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Domestic Rainwater Harvesting: Microbial and Chemical Water Quality and Point-of-Use Treatment Systems

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Abstract

Quality of the essential commodity, water, is being compromised by contaminants originating from anthropogenic sources, industrial activities, agriculture, etc. Water scarcity and severe droughts in many regions of the world also represent a significant challenge to availability of this resource. Domestic rainwater harvesting, which involves collection and storage of water from rooftops and diverse surfaces, is successfully implemented worldwide as a sustainable water supplement. This review focuses on chemical and microbial qualities of domestic rainwater harvesting, with a particular focus on sources of chemical pollution and major pathogens associated with the water source. Incidences of disease linked to consumption and utilization of harvested rainwater are also discussed. In addition, various procedures and methods used for disinfection and treatment of harvested rainwater, such as implementation of filter systems (activated carbon, slow sand filtration, etc.), heat treatment, and chlorination, among others, are also presented.

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Acknowledgments

The Water Research Commission (South Africa) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are thanked for financial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    M. de Kwaadsteniet, P. H. Dobrowsky, A. van Deventer, W. Khan & T. E. Cloete

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  1. M. de Kwaadsteniet
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  2. P. H. Dobrowsky
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  3. A. van Deventer
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  5. T. E. Cloete
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Correspondence to W. Khan.

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Highlights

• Chemical and microbial quality of domestic rainwater.

• Major pathogens associated with rainwater and incidences of disease.

• Procedures and methods utilized for treatment of rainwater.

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de Kwaadsteniet, M., Dobrowsky, P.H., van Deventer, A. et al. Domestic Rainwater Harvesting: Microbial and Chemical Water Quality and Point-of-Use Treatment Systems. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1629 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1629-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1629-7

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