pipes

From the PVC Tee pipe fitting, a 0.5 m pipe is connected to this
fitting using a solvent cement. Then, a PVC 90-degree elbow pipe fitting
connects the previous pipe and a 3 m pipe directed downward to obtain a
gravity system flow. Lastly, another PVC 90-degree elbow pipe fitting is
then connected to discharge the excess rainwater.

b. Rainwater Filter
In the filter container, fine sand, coarse sand, and rocks (gravel) are poured,
accordingly. The layers of rock and coarse sand are 20-inches deep, resting on a
 10-inch fine sand filter bed above a screen filter drain system. This filter uses a
combined gravity system which will not require a pump for the distribution of
water, in which it can add to the cost.

II. INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

a. Pipes
i. Main Pipe
The main pipe consists the Rainwater Filter therefore it involves
more materials needed for the process. The main pipe is attached to the
rainwater gutter that will transport to the filter. From the rain droplet
outlet, a meter pipe is connected to the main pipe to observe and maintain
the amount of rainwater entering the main pipe. If the observed amount is
enough for filtration, a PVC ball valve connected to a meter pipe is
utilized to control the flow of rainwater entering the filter. This valve
contains a rotatable ball with a bore that is inline or perpendicular to the
piping and the flow of rainwater. The rainwater that passed through the
valve are then being filtered by the Rainwater Filter inside the main pipe.
After filtration, the amount of filtered water is observed through another
meter pipe. In this certain part of the main pipe, an inlet for purification
tablets is installed and it is where the purification of water starts.
Eventually, enough amount of purified water is stored in the main pipe
and must be discharged through the PVC ball valve to the water storage.

ii. Secondary Pipe

The main purpose of the secondary pipe is to discharge the excess

rainwater. The rainwater will naturally flow into two pipes. PVC 90-
degree elbow pipes are connected to a 0.5 m and 3 m pipe to obtain a
natural downward flow of the discharge of excess rainwater, as shown in
Figure 1.

b. Water Filter
Inside the main pipe, the Rainwater Filter is installed. After the
observation and control of the amount of rainwater entering the pipe, rainwater
will pass through the rocks above the sand bed that will trap sediments,
pathogens, and other impurities from the water. After traveling slowly through the
sand bed, the removal of suspended matter, as well as floating and sinkable
particles were achieved. Then, the rainwater passes through the screen filter. After
filtration, purification tablets were added to the filtered water for the purification
of water thus resulting to a potable water. Potable water will then be collected in a
storage below which has a capacity of 20 liters.