Variation of rain water quality with storage time for different coloured storage containers

E.M Oladele,A.S Adewuyi,O.M Ojo

doi:10.4314/jasem.v25i9.22

Abstract

It is very important to evaluate the quality of rain water collected and stored in cisterns and storage tanks. In this study, rainwater quality analysis was carried out on samples collected from an experimental set -up at the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. The physio-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of rainwater collected and stored using four different coloured containers under outdoor and indoor conditions were analyzed and the results compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standard for potable water. The results of the physio-chemical analysis revealed that the colour, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), phosphate, sulphate, iron and copper of all the rainwater samples fell within WHO acceptable standards for potable water. The pH of the harvested rainwater of the samples ranged from 5.34 – 6.73 mg/l for the indoor stored rainwater samples and 5.28 – 6.59 mg/l for the outdoor stored samples. The pH of the water samples did not fall with WHO permissible limit of 6.5 to 8.5. The Nitrate content of the water samples also did not fall within WHO permissible limit. Similarly, the total coliform count did not conform to WHO standard for potable water. Based on the results obtained from this study, it is recommended that harvested rainwater be treated to kill contaminating microorganisms and to reduce the health risks associated with its consumption.

Highlights

Water is a transparent, tasteless, odourless and nearly colourless chemical substance which is the main constituent of earth’s stream, lakes and oceans and the fluids of most living organisms
This study aims at assessing the variation of rain water quality with storage time for different coloured storage containers under both indoor and outdoor conditions
The temperature of the samples for the indoor storage of rain water ranged from 26.2 oC to 28.90 oC while the temperature of the samples for the outdoor storage of the rain water ranged from 25.90 oC to 29.10 oC

Summary

Introduction

Tasteless, odourless and nearly colourless chemical substance which is the main constituent of earth’s stream, lakes and oceans and the fluids of most living organisms. Water is the world’s most precious natural resource. Rainwater is an important source of fresh water for those who live in both rural and urban areas of developing countries (Ojo, 2016). Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and storage of rainwater in natural or artificial containers either for immediate use or use before the onset of the season for domestic, agricultural, industrial and environmental purposes (Kun et al, 2004; Mati et al, 2005; Ubuoh et al, 2016). Studies have shown that the location of sampling points, weather conditions, and industrial, urban or agricultural activities have significant effects on the quality of harvested rainwater (Vazquez et al, 2003 and Meera et al, 2006). This study aims at assessing the variation of rain water quality with storage time for different coloured storage containers under both indoor and outdoor conditions

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion