A multi-parameter method to quantify the potential of roof rainwater harvesting at regional levels in areas with limited rainfall data

authored by: José Fernando Chapa Zumba, Manuel Krauss, Jochen Hack
Abstract: The increasing demand for water in urban areas of developing countries has been given more importance to rainwater harvesting techniques in the last decades. However, there is still a lack of general approaches to show and compare the potential to benefit effectively from direct roof runoff at different locations. Past studies mainly focused on specific design conditions, making it difficult to interpret and upscale their results in zones with similar conditions. This research explores the influence of rainfall characteristics and design parameters: storage tank size, catchment area, and daily water demand on rainwater harvesting systems designed for water supply. Sixteen locations in Ecuador with varying hydroclimatic characteristics were selected to evaluate our methodology. A mass balance method using satellite records of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission was employed to estimate optimal dimensions based on the reliability of the system. Our results suggest that locations with similar annual rainfall and seasonality have similar performances of rainwater harvesting systems. Based on that premise, regional approaches can be formulated. They can be employed as a tool to support decision-makers promoting policies related to rainwater harvesting at local and regional scales.
External Organisation(s): University of Stuttgart
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Type: Article
Journal: Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume: 161
ISSN: 0921-3449
Publication date: 10.2020
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Waste Management and Disposal, Economics and Econometrics
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104959 (Access: Closed)