Harvesting Energy Via Water Movement and Surface Ionics in Microfibrous Ceramic Wools

Due to the push for carbon neutrality in various human activities,the development of methods for producing electricity without relying on chemical reaction processes or heat sources has become highly significant.Also,the challenge lies in achieving microwatt-scale outputs due to the inherent conductivity of the materials and diverting electric currents.To address this challenge,our research has concentrated on utilizing nonconductive mediums for water-based low-cost microfibrous ceramic wools in conjunction with a NaCl aqueous solution for power generation.The main source of electricity originates from the directed movement of water molecules and surface ions through densely packed microfibrous ceramic wools due to the effect of dynamic electric double layer.This occurrence bears resemblance to the natural water transpiration in plants,thereby presenting a fresh and straightforward approach for producing electricity in an ecofriendly manner.The generator module demonstrated in this study,measuring 12×6 cm^(2),exhibited a noteworthy open-circuit voltage of 0.35 V,coupled with a short-circuit current of 0.51 mA.Such low-cost ceramic wools are suitable for ubiquitous,permanent energy sources and hold potential for use as self-powered sensors and systems,eliminating the requirement for external energy sources such as sunlight or heat.

Design Method of Rainwater Harvesting System for Afforestation in Loess Plateau

On the basis of natural conditions of lack of rainfall on the Loess Plateau, this paper presents a method of design and construction in rainwater harvesting system for afforestation, which is suitable to the regions of 300 600?mm rainfall. The system consists of micro catchments of various forms and sizes that include planting areas, where trees are planted and trapped runoff, and contributing areas, where overland flow are produced by rainfall. The design is based on rainfall, runoff coefficients of contributing areas, evapotranspiration of trees and soil surface, water deficiency of soil, and environmental capacity of precipitation in the region, and so on. Runoff coefficient of contributing areas with YJG (organic silicon chemical treatment), compacted surface soil slope and natural slope micro catchments, are 0 8 0 89, 0 23 0 36, and 0 08 0 10 respectively. According to the Penman method, the soil water deficiency varies from 50?mm to 300?mm. In the region of 400?mm precipitation, the contributing area treated with YJG is 3 4?m 2 for timber forests, 8 10?m 2 for cash trees respectively; the contributing area treated with compacted soil surface is 6 8?m\+2 for timber forests, 10 12?m 2 for cash trees respectively; the contributing area of natural slope is 8 10?m 2 for timber forests, 12 15?m 2 for cash trees respectively. Transpiration from trees of micro catchment in YJG, compacted surface soil and natural slope treatment is by 47 65% 53 31%, 24 10% 36 93%, and 18 65% 29 55% of total rainfall (rainfall and harvested rainwater) respectively after the system was applied in the region. This system, which has been widely practising on the Loess Plateau, is now known as runoff forestry.

Water and Energy Conservation of Rainwater Harvesting System in the Loess Plateau of China

Water is the source of all the creatures on the earth and energy is the main factor driving the world. With the increasing population and global change, water and energy conservation have become worldwide focal issues, particularly in the water-stressed and energy-limited regions. Rainwater harvesting, based on the collection and storage of rainfall runoff, has been widely used for domestic use and agricultural production in arid and semiarid regions. It has advantages of simple operation, high adaption, low cost and less energy consumption. This study reviewed rainwater harvesting systems adopted in the Loess Plateau of China and analyzed water use efficiency （WUE） for various rainwater harvesting techniques. Supplemental irrigation using harvested rainwater could increase crop yield by more than 30%, and WUE ranged from 0.7 to 5.7 kg m4 for spring wheat, corn and flax, and 30-40 kg m-3 for vegetables. Moreover, energy consumption for rainwater harvesting based on single family was compared with traditional water supply in the city of the Loess Plateau using the life cycle assessment （LCA） method. Results showed that energy consumption yielded per unit harvested rainwater was 25.96 MJ m-3 yr which was much less than 62.25 MJ m3 yr^-1 for main water supply in Baoji City, Shanxi Province, meaning that rainwater harvesting saved energy by 139.8% as compared to the main water supply system. This study highlights the importance and potential of rainwater harvesting for water and energy conservation in the near future.

