The feasibility of rainwater and stormwater harvesting within a winter rainfall climate context: a commercial building focus
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Authors
Viljoen, Nina Susara
Issue Date
2014-02
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Below-surface reservoir , Catchment surface , Collection tank , Electronic rain gauge , Garden irrigation , Measurement , Non-potable uses , Potable top-up system , Rainwater harvesting , Runoff model , Stormwater channelling , Stormwater harvesting , Stormwater runoff , Toilet demand , Toilet flushing
Alternative Title
Abstract
Cape Town, South Africa, falls within a winter rainfall region, making it difficult to assess the feasibility of rain- and stormwater harvesting. The reason for this is because the region’s high water demand period coincides with the low rainfall summer season, thereby limiting the availability of this alternative water resource when most needed. During this study, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing purposes, collected from roof surfaces, was practically assessed by means of inserted flow meters at a pilot study site in Kommetjie, Cape Town. The combined and single system roof- and land surface runoff yields and savings of commercial buildings within the Kommetjie business area, were also theoretically assessed by making use of a mathematical roof- and land surface runoff model specifically developed during this study. The statistical testing of the hypotheses statements relating to the pre- and post-harvesting savings at the pilot study building, compared against the average actual municipal water usage, were performed. Hypotheses testing were also performed in order to compare the theoretical rain- and stormwater runoff yields for the commercial business area against the average actual municipal water consumption. The conclusions drawn from this study indicated that valuable potable water, as well as related financial savings, can be achieved within a winter rainfall region, thereby making rain- and stormwater harvesting a feasible option for commercial businesses in Cape Town.
Description
Citation
Viljoen, Nina Susara (2014) The feasibility of rainwater and stormwater harvesting within a winter rainfall climate context: a commercial building focus, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/14391>