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

Kwaadsteniet, Michéle de; Dobrowsky, P. H.; Deventer, Anneen van; Khan, Wesaal; Cloete, T.E.

doi:10.1007/s11270-013-1629-7

Cited by 94 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 83 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…A previous study indicated that drinking of RHRW containing Salmonella spp. caused diarrhoea and abdominal pains (De Kwaadsteniet et al 2013). Based on observations during this study, RHRW was being contaminated with rooftop faecal material and dust.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…and Aeromonas spp. in RHRW has been reported (Ahmed et al 2012;De Kwaadsteniet et al 2013).. Fungi are usually ignored with respect to microbial quality of water, mainly because many disease outbreaks related to use of contaminated water are caused by pathogenic bacteria (Hageskal et al 2009). However, Many fungal species have been detected in water including Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl., Fusarium moniliforme Sheld., Aspergillus flavus Link, Penicillium chrysogenum Thom., Penicillium corylophilum Dierckx, Acremonium strictum Gams, Phialophora bubakii Schol.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Microbial quality and suitability of roof-harvested rainwater in rural villages for crop irrigation and domestic use

Jongman

Korsten

2016

Journal of Water and Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The study aimed at assessing the microbiological quality and suitability of roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW) for crop irrigation and domestic use. In total, 80 rain water tanks (246 samples) across three rural villages (Ga-Molepane, Jericho and Luthngele) were visited. Culture based techniques were used to isolate bacterial microbes and identities were confirmed using matrix assisted laser desorption/ ionization time of flight (MALDITOF MS). Uncultured fungal populations were also identified using pyrosequencing. Salmonella spp. (3%), L. monocytogenes (22%), total coliforms (57.7%), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (30.5%), Enterococcus spp. (48.8%), Pseudomonas spp. (21.5%) were detected in RHRW samples after rainfall. Fungal sequences belonging to species known to cause fever, coughing and shortness of breath in humans (Cryptococcus spp.) were identified. This study indicates that RHRW quality can be affected by external factors such as faecal material and debris on the rooftops. The use of untreated RHRW could pose a potential health risk if used for irrigation of crops or domestic use, especially in the case of a relative high population of immunocompromised individuals. This study does not dispute the fact that RHRW is an alternative irrigation water source but it recommends treatment before use for domestic purposes or for watering crops.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial quality and suitability of roof-harvested rainwater in rural villages for crop irrigation and domestic use

Jongman

Korsten

2016

Journal of Water and Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Figure 1. Schematic illustration of external pollution sources influencing the water quality of a RWH system, adapted from [4] Atmospheric deposition and spatial conditions. Atmospheric deposition of physicochemical parameters, organic pollutants and microbial contamination in rainwater describes how and which particles in the atmosphere are dissolved by rainwater [10].…”

Section: Rainwater Runoff Quality Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Simulation of Decentralised Water and Energy Supply Concepts – Case Study of Rainwater Harvesting at the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity in Cambodia

Czarny¹,

Präbst²,

Spinnler³

et al. 2017

J. sustain. dev. energy water environ. syst.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Besides a sufficient energy supply, concepts for accommodations require an intelligent water management. Using the example of quarters that do not have water and energy access, a dynamic simulation model is presented in which a rainwater harvesting concept is implemented and simulated over one year using MATLAB-Simulink. The aim is to minimize respectively suspend the use of fossil energy sources and to guarantee the provision of decentralized clean drinking water. Since traditional water bodies, e.g. groundwater, are increasingly polluted and depleted, utilisation of alternative sources is prudent. Especially in rural areas, where access to drinking water is scarce, rainwater is suitable for providing potable water. Besides its beneficial chemical water properties, it is easily accessed in a decentralized manner, which makes it a preferred choice in areas with sufficient precipitation. However, access to rainwater is limited by its occurrence and contamination, calling for proper storage, utilisation, and treatment strategies. For this purpose, a rainwater harvesting system, including different water and energy management systems, was modelled and implemented using the site of the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity in Cambodia as an example. For the simulation, a precipitation generator was implemented using real historical rain event data. An appropriate rainwater treatment process was chosen, consisting of a microfiltration and a subsequent ultrafiltration unit removing bacteriological loads entirely. Both were modelled and implemented dynamically. Using the site of the Angkor Centre of Conservation of Biodiversity, a complete rainwater harvesting plant was implemented including harvest, storage, and utilization of rainwater. Further, a renewable energy * Corresponding author Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment SystemsYear 2017 Volume 5, Issue 4, pp 626-644 627 management strategy is developed, using photovoltaic modules and batteries. It was shown that the cumulative runoff meets the water demand of the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity and that the energy demand of the rainwater system as well as the site can be met by the installed photovoltaics on the existing roof area.

show abstract

“…Research into the quality of harvested rainwater and health risks associated with potable and nonpotable end uses has been undertaken in a range of contexts (Lye, 2002;CRC, 2005;Meera and Ahmed, 2006;Fewtrell and Kay, 2007a;Ahmed et al, 2011;Ward, 2010 andde Kwaadsteniet et al, 2013). This is in recognition that although rainwater generally does not contain many contaminants, except those derived from the atmosphere, once it is harvested and stored the quality may deteriorate, particularly from a microbiological perspective, due to a range of variables.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As noted by de Kwaadsteniet et al (2013), RWH POU treatment devices incorporating ozonation have received limited attention in the literature to date, primarily due to their reduced efficacy for poor, rural communities. However, as RWH systems have become more common in urban locations in developed countries (Melville-Shreeve et al, 2015) where there are significant concerns over health risk (Fewtrell et al, 2008), reconsideration of the efficacy of such devices is warranted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alleviating health risks associated with rainwater harvesting

Ward

Butler

DalyBebhinn

et al. 2017

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Perceived and real public health risks associated with the quality of water from alternative water sources and supply systems, such as rainwater harvesting (RWH) and greywater reuse, continue to restrict their uptake in many countries. One option to alleviate these health risks is to treat alternative water to potable standard at the point of use (POU) as opposed to the point of supply, as undertaken in centralised systems. This paper presents the results of three international empirical field trials of a novel POU RWH treatment device. Results indicate that where the harvested rainwater did not contain elevated levels of pesticides or physicochemical determinands, the POU device was able to reduce levels in outlet water to meet UK, EU and WHO potable standards. Regarding microbiological determinands, such as total viable counts and coliforms, and microbial pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Legionella spp, the device achieved reduction to potable standard and full pathogen removal, respectively. Thus whilst it is possible to treat harvested rainwater to potable standard with a POU device, whether it is desirable to do so to alleviate risks for all end uses remains a question for further debate.

show abstract

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

Cited by 94 publications

References 83 publications

Microbial quality and suitability of roof-harvested rainwater in rural villages for crop irrigation and domestic use

Microbial quality and suitability of roof-harvested rainwater in rural villages for crop irrigation and domestic use

Development and Simulation of Decentralised Water and Energy Supply Concepts – Case Study of Rainwater Harvesting at the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity in Cambodia

Alleviating health risks associated with rainwater harvesting

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About