Rainwater harvesting to alleviate water scarcity in dry conditions:A case study in Faria Catchment,Palestine

In arid and semi-arid regions, the availability of adequate water of appropriate quality has become a limiting factor for development. This paper aims to evaluate the potential for rainwater harvesting in the arid to semi-arid Faria Catchment, in the West Bank, Palestine. Under current conditions, the supply-demand gap is increasing due to the increasing water demands of a growing population with hydrologically limited and uncertain supplies. By 2015, the gap is estimated to reach 4.5 x 106 m3. This study used the process-oriented and physically-based TRAIN-ZIN model to evaluate two different rainwater harvesting techniques during two rainfall events. The analysis shows that there is a theoretical potential for harvesting an additional 4 x 106 m3 of surface water over the entire catchment. Thus, it is essential to manage the potential available surface water supplies in the catchment to save water for dry periods when the supply-demand gap is comparatively high. Then a valuable contribution to bridging the supply-demand gap can be made.

Chicken Eggshell as an Innovative Bioflocculant in Harvesting Biofloc for Aquaculture Wastewater Treatment

Implementation of biofloc technology(BFT)system in aquaculture industry shows high productivity,low feed conversion ratio,and an optimum culture environment.This study was divided into two phases.The first phase involved maintaining the water quality using the optimum carbon-to-nitrogen ratio by manipulating pH in culture water.The second phase examined the performance of harvesting biofloc(remaining phytoplankton and suspended solids in the system)using chicken eggshell powder(CESP).This study showed that pH 7 to 8 were the best biofloc performance with high removal percentage of ammonia(>99%)with a remaining ammonia concentration of 0.016 mg L^(−1)and 0.018 mg L^(−1),respectively.The second phase of this study was performed to determine the optimal formulation and conditions of using CESP as a bio-flocculant in harvesting excess biofloc.The use of eggshell showed a higher harvesting efficiency of more than 80%under the following treatment conditions:0.25 g L^(−1)of eggshell dosage;with rapid and slow mixing rates of 150 and 30 rpm,respectively;30 min of settling time;settling velocity of 0.39 mm s^(−1)and pH of 6 to 7.Therefore,the results indicated that biofloc would be the best green technology approach for sustainable aquaculture wastewater and the CESP is an organic matrix that environmental-friendly bio-coagulant for biofloc harvesting.

A preliminary sustainability assessment of innovative rainwater harvesting for residential properties in the UK

Rainwater harvesting RWH has yet to see significant uptake in UK households primarily due to a lack of innovation in residential RWH system types.This ppa er presents the results of per liminary investigations into a range of traditional and innovative residential-scale RWH systems. These systems are examined using a patent application search informal interviews with industry professionals cost-benefit analysis and a simple multi criteria analysis MCA .The latter examines the sustainability of the systems based on a priori social economic and ne vironmenat l criteria.Two of the innovative systems are subject to a more detailed analysis and benchmarked agains ta rt aditional system.Results of the MCA indicate that the innovative RWH systems achieve better sustainability scores than the traditional RWH with a lower capital cost.Further research is focused on monitoring the identified systems to generate empir cal datasets in order to undertake the WLC/LCAs and to identify challenges associated with installation.

Core-shell-embedded Mesoporous Silica Capsules for Atmospheric Water Harvesting

A one-step ultrasonic mechanical method was used to synthesize a kind of atmospheric water harvesting material with high water harvesting performance in a wide relative humidity(RH)range,especially at low RH(RH<40%),namely,mesoporous silica capsule(MSC)with core-shell structure.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM),nitrogen adsorption and other characterization techniques were used to study the formation process of nano-microspheres.A new mechanism of self-adaptive concentration gradient regulation of silicon migration and recombination core-shell structure was proposed to explain the formation of a cavity in the MSC system.The core-shell design can enhance the specific surface area and pore volume while maintaining the monodispersity and mesoporous size.To study the water harvesting performance of MSC,solid silica nanoparticles(SSN)and mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSN)were prepared.In a small atmospheric water collection test(25℃,40%RH),the water vapour adsorption and desorption kinetics of MSC,SSN,MSN and a commercial silica gel(CSG)were compared and analyzed.The results show that the MSC with mesoporous channels and core-shell structure can provide about 0.324 gwater/gadsorbent,79%higher than the CSG(0.181 gwater/gadsorbent).It is 25.1%higher than that of 0.259 gwater/gadsorbentof un-hollowed MSN and 980%higher than that of0.03 gwater/gadsorbentof un-hollowed SSN.The material has a large specific surface area and pore volume,simple preparation method and low cost,which provides a feasible idea for realising atmospheric water collection in arid and semi-arid regions.

