scholarly journals Comprehensive Assessment Methodology for Urban Residential Rainwater Tank Implementation

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Sharma ◽  
Ted Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Building Codes ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
Rainwater Tanks

Rainwater tanks are increasingly being implemented as part of the integrated urban water management paradigm where all sources of water, including potable, stormwater and recycled, are considered eligible to contribute to the urban water supply. Over the last decade or so, there has been a rapid uptake of rainwater tank systems in urban areas, especially in Australian cities, encouraged through financial incentives, but more importantly, from change in residential building codes effectively mandating the installation of rainwater tanks. Homes with rainwater tanks in Australian cities have increased from 15% to 28% over six years to 2013. These building codes specify certain rainwater tank specifications to achieve a stated rainwater use, and hence potable water savings. These specifications include minimum rainwater tank size, minimum connected roof area, plumbing for internal supply for toilets and washing machines, and external supply for garden watering. These expected potable water savings from households are often factored into regional strategic water planning objectives. Hence if rainwater tanks do not deliver the expected saving due to sub-standard installation and/or poor maintenance, it will have an adverse impact on the regional water plan in the longer term. In this paper, a methodology to assess the effectiveness of a government rainwater tank policy in achieving predicted potable water savings is described and illustrated with a case study from South East Queensland, Australia. It is anticipated that water professionals across the globe should be able to use the same methodology to assess the effectiveness of similar rainwater policies, or indeed any other distributed water saving policy, in their local planning communities.

scholarly journals Assessment of A Rainwater Harvesting System in A Multi-Storey Residential Building in Brazil

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Kuntz Maykot ◽  
Enedir Ghisi
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Internal Rate Of Return ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
The One ◽  
End Uses

This article aims to present an economic feasibility and user satisfaction analysis of a rainwater harvesting system in a multi-storey residential building (where there is rainwater to supply toilets) located in Florianópolis, southern Brazil. This research used detailed methods and also considered the opinion and habits of users regarding the use of a rainwater harvesting system. The water end-uses were estimated through questionnaire survey in each flat. The potential for potable water savings was estimated using computer simulations. Simulations were performed using the computer programme Netuno, version 4 and economic feasibility analyses were performed considering different rainwater demands. Analyses associated with the habits of the residents, the satisfaction of users and the importance of saving potable water were also carried out. Showers were responsible for the highest share (54.2%) of water consumption in the flats, followed by the other end-uses: washing machine (21.3%), kitchen tap (9.3%), toilet flush (9.2%) and washbasins (2.6%). The most economically feasible system, which presented lower payback and higher internal rate of return, corresponds to the system sized to supply rainwater only to toilet flushing. Such a system would need a rainwater tank with a capacity smaller than the capacity of the one currently in use. In general, residents expressed satisfaction regarding the rainwater harvesting system installed in the building. The study is important because, besides obtaining water end-uses in the flats, it also investigates the perception of residents related to rainwater harvesting, which has been little explored in the scientific literature.

scholarly journals Willingness to Pay for Rainwater Tank Features: A Post-Drought Analysis of Sydney Water Users

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorada Tapsuwan ◽  
Stephen Cook ◽  
Magnus Moglia
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
Millennium Drought ◽  
Rainwater Tanks

The Millennium Drought across Australia during the 2000s placed cities under pressure in providing urban water security. In Sydney, Australia’s largest city, a comprehensive water demand programme triggered a significant reduction in per capita water consumption. The water demand programme included incentives for the installation of rainwater tanks. This paper explores the willingness to pay (WTP) for rainwater tank features in the post-drought context. Rainwater tanks have been demonstrated as an effective measure to reduce mains water demand, but they also provide broader environmental and economic benefits, such as the reduction of urban runoff to waterways and deferred capital investment in augmenting capacity of water supply system. Therefore, there is the need to better understand WTP for rainwater tank features across the community. An online survey was administered to a sample of Sydney households, with 127 respondents completing a rainwater tank choice experiment that explored their WTP for different rainwater tank features and the socio-psychological constructs that might influence their tendency to adopt rainwater tanks. The results demonstrated that householders surveyed valued slimline rainwater tanks, as they are likely to be less obstructive, particularly given the trend for smaller lot sizes and increased building size. Householders also placed greater value on connecting the rainwater tank to outdoor demands, which may be influenced by perceived vulnerability of outdoor uses to water restrictions relative to indoor uses. The survey analysis also identified that the householders most receptive to installing a rainwater tank are likely to be conformists, who compare themselves to peers, and spend significant effort when making decisions, and are already taking actions to conserve water. The findings are of significance when targeting future education programmes and designing financial incentives to encourage rainwater tank adoption.

