Sustainability of Rain Water Harvesting System in Terms of Water Quality: a Case Study
Sustainability of Rain Water Harvesting System in terms of Water Quality: A Case Study
Sadia Rahman1 , Shatirah Akib1, S.M. Shirazi1 , M.T.R. Khan2 & S.K. Biswas3
1Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Phone: +6-0188701882
*Corresponding author: sadia_rahman26@yahoo.com
Abstract
Water is considered as an everlasting free source that people could acquire naturally. Demand for water is growing higher day by day with increasing population that limits the use of natural water sources. Sustainable use of water could maintain balance between demand and supply of water. Integrated water management system is a tool that can ensure sustainable use of water through rain water harvesting. Rainwater harvesting is the most useful method during water crisis period as it could be easily used for domestic purposes. Sustainability of this system ensures reduction of pressure on ground water sources as well as reduction of water logging problem caused by storm water. This paper enhances the sustainability of this system through assessing several water quality parameters of collected rain water with respect to allowable limits. A number of parameters were included in analysis. These were: pH, fecal coliform, total coliform, total dissolved solids, turbidity, NH3-N, lead, BOD5 etc. Analysis results reveal that overall quality of water was quite satisfactory as per Bangladesh standards. Again from point of view of cost savings on installation and maintenance expenses, the system is quite effective and economical.
Key word: Cost, deficit, demand, rain water harvesting, supply, water quality.
Introduction
Dhaka is a highly inhabited city
Sadia Rahman1 , Shatirah Akib1, S.M. Shirazi1 , M.T.R. Khan2 & S.K. Biswas3
1Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Phone: +6-0188701882
*Corresponding author: sadia_rahman26@yahoo.com
Abstract
Water is considered as an everlasting free source that people could acquire naturally. Demand for water is growing higher day by day with increasing population that limits the use of natural water sources. Sustainable use of water could maintain balance between demand and supply of water. Integrated water management system is a tool that can ensure sustainable use of water through rain water harvesting. Rainwater harvesting is the most useful method during water crisis period as it could be easily used for domestic purposes. Sustainability of this system ensures reduction of pressure on ground water sources as well as reduction of water logging problem caused by storm water. This paper enhances the sustainability of this system through assessing several water quality parameters of collected rain water with respect to allowable limits. A number of parameters were included in analysis. These were: pH, fecal coliform, total coliform, total dissolved solids, turbidity, NH3-N, lead, BOD5 etc. Analysis results reveal that overall quality of water was quite satisfactory as per Bangladesh standards. Again from point of view of cost savings on installation and maintenance expenses, the system is quite effective and economical.
Key word: Cost, deficit, demand, rain water harvesting, supply, water quality.
Introduction
Dhaka is a highly inhabited city
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