Evaluation of Rainwater Harvesting Methods and Structures Using Analytical Hierarchy Process for a Large Scale Industrial Area

In India, with ever increasing population and stress on natural resources, especially water, rejuvenation of rainwater harvesting (RWH) technique which was forgotten over the days is becoming very essential. Large number of RWH methods that are available in the literature are demand specific and site specific, since RWH system depends on the topography, land use, land cover, rainfall and demand pattern. Thus for each and every case, a detailed evaluation of RWH structures is required for implementation, including the analy-sis of hydrology, topography and other aspects like site availability and economics, however a common methodology could be evolved. The present study was aimed at evaluation of various RWH techniques in order to identify the most appropriate technique suitable for a large scale industrial area to meet its daily wa-ter demand. An attempt is made to determine the volume of water to be stored using mass balance method, Ripple diagram method, analytical method, and sequent peak algorithm method. Based on various satisfying criteria, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is employed to determine the most appropriate type of RWH method and required number of RWH structures in the study area. If economy alone is considered along with hydrological and site specific parameters, recharging the aquifer has resulted as a better choice. However other criteria namely risk, satisfaction in obtaining required volume of water for immediate utilization etc. has resulted in opting for concrete storage structures method. From the results it is found that AHP, if used with all possible criteria can result in a better tool for evaluation of RWH methods and structures. This RWH structures not only meets the demand but saves transportation cost of water and reduces the dependability of the industry on irrigation reservoir. Besides monetary benefits it is hoped that the micro environment inside the industry will improve due to the cooling effect of the stored water.

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting with supplemental irrigation to improve seed yield and water use efficiency of winter oilseed rape(Brassica napus L.)

Ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting （RFRH） planting pattern can lessen the effect of water deficits throughout all crop growth stages, but water shortage would remain unavoidable during some stages of crop growth in arid and semiarid areas. Supplemental irrigation would still be needed to achieve a higher production. Field experiments were conducted for two growing seasons （2012-2013 and 2013-2014）to determine an appropriate amount of supplemental irrigation to be applied to winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage with RFRH planting pattern. Four treatments, including supplemental irrigation amount of 0 （I1）, 60 mm （I2） and 120 mm （I3） with RFRH planting pattern and a control （CK） irrigated with 120 mm with flat planting pattern, were set up to evaluate the effects of supplemental irrigation on aboveground dry matter （ADM）, nitrogen nutrition index （NNI）, radiation use efficiency （RUE）, water use efficiency （WUE）, and seed yield and oil content of the oilseed rape. Results showed that supplemental irrigation improved NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE. However, the NNI, RUE, seed yield and oil content, and WUE did not increase significantly or even showed a downward trend with excessive irrigation. Seed yield was the highest in 13 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in 13 averaged 3235 kg ha^-1 and 8.85 kg ha^-1 mm-1, respectively. The highest WUE was occurred in 12 for both growing seasons. Seed yield and WUE in 12 averaged 3089 kg ha^-1 and 9.63 kg ha^-1 mm^-1, respectively. Compared to 13, 12 used 60 mm less irrigation amount, had an 8.9% higher WUE, but only 4.5 and 0.4% lower seed yield and oil content, respectively. 12 saved water without substantially sacrificing yield or oil content, so it is recommended as an appropriate cultivation and irrigation schedule for winter oilseed rape at the stem-elongation stage.

Application of Mulching Materials of Rainfall Harvesting System for Improving Soil Water and Corn Growth in Northwest of China

The ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting（RFRH） system is used for dryland crop production in northwest of China.To determine the effects of RFRH using different mulching materials on corn growth and water use efficiency（WUE）,a field experiment was conducted during 2008-2010 at the Heyang Dryland Experimental Station,China.Four treatments were used in the study.Furrows received uncovered mulching in all RFRH treatments whereas ridges were mulched with plastic film（PF）,biodegradable film（BF） or liquid film（LF）.A conventional flat field without mulching was used as the control（CK）.The results indicated that the average soil water storage at depths of 0-200 cm were 8.2 and 7.3%,respectively higher with PF and BF than with CK.However,LF improved soil water storage during the early growth stage of the crop.Compared with CK,the corn yields with PF and BF were increased by 20.4 and 19.4%,respectively,and WUE with each treatment increased by 23.3 and 21.7%,respectively.There were no significant differences in corn yield or WUE with the PF and BF treatments.The net income was the highest with PF,followed by BF,and the 3-yr average net incomes with these treatments were increased by 2 559 and 2 430 CNY ha-1,respectively,compared with CK.BF and PF had similar effects in enhancing the soil water content,crop yield and net income.Therefore,it can be concluded that biodegradable film may be a sustainable ecological alternative to plastic film for use in the RFRH system in northwest of China.

