Abstract
This paper describes a novel methodology to evaluate the benefits of large-scale installation of domestic Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) systems in multi-story buildings. The methodology was specifically developed for application to small settlements of the minor Mediterranean islands characterized by sharp fluctuations in precipitation and water demands between winter and summer periods. The methodology is based on the combined use of regressive models for water saving evaluation and of geospatial analysis tools for semi-automatic collection of spatial information at the building/household level. An application to the old town of Lipari (Aeolian islands) showed potential for high yearly water savings (between 30% and 50%), with return on investment in less than 15 years for about 50% of the installed RWH systems.
Highlights
6 L) were considered in the analysis for a prudent evaluation of the water saving from Rain Water Harvesting (RWH)
(F = 6 L) were considered in the analysis for a prudent evaluation of the water saving from RWH
The methodology was developed for specific application to minor Mediterranean islands that methodology was fluctuations developed for specific application to demands minor Mediterranean islands areThe characterized by large in precipitation and waterthat arebetween characterized by large fluctuations in precipitation and water demands winter and summer periods
Summary
Several countries of the Mediterranean are involved in finding proper solutions to problems related to the management of scarce water resources under the concurrent increase in water demands.The growing use of water in urban areas pushes cities and water managers to look for alternative sources of renewable water.Problems associated with water scarcity are very sharp in urban contexts of minor islands, where the water availability is normally limited by the small size of river catchments.Further difficulties in water supply management of minor Mediterranean islands are associated with the high fluctuations of the population (and water demand) between spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons due to the incoming/outgoing touristic fluxes.During the last decades, non-conventional water supply based on the use of water tankers and/or desalination has contributed in a major way to meet drinking water demands in several archipelagos of the Mediterranean Sea (including, among others, the Aeolian islands, the Pelagian islands, and Cyprus).because of the high operational costs, the financial sustainability of such water sources in the medium to long term remains highly questionable [1]. The growing use of water in urban areas pushes cities and water managers to look for alternative sources of renewable water. Problems associated with water scarcity are very sharp in urban contexts of minor islands, where the water availability is normally limited by the small size of river catchments. Further difficulties in water supply management of minor Mediterranean islands are associated with the high fluctuations of the population (and water demand) between spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons due to the incoming/outgoing touristic fluxes. Non-conventional water supply based on the use of water tankers and/or desalination has contributed in a major way to meet drinking water demands in several archipelagos of the Mediterranean Sea (including, among others, the Aeolian islands, the Pelagian islands, and Cyprus).
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