Optimizing Home Gutter Systems for Sustainable Rainwater Harvesting

Abstract

The increasing demand for freshwater resources necessitates the development of intelligent and efficient rainwater harvesting systems to ensure long-term sustainability, particularly for residential applications. This study introduces an optimized home gutter system incorporating embedded control logic, rain-triggered flushing, and solar-powered automation to enhance effective water capture and quality. The system uses sensor-actuator coordination to detect rainfall, flush debris, and divert clean water into storage tanks without manual intervention. Under controlled rainfall simulation conditions, the prototype demonstrated a 30% increase in effective rainwater collection compared to conventional passive systems. The integration of a real-time filtration mechanism, coupled with an autonomous flow control unit, minimizes contamination risks and system maintenance. The findings underscore the potential of embedded automation and renewable energy in creating low-cost, sustainable, and scalable solutions for household water management, aligned with smart environmental infrastructure goals.