Household model of rainwater harvesting system in Mexican urban zones

This paper describes a household model of the rainwater harvesting system in residential development of Tlaquepaque Jalisco Mexico. Harvested rainwater is estimated for designing a rainwater catchment system which reflects the maximum water supply to a household.Based on the estimation of the harvested rainwater the total water demand is calculated in order to explore the possible uses of rainwater. Major components in the rainwater catchment system are as follows catchment area downspout roof drain pipe and first flush tank cistern infiltration well pumping station and filtering system and ultraviolet UV water treatment.The rainwater harvesting system is designed to operate as the part of the central water supply system.This paper exposes the process of design and construction and its cost.In this way it aims to establish a technical and conceptual reference which enables the citizens to design their rainwater systems and their construction. This model will produce an important experience that can help to improve the systems in a Mexican context.It can be also useful for the international community.

Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting as an Alternative Domestic Water Resource in Zambia

Within the last decade, substantial progress has been achieved in the management of centralized water reticulation in Zambia. Characterized by diversified fiscal resourcing, concurrent institutional restructuring and introduction of new players in water governance, the water sector is set to achieve improved reliability on sustainable grounds. However, the threat of underground water pollution resulting from increased urbanization besides the unreliable energy sector presents new challenges for the current urban water. In effect, urban areas are affected by chronic water rationing creating public stress and insecurity which impacts domestic development. While the course of development has meant investment in the extension and expansion of water infrastructure in Zambia, alternative urban water resources are being sought to address challenges of traditional water systems globally. This paper therefore attempts to make a case for the modernization of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) as an augmenting water resource in the Zambian urban housing sector. Here—in, it is identified as a Low Impact Development technology within the Integrated Urban Water Management framework currently being forged by local water. Based on a desktop literature survey and online questionnaire survey, an argument to support the development of RRWH in Zambia was developed. While literature survey results revealed evidence of economic loss and a growing compromise to public health resulting from inconsistent water supply in the study area of Lusaka city, the online questionnaire survey depicted significant domestic stress due to erratic water supply. Results confirmed that at one time residents observed an average of eight hours of power blackouts which effectively induced water disruption forcing homeowners to engage in various water storage methods which in turn are costly on domestic time, health and finances. A retrospective discussion based on both survey results attempts to present benefits and opportunities of urban RRWH to water sector stakeholders providing recommendations towards the mainstreaming of the practice in Zambia.

Water harvesting experiences from the southern and eastern Africa rainwater network

This paper shares experiences of the southern and eastern Africa rainwater network on rainwater harvesting.It also shares the lessons drawn from policy research awareness creation and networking building of national networks and assessment of promising water harvesting techniques in the Sub-Saharan Africa.The concerted promotional effort of the southern and eastern Africa rainwater network has resulted in the general acceptance of rainwater harvesting as a viable option for boosting domestic water supply agricultural production and environmental sustainability.To date twelve nationally registered rainwater harvesting associations have been established which are providing leadership and capacity building in rainwater harvesting.Governments and donors are also aligning their policies towards providing increased financial institutional and technical support for upscaling rainwater-harvesting techniques. This paper concludes that diligent land and water management is necessary for yielding the highest benefits from rainwater.In addition to enabling policies and institutions there must be ample budgetary support to increase adoption of the technology.

Complementing Water Supply through Rainwater Harvesting in Some Selected Villages of Sahel Savannah Ecological Zone in Borno State Northeastern Nigeria

