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Introduction
Background
The product of the rainwater harvesting In developed countries, the majority of the
system may be used either as a drinking water populations receive water via main network
or for non-drinking purposes. However, the and disposal of wastewater via pipe sewerage
used of rainwater harvesting system for source system. These systems require tremendous
of drinking water and other direct human amount of investment by both public and
purposes require a long-term commitment in private sectors. They have been linked to
term of operation and maintenance. This is to increase water demand, resources not located
ensure that the system is continuously in areas of high demand and increase surface
operating in safe condition. water runoff volumes and discharge rates due
to urbanization.
The non-drinking purpose of rainwater
harvesting system may include landscape The sustainable strategy which is based on the
irrigation and for toilet flushing. decentralised technologies such as the use of
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green roofs and stormwater facilities such as industry or localized industrial emissions may
on site detentions may result in partial affect rainwater purity.
retention and reduction in peak flow
discharge of the drainage system; yet at a Rainwater falling in rural and non-
macro scale conserves energy. industrialised area can be superior to that in
area dominated by heavy industrial and
The system which collects rainwater from agricultural activities.
roofs can be used for non-portable
applications potentially reducing the It is essential that the rainwater harvesting
utilization of portable water. The application system is planned, designed and constructed
of rainwater utilization for flushing and conforming to this guideline to ensure the
garden watering will include the benefits of discharged of the polluted first flush is taken
conservation of water resources, relief of care of.
demand on public water supplies and
potential attenuation of peak runoff into the Rainwater is soft water compared to typical
stormwater drainage system. municipal tap water and not utilizing it as a
supplementary water supply is a total waste of
Rainwater harvesting may reduce the land natural resources.
erosion and flooding caused by runoff from
impervious cover such as pavement and roofs.
This can be attributed to the some proportion
of rainfall being captured and stored.
Qualitative Advantages