Critique Paper

This article “A review of rainwater harvesting” reviews recent literature on rainwater

harvesting and its potential application for crop production. Some 170 articles published

between 1970 and 1980 were found, all of them revealing an awareness of the

increasing need for rainwater harvesting and a recognition of its potential.

A definition of rainwater harvesting is presented on the basis of three characteristics

common to it: arid to semi-arid climate, local water, and small-scale operation. The

following elements are considered:

Runoff inducement — vegetation management, surface treatment, chemical treatment;

Runoff collection — Micro-Catchment Water Harvesting (MCWH) and Runoff Farming

Water Harvesting (RFWH);

Storage and conservation.

Design aspects of MCWH are reviewed: MC size, ratio of contributing area to collecting

area, and layout. MCWH is especially suitable to non-irrigated areas. The Kinematic

Wave Equation and Dynamic Equations have been used in modelling MCWH.

RFWH can be useful in improving irrigation water availability in surface reservoirs. For

modelling RFWH, the Unit Hydrograph Method is suitable. More research is required to

determine the potential of runoff farming without surface reservoirs.

Water scarcity is a current problem for many urban areas due to the increasing water

demand related to the population growth and the expansion of urban and industrialized
areas. Climate change will intensify the pressure on water resources. Rainwater

harvesting (RWH) may be an effective alternative water supply solution to face water

scarcity. It has recently become a particularly important option in arid and semi-arid

areas, mostly because of its many benefits and relative low costs. The present study

aims to analyse the reliability of a RWH system installed to supply water for toilet

flushing purpose with reference to a single-family house. Historical water consumption

data were analysed to obtain a flushing water demand pattern. A water balance

simulation of the rainwater storage tank was performed, and the yield-after-spillage

algorithm was used to define the tank release rule.