One of the greatest environmental challenges that confront rural communities in Nigeria especially in Borno state is scarcity of water supply. Rainwater harvesting can reduce over dependence on centralized piped water supply and checkmate climate change. This study in two rural communities determined the water per capita use, examined water sources and then estimated the amount of rainwater that can be harvested by households in these villages. The villages are Kukurpu and Yelwa Bam in Hawul local government area of Borno state Nigeria. The choice of the villages is justified on the basis of their location in the semi-arid region of the Sahel ecological zone with lesser rainfall compared to other parts in the region. Lack of adequate access to water supply is precursor to water related diseases and challenge to sustainable development. This study used scheduled interview with households and 100 household were surveyed using simple random sampling. In each of the village, 50 observations were made Results revealed that 87% of the households rely water from hand dug wells, ephemeral streams and boreholes equipped with manual hand pumps that are susceptible to drought and frequent breakdown. Borno state where the villages are located had a mean annual rainfall of 860 mm from 1980 to 2009;however, the annual rainwater harvesting potential was put at 51.21 m3. Although over 80% are aware of rainwater harvesting practices only 2% of households harvest rainwater due to the seasonality of rain-fall coupled with inadequate water storage facilities. There is therefore the need to embark on massive rainwater harvesting with corresponding water reservoir as a way to reduce the effects of the five months dry spell experienced in the region.

Effects of Ridge-Mulching with Plastic Sheets for Rainwater-Harvesting Cultivation on WUE and Yield of Winter Wheat

A field experiment was conducted in a manural loesial soil in middle of Shaanxi Province ofChina, a sub-humid area prone to drought, to study the effects of rainwater-harvestingcultivation on water use efficiency (WUE) and yield of winter wheat. Ridge-furrow tillage wasused, the ridge being mulched by plastic sheets for rainwater harvesting while seeding in thefurrows. Results showed that from sowing to reviving stage of winter wheat, water stored in 0-100 cm layer was significantly decreased whereas that in 100-200 cm layer did not change.Compared to the non-mulching, plastic mulch retained 6.5 mm more water as an average of the twoN rate treatments, having a certain effect on conservation of soil moisture. In contrast, atharvest, water was remarkably reduced in both the 0-100 cm and the 100-200 cm layers, andmulched plots consumed 34.8 mm more water as an average of the two treatments: low N rate (75kg N ha-1) with low plant density (2 300 000 plants ha-1) and high N rate (225 kg N ha-1)with highplant density (2 800 000 plants ha-1), in 0-200 cm layer than those without mulching, the formerbeing beneficial to plants in utilization of deep layer water. Mulching was significant inharvesting water and in increase of yield. Mulched with plastic sheets, biological and grainyields were 22.5 and 22.6% higher for the average of the high N rate than for the low N rate,and the high N rate with low plant density was 29.8 and 29.1% higher in both biological andgrain yields than that of the low N rate with low plant density. With high N rate and high plantdensity, the mulched biological and grain yields were 39.5 and 28.9% higher than the correspondingtreatments without mulching. Of the treatments, that with high N rate and low plant density wasthe highest in both biological and grain yields, and the water use efficiency reached 43.7 kgmm-1 ha-1 for biological yield and 22 kg mm-1 ha-1 for grain yield, being the highest WUE reportedin the world up to now.

Potential of rooftop rainwater harvesting to meet outdoor water demand in arid regions

The feasibility of rooftop rainwater harvesting （RRWH） as an alternative source of water to meet the outdoor water demand in nine states of the U.S. was evaluated using a system dynamics model developed in Systems Thinking, Experimental Learning Laboratory with Animation. The state of Arizona was selected to evaluate the effects of the selected model parameters on the efficacy of RRWH since among the nine states the arid region of Arizona showed the least potential of meeting the outdoor water demand with rain harvested water. The analyses were conducted on a monthly basis across a 10-year projected period from 2015 to 2024. The results showed that RRWH as a potential source of water was highly sensitive to certain model parameters such as the outdoor water demand, the use of desert landscaping, and the percentage of existing houses with RRWH. A significant difference （as high as 37.5%） in rainwater potential was observed between the projected wet and dry climate conditions in Arizona. The analysis of the dynamics of the storage tanks suggested that a 1.0-2.0 m3 rainwater barrel, on an average, can store approximately 80% of the monthly rainwater generated from the rooftops in Arizona, even across the high seasonal variation. This interactive model can be used as a quick estimator of the amount of water that could be generated, stored, and utilized through RRWH systems in the U.S. under different climate conditions. The findings of such comprehensive analyses may help regional policymakers, especially in arid regions, to develop a sustainable water management infrastructure.

