Abstract
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) may be an effective alternative water supply solution in regions affected by water scarcity. It has recently become a particularly important option in arid and semi-arid areas (like Mediterranean basins), mostly because of its many benefits and affordable costs. This study provides an analysis of the reliability of using a rainwater harvesting system to supply water for toilet flushing and garden irrigation purposes, with reference to a single-family home in a residential area of Sicily (Southern Italy). A flushing water demand pattern was evaluated using water consumption data collected from a sample of residential customers during an extended measurement campaign. A daily water balance simulation of the rainwater storage tank was performed, and the yield-after-spillage algorithm was used to define the tank release rule. The model’s performance was evaluated using rainfall data from more than 100 different sites located throughout the Sicilian territory. This regional analysis provided annual reliability curves for the system as a function of mean annual precipitation, which have practical applications in this area of study. The uncertainty related to the regional model predictions was also assessed. A cost-benefit analysis highlighted that the implementation of a rainwater harvesting system in Sicily can provide environmental and economic advantages over traditional water supply methods. In particular, the regional analysis identified areas where the application of this system would be most effective.
Highlights
Increasing water demand has led to water scarcity in many urban areas in the Mediterranean region
Water balance simulations were performed at daily scale, accounting for the effect of extreme rainfall of 24 h duration and dry spells on the rainwater harvesting (RWH) system
Urban design and planning has ignored the advantages of RWH as a sustainable water resources management tool; interest in RWH systems as an alternative water source has recently increased
Summary
Increasing water demand has led to water scarcity in many urban areas in the Mediterranean region. Climate change will intensify this pressure in some parts of the world, including the Mediterranean basin, Western United States and Southern Africa, resulting in a predicted decrease in water resources in the coming decades [1]. In this context, developing strategies and systems to identify alternative water resources will become critical, as will improving water resources management and planning. Rainwater has historically been the primary source of water for potable and non-potable uses in locations where water supply systems have not yet been developed, and has traditionally been employed in a variety of ways in new settlements and isolated homes [4]. Because of their many environmental and economic advantages, rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems are currently receiving
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