A survey of the characteristics and maintenance of rainwater tanks in urban areas of South Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 1569-1577 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rodrigo ◽  
M. Sinclair ◽  
K. Leder
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
Galvanised Steel ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Rainwater Tanks

Households resident in metropolitan Adelaide and surrounding areas in South Australia were recruited into a randomised controlled trial. A total of 630 rainwater tanks with a total tank capacity of 14.5 ML were installed at the 325 households surveyed. The majority of the tanks were plumbed into the kitchen (64.6%), over 10 years in age (45.5%), over 15,000 L in capacity (42.5%) and composed of galvanised steel (36.9%). Over 90% of the households undertook one or more prevention and maintenance strategies for reducing contamination of collected rainwater. The use of first flush diverters was reported by 30.8% households, the presence of leaf control devices on the tank by 57.2%, and the presence of leaf control screens on gutters by 25.5% households. Most households reported that the rainwater tank was cleaned at some time, with 50.4% of these households stating that tank cleaning occurred 1 to 5 years previously, and 31.9% more than 5 years prior to enrolment Rainwater from the main drinking tank was sampled from a subset of households for turbidity and metals (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb, Zn). This information regarding tank characteristics and degree of adherence to recommended maintenance procedures may assist understanding of variability in rainwater quality data and may help determine whether untreated rainwater can be considered a safe water supply for household purposes including drinking.

scholarly journals Potential for Potable Water Savings Due to Rainwater Use in a Precast Concrete Factory

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 448
Author(s):  
Giovanna Bertuzzi ◽  
Enedir Ghisi
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Precast Concrete ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Tank Capacity ◽  
Rainwater Quality ◽  
The Ideal

The objective of this paper was to assess the potential for potable water savings due to rainwater use in a precast concrete factory in southern Brazil. The economic feasibility and the rainwater quality were also assessed. The current water consumption, future water demand, and rainwater demand in the factory were estimated. The future demand considered was two times higher than the current water consumption since there were plans to increase the production. Three scenarios were then simulated using the computer programme Netuno. The ideal rainwater tank capacity, the potential for potable water savings, and the economic feasibility analysis for each scenario were estimated. Samples of rainwater were collected in the factory and tested for quality for manufacturing precast concrete. For a rainwater tank capacity equal to 25,000 L, the potential for potable water savings for the first scenario was 55.4%, but the first scenario was considered economically unfeasible. For the same tank capacity, the second and third scenarios presented viable results regarding potable water savings and payback. As for the rainwater quality, it was proven to be adequate for manufacturing precast concrete. The main conclusion was that rainwater can be used to manufacture precast concrete in the factory studied herein.

scholarly journals Assessing the Potential for Potable Water Savings in the Residential Sector of a City: A Case Study of Joinville City

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Custódio ◽  
Ghisi
Keyword(s):  
Water Demand ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
City Council ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Residential Sector ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
Average Potential ◽  
Daily Water

The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential for potable water savings by using rainwater in the residential sector of Joinville, a city located in southern Brazil. Data on roof areas of residential buildings were obtained from the Joinville city council. By considering the roof areas and typologies of residential buildings, representative models were created. The following parameters were used to determine the rainwater tank capacity: the number of dwellers; the total daily water demand per capita; and the rainwater demand. To carry out the simulations for determining the optimal rainwater tank sizes and potential for potable water savings, the computer program Netuno was used to run 33,720 different scenarios. By considering the occurrence percentage for each representative building model (weighted average), the average potential for potable water savings by using rainwater was calculated. The average potential in the central region of Joinville was 18.5% when there is rainwater use only in toilets, and 40.8% when there is rainwater use in toilets and washing machines. The rainwater harvesting system showed a better performance for a rainwater demand equal to 20% of the total daily water demand. The results indicate the necessity to properly size rainwater tank capacities to meet water demands, thereby encouraging more people to adopt rainwater harvesting as an alternative source for non-potable water in buildings. The demand for rainwater should be carefully evaluated, especially in multi-story residential buildings, due to the low availability of roof areas.

