Abstract
Rainwater harvesting systems are decentralized water solutions that involve capturing rainwater, typically from an impervious surface such as a rooftop, and storing it for selected uses. Rainwater harvesting systems can be used to meet water conservation and stormwater management objectives and may also represent a less energy intensive water source. This chapter includes an analysis of the available literature to identify key features such as frequency and consistency of water use and appropriate tank sizing that maximize the potable water use reduction, financial savings, and environmental benefits of rainwater harvesting systems. Case studies of rainwater harvesting systems, such as a commercial system where rainwater is used for potable purposes, a residential community which incorporates rainwater harvesting and on-site wastewater treatment, and rainwater use on a university campus are presented to highlight key features of rainwater harvesting systems. The review of the literature and the case studies reveal that to realize the full benefits of these systems, one must: maximize and diversify water uses, optimize the design, integrate RWH into an overall sustainable water management plan, and ensure that rainwater harvesting is compared to viable site options as opposed to idealized alternatives.
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Gee, K.D., Sojka, S. (2022). Maximizing the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting Systems: Review and Analysis of Selected Case Study Examples. In: Younos, T., Lee, J., Parece, T.E. (eds) Resilient Water Management Strategies in Urban Settings. Springer Water. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95844-2_5
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