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Assessing the potential for rooftop rainwater harvesting and its physio and socioeconomic impacts, Rawal watershed, Islamabad, Pakistan

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Abstract

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the potential of rooftop rainwater harvesting (R-RWH) and its physio- and socioeconomic effects on the peoples in two catchments (Salghara and Malach) of the Rawal watershed, Pakistan. A questionnaire-based analysis was used not only to gather the required design parameters (roof area, household size, water usage) but also to investigate the physio- and socioeconomic effects. Results revealed that the highest rainfall change is found from January to March and June to September but the lowest was observed in November–December near the Salghara region. In the Malach region, the positive rainfall is measured in February and June but the negative is found in May, July, and August. The survey analysis showed that 77 m3 minimum roof area is required and suitable material to implement the R-RWH for a 6-family size. 121 m3 and 76 m3 annual average water yield is recorded for Salghara and Malach catchments, respectively. A storage tank capacity of 13 m3 and 32.5 m3 is observed for Salghara and Malach, respectively. This difference in capacity is found due to the length of the dry periods. The low-cost rainwater harvesting system is proposed between 600 and 400 USD per household. Furthermore, it was noticed that people do believe rooftop RWH can positively impact both their economic and health conditions, particularly for women as they spend most of their time struggling to fetch water. It is concluded that rooftop RWH has great potential as an alternative household water source in the Rawal watershed catchment regions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Climate Research Institute (CRI), Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Sohail Abbas

  2. Center for Integrated Mountain Research (CIMR), University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

    Muhammad Junaid Mahmood

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  1. Sohail Abbas
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  2. Muhammad Junaid Mahmood
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  3. Muhammad Yaseen
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Correspondence to Sohail Abbas.

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Abbas, S., Mahmood, M.J. & Yaseen, M. Assessing the potential for rooftop rainwater harvesting and its physio and socioeconomic impacts, Rawal watershed, Islamabad, Pakistan. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 17942–17963 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01422-z

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