What are they? Why should we use them? How are they installed?
A first flush diverter is a chamber with a plastic filter screen, sealing ball, and flow control valve; the diverter is attached to your rainwater harvesting system to route the first flow of water from your gutter away from the storage tank. Research has indicated that the use of a first flush diverter dramatically improves the quality of the water. Read one of the primary studies here.
This is important because the diversion of this first flow is another step in keeping debris and other contaminants out of system. The float seals off from the flow of water once the most sediment-laden water has been captured and kept from the flow that leads to the collection tank. The material present in the first water flow can contain bacteria from a number of sources, including dead insects, bird and other animal droppings, all manner of sediment, and chemical residues or heavy metals that are water borne. Without a diverter, some of these materials can make their way into your tank, possibly contaminating your water supply.
Not only does the use of a diverter help to improve water quality, but also eases the burden on additional equipment in the system, such as the pump. This helps to extend the life of the pump used in the system and the attached collection tank, keeping the water fresher and tank cleaning to a minimum. Installation of a diverter is also relatively simple! View our installation guide here.
Want to shop diverters? See all of our diverter kits using the links below, or shop diverters on Amazon.