Assessing the urban water balance: the Urban Water Flow Model and its application in Cyprus

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 635-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Charalambous ◽  
Adriana Bruggeman ◽  
Manfred A. Lange
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Flow Model ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Urban Water Balance

Modelling the urban water balance enables the understanding of the interactions of water within an urban area and allows for better management of water resources. However, few models today provide a comprehensive overview of all water sources and uses. The objective of the current paper was to develop a user-friendly tool that quantifies and visualizes all water flows, losses and inefficiencies in urban environments. The Urban Water Flow Model was implemented in a spreadsheet and includes a water-savings application that computes the contributions of user-selected saving options to the overall water balance. The model was applied to the coastal town of Limassol, Cyprus, for the hydrologic years 2003/04–2008/09. Data were collected from the different authorities and hydrologic equations and estimations were added to complete the balance. Average precipitation was 363 mm/yr, amounting to 25.4 × 106m3/yr, more than double the annual potable water supply to the town. Surface runoff constituted 29.6% of all outflows, while evapotranspiration from impervious areas was 21.6%. Possible potable water savings for 2008/09 were estimated at 5.3 × 103 m3, which is 50% of the total potable water provided to the area. This saving would also result in a 6% reduction of surface runoff.

scholarly journals Potential for Potable Water Savings Due to Rainwater use in a Precast Concrete Factory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Bertuzzi ◽  
Enedir Ghisi
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Precast Concrete ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Rainwater Tank ◽  
Current Water ◽  
Tank Capacity ◽  
Rainwater Quality ◽  
The Ideal

The objective of this paper is to assess the potential for potable water savings due to rainwater use in a precast concrete factory in southern Brazil. The economic feasibility and the rainwater quality were also assessed. The current water consumption, future water demand and rainwater demand in the factory were estimated. The future demand considered was two times higher than the current water consumption since there are plans to increase the production. Three scenarios were then simulated using the computer programme Netuno. The ideal rainwater tank capacity, the potential for potable water savings and the economic feasibility analysis for each scenario were estimated. Samples of rainwater were collected in the factory and tested for quality for manufacturing precast concrete. For a rainwater tank capacity equal to 25,000 litres, the potential for potable water savings for the first scenario was 55.4%, but the first scenario was considered economically unfeasible. For the same tank capacity, the second and third scenarios presented viable results regarding potable water savings and payback. As for the rainwater quality, it was proven to be adequate for manufacturing precast concrete. The main conclusion is that rainwater can be used to manufacture precast concrete in the factory studied herein.

scholarly journals Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in Sustainable Urban Water Management

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Declan Page ◽  
Elise Bekele ◽  
Joanne Vanderzalm ◽  
Jatinder Sidhu
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Managed Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Urban Water Management ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Sustainable Urban Water Management

To meet increasing urban water requirements in a sustainable way, there is a need to diversify future sources of supply and storage. However, to date, there has been a lag in the uptake of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) for diversifying water sources in urban areas. This study draws on examples of the use of MAR as an approach to support sustainable urban water management. Recharged water may be sourced from a variety of sources and in urban centers, MAR provides a means to recycle underutilized urban storm water and treated wastewater to maximize their water resource potential and to minimize any detrimental effects associated with their disposal. The number, diversity and scale of urban MAR projects is growing internationally due to water shortages, fewer available dam sites, high evaporative losses from surface storages, and lower costs compared with alternatives where the conditions are favorable, including water treatment. Water quality improvements during aquifer storage are increasingly being documented at demonstration sites and more recently, full-scale operational urban schemes. This growing body of knowledge allows more confidence in understanding the potential role of aquifers in water treatment for regulators. In urban areas, confined aquifers provide better protection for waters recharged via wells to supplement potable water supplies. However, unconfined aquifers may generally be used for nonpotable purposes to substitute for municipal water supplies and, in some cases, provide adequate protection for recovery as potable water. The barriers to MAR adoption as part of sustainable urban water management include lack of awareness of recent developments and a lack of transparency in costs, but most importantly the often fragmented nature of urban water resources and environmental management.

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