Evaluation of rainwater harvesting and shrub establishment methods for sustainable watershed management in northern Afghanistan

Watershed rangelands in Northern Afghanistan provide various ecosystem services that support the local people's livelihoods,but they are now highly degraded essentially due to the continuous high grazing pressure and recurrent droughts.Effects of shrub establishment method enhanced by water harvesting techniques to rehabilitate degraded rangelands have not been well addressed.The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of direct seeding and transplanting of seedlings in combination with semi-circular bunds on growth,yield,and survival rate of four shrub species(Atriplex halimus,Atriplex nummularia,Atriplex lentiformis,andMaireana brevifolia)under semi-arid conditions of Sayyad village,Khulm watershed.Survival rate(%),plant height,width,and plant length(cm)and plant cover(%)were measured for each plant over five occasions.A non-destructive reference unit was used to estimate biomass production.The results showed that growth attributes and biomass production of shrubs were consistently greater in the transplanting compared to direct seeding.On average,the plant length,width,height,volume,cover,and biomass production of transplanted shrubs were greater than direct-seeded shrubs by 24.3%,8.6%,8.7%,121.5%,13.8% and 34.1%,respectively.Biomass production of transplanted seedlings was the highest for A.nummularia(1313.5 g DM/plant)and A.halimus(800 g DM/plant).There was a strong correlation between plant biomass production and plant volume(R^(2)_(Plant volume)=0.88)for the shrub A.nummularia,indicating that plant volume is a key variable for assessing biomass production for this species.Additionally,the survival rate of M.brevifolia was 100% in both planting methods,suggesting that based on better survival this halophytic plant has great potential when restoring degraded rangelands.Collectively,on the basis of better growth rates,yield,and survival,transplanting A.nummularia andA.halimus may enhance shrub establishment and contribute to the rehabilitation of sloping semi-arid degraded areas of Northern Afghanistan.

Strategies for Household Water Supply Improvement with Rainwater Harvesting

There are significant household water supply challenges including quantity sufficiency and quality, which have economic and social implications. The challenges have remained despite the efforts of government establishing centralized or groundwater systems, and/or having individual crude systems. A Tanzanian rural household case study was considered by assessing the performance of a currently relied surface runoff collecting pond system for domestic purposes. A daily water balance model was applied with performance parameters, no water days (NWD) and rainwater usage (RUR). Rooftop runoff harvesting system was proposed as a water supply source in addition to the current one. Under such dual supply conditions, users can meet the drinking and non-drinking demand even in dry seasons at a minimum of 2 and 20 L/person/d, respectively. For rainwater harvesting adoption (considering selected regions), it was further established that amount and variation in rainfall impacts on quantity available for meeting demand. Increased catchment implies increased harvestable quantity, and with same storage higher reduction of number of NWD although with slight decrease of RUR. Also, increased storage is required for achieving higher RUR in case the same demand is maintained. But same storage can be maintained for increased demand relative to catchment size. However, rainwater catchment increase has greater impact on meeting a specified demand under given condition of rainfall quantity and variation. The RWH technology strategies presented in this study are replicable in other developing countries under site specific conditions.

Analysis of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in Kabul New City: A Case Study for Family Houses and Educational Facilities

The Afghan government has planned the project of Kabul New City (KNC) to cope with the rapid growth of Kabul, an existing capital city. Due to climatic and topographical reasons, it is supposed that KNC suffers from a water scarcity problem. This study investigates the feasibility of a rooftop rainwater harvesting system in KNC to relieve the water scarcity problem. An applicability of the rooftop rainwater harvesting system was discussed for several types of residential houses and schools, using 11 years rainfall data. This study also examined the cost-effectiveness of the system by considering the service life of the system. Furthermore, an optimal size of the rainwater storage tank was discussed based on the balance among harvested rainwater volume, non-potable water demand, and cost-effectiveness.

Rainwater Harvesting in Multifamily Social Interest Housing

This study evaluated the reduction of water consumption in a SIH （social interest housing） complex from the simulation of implanting a rainwater harvesting system. The methodology consisted of characterization of the case study, survey data of water consumption and data of precipitation in the area, on-site visits to define the average consumption and monthly water distribution, and sizing of a rainwater harvesting tank following the Netuno Program. It was obtained 22.500 L as the ideal volume for the tank, supplying the demand for drinkingwater in 32%, although the reduction in the drinking water bills would be minor, since the object of the case study is considered SIH, and residents pay a fixed fee for consuming up to 10 m3 per month. Therefore, it becomes necessary to analyze this situation from a sustainable and environmental perspective, and the benefits are no longer only economic, but rather they take on a more comprehensive social dimension.