Environmentally-friendly rainwater management with RHEINZINK

RHEINZINK rainwater management – Natural. Safe.

Being a responsible manufacturer of roofing and roof drainage systems made of structural zinc, environmentally friendly rainwater management and the protection of groundwater have the very highest priority at RHEINZINK.

Use of RHEINZINK as roofing, façade cladding or roof drainage.

  • The seepage of rainwater drained through zinc roof surfaces has been verified by independent studies to be absolutely harmless and environmentally compatible.
  • The material has undergone a comprehensive assessment of its entire life cycle. An environmental product declaration in accordance with ISO 14025 Type III/ EN 15804 was prepared and verified by the Institute for Construction and Environment.
  • Roofing and façade cladding made of RHEINZINK are harmonised construction products with CE marking.
  • The use of zinc in construction may be restricted in individual construction areas and municipalities due to uncertainties or misinformation. This was refuted by lawyer Michael Halstenberg in his (german) professional article.

Discharging rainwater into the sewer or surface waters

Kastenrinne Dachentwässerung RHEINZINK

Rainwater can be discharged into the sewer system or - if available - into a separate rainwater sewer system.

Discharge into surface waters is also possible.

According to the Code of Practice DWA M 153 of the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste DWA, rainwater from roof surfaces up to 500 m² within a watercourse or bank section of 1,000 m may be discharged without pre-treatment.

Storage, use and infiltration of rainwater

Collecting and using rainwater

System for rainwater storage and utilisation offer another possibility for ecological, natural handling of rainwater. The spectrum ranges from the proven rain barrel to standard-compliant, modern rainwater utilisation systems such as pipe storage tanks and cisterns. Depending on the conditions of use, systems of different sizes and characteristics are available. Rainwater can be used wherever drinking water quality is not required: for watering outdoor facilities, watering plants, flushing toilets or even for use in washing machines. 

Collecting and returning rainwater

You can make a valuable contribution to the environment by returning rainwater to the natural water cycle by infiltrating rainwater on your own land.

Two alternatives are available here:

  • Above-ground infiltration via vegetated topsoil or infiltration swales.
  • Underground infiltration can be carried out via an infiltration ditch, a soakaway or a filter system.

More detailed regulations are laid down in the federal state water laws or in the federal states' own precipitation water exemption ordinances.

New calculation programme for rainwater quality

The calculation programme "Rainwater Check - ZINK" (Zn-RATE - Zinc Roof Assessment Tool for the Environment) is a programme that enables the proof of harmless rainwater infiltration of zinc roofs and façades. The calculation is based on the natural run-off rates of zinc surfaces, which have been subject to scientific research over many years by institutes and universities from all over Europe. The programme developed by the environmental institute ARCHE-consult, Gent (Belgium), also provides information on the environmental impact of the usual zinc run-off on the soil and groundwater. The "Rainwater Check-ZINK" first calculates the natural erosion of zinc roof surfaces, façades and roof drainage on a property-by-property basis, factoring in site-specific rainfall and air quality. The new online programme also provides a local environmental assessment based on the latest scientific assessment methods accepted by the EU. This assessment programme clearly and transparently demonstrates the environmental impact of zinc in rainwater and supports the demand for local and harmless rainwater disposal. It provides computational and scientifically sound proof of the harmless infiltration of rainwater from titanium zinc roof and façade surfaces – object-related and in the sense of rainwater quality management, which is required by the technical building regulations.

The calculation programme can be used now at: www.zn-rate.com/.
Further information can also be found at www.bauzink.de