Abstract
Freshwater is becoming limited as our climate and weather pattern changes. In this study, a rainwater harvesting system was evaluated for collecting and utilizing rainwater for uses in non-potable purposes. Water-Balance was carried out for two design scenarios: Single tank and double tank, for irrigation in all main fields (202,724 ft2). The irrigation demand for the entire field was estimated to be about 1.08 million gallons on average after analyzing 14 years of data (2000-13). Installing a single tank of 210,000 gallon capacity was found to reduce the demand by 23%, whereas double tank installation was found to reduce the demand by about 10% on an annual basis. For these demand, irrigation needs has to depend on other sources such as city water supply or school’s retention pond. The cost-benefit analysis revealed that the system will have estimated initial cost of $85,000 (single tank installation). The corresponding annualized cost of ownership is $5,215 while projected savings on annual water bills is $6,079. The system could be paid off early, resulting in savings of about $45,000 for the life of the system. The system was found to benefit financially while contributing to the environment by conserving the freshwater from non-potable use and reducing hydrologic footprint by harvesting the stormwater runoff.
Highlights
NetZero is a challenge that may seem farfetched, but it is a concept that may become reality in near future
Western Guilford High School (WGHS) located in west side of the City of Greensboro, North Carolina was selected for the design and cost-benefit analysis of a rainwater harvesting system
On average, installing a single tank of 210,000 gallon capacity was found to reduce the demand by 23%, whereas double tank installation was found to reduce the demand by about 10%
Summary
NetZero is a challenge that may seem farfetched, but it is a concept that may become reality in near future. With changing climate and increased frequencies of draughts, NetZero water concept has potential to alleviate the scarcity of freshwater It can help build a better sustainable future while reducing environmental impacts such as controlling wastage of freshwater in non-potable use and reducing flood and bank erosion risks due to excessive stormwater in the stream (Sisolak and Spataro, 2011). Millions of gallons of potentially usable rainwater are lost to streams every day This water could be harvested, collected and stored to be used later for non-potable purposes such as irrigation, toilet flushing, cooling/heating applications, car washing, etc. The rainwater harvesting system has been proven to conserve freshwater resource It depends on many factors including amount of water that can be collected, non-potable use of water, economic feasibility and most importantly public perception of the system and its benefit in water conservation and ecosystem. Schools usually have collection of large buildings which can potentially collect large quantity of rainwater, which can be used for many non-potable usages, mainly irrigation of the lawn and fields
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