Assessing reliability of rainwater harvesting systems for meeting water demands in different climatic zones of Iran

Abstract The implementation of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems depends on technical and socioeconomic assessments. However, most studies do not consider socioeconomic aspects, which could lead to different degrees of RWH implementation and technology selection due to economic constraints and local regulations. We evaluated the socioeconomic potential for RWH as an alternative for water supply of 24 Southern Brazilian municipalities with less than 50,000 inhabitants. A total of 10,080 RWH configurations were assessed and a reliability analysis was carried out to define the RWH system configurations potentially implementable (RWH+) in each municipality. RWH economic benefits were estimated from a social point of view, based on the reduction of the monthly water payment. Overall, RWH+ supplying higher demands with higher economics savings were feasible, as expected. However, several municipalities that showed RWH+ supplying 100% of the domestic water demands obtained lower economic savings, due to low water tariff and water consumption. Still, a set of municipalities presented RWH+ for rainwater demand replacing 50% to 60% of the residential demand, for which the high-water tariffs reflected in higher economics savings. The advantages of using the RWH systems outstand even more when the investments at Federal and Local levels are considered.

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Reduction of Potable Water Consumption and Sewage Generation on a City Scale: A Case Study in Brazil

Water ◽

10.3390/w11112351 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2351 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Cureau ◽

Ghisi

Keyword(s):

Water Consumption ◽

Potable Water ◽

Rainwater Harvesting ◽

Single Family ◽

Water Savings ◽

The Public ◽

Water Demands ◽

Harvesting Systems ◽

The City ◽

Greywater Reuse

This article aims to estimate the reduction of potable water consumption and sewage generation in the city of Joinville, southern Brazil. Four strategies were considered to promote potable water savings: replacement of conventional toilets with dual-flush ones, greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, and the combination of these three strategies. Residential, public, and commercial sectors were assessed. The potential for potable water savings ranged from 1.7% to 50.5%, and the potential for sewage generation reduction ranged from 2.1% to 52.1%. The single-family residential sector was the most representative for water savings and sewage generation reduction. The public sector would be the least contributor to such reductions. It was found that in the city of Joinville, for low non-potable water demands, greywater reuse was the most viable strategy to save water. When non-potable demand is high and there is a large catchment area, it is recommended to install rainwater harvesting systems. It was concluded that there is a high potential for potable water savings and reduction of sewage generation if measures were adopted in Joinville, but it is necessary to evaluate which strategy is the most appropriate for each building.

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