A New Approach to Urban Rainwater Management

Based on an analysis of our research results and the main problems relating to urban rainwater treatment, we propose a new approach to urban rainwater management in China. The necessity and feasibility of such a new approach are discussed. From an ecological point of view all components of the global system, including residents living in cities, have the same right to enjoy rainwater. Therefore, urban rainwater should neither be simply drained as waste water, nor be completely harvested as a kind of resource. The objective of this new approach is to maintain the natural hydrological cycle in urban areas during urbanization. When necessary, it could also be used to regulate the amount of runoff, evaporation and infiltration in a city in order to rehabilitate the hydrological cycle given the local conditions. Three basic principles should be adopted in rainwater management, i.e., separation of rainfall from sewage, limited utilization and small and decentralized facilities. Four methods can be used for urban rainwater management: rainwater harvest, rainwater infiltration, rainwater storage and rainwater pipes. The natural hydrological cycle in urban areas could be rehabilitated through rainwater management, which is of great importance for sustainable development of our cities.

Pollution control of outfall of rainwater-sewage confluence in old town

In order to improve water quality of middle ancient canal in Zhenjiang city a pollution control project was carried out.The research area is the middle catchment area of the ancient canal river system in the old town of Zhenjiang. The specific research object is the runoff of the outfall of rainwater-sewage confluence in the area. On the basis of detecting and analyzing the water yield and water quality of the runoff of rainwater-sewage confluence a combined technology which contains four independent continuous processes for lowering pollution load was developed and system equipment was established and put into operation. The processing effects of the project were monitored and analyzed.The results show that the pollution control project of outfall runoff is efficient which decreases the pollution load including chemical oxygen demand COD total phosphorus TP suspended solids SS and ammonia-nitrogen NH3-N .As a result the water environment of the ancient canal is protected.

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.

Physical simulation of urban rainfall infiltration

To meet the demand of urban rainwater integrated management,we designed and complemented a physical simulation experimental system of urban rainfall infiltration regulation parameters.We discuss the feasibility of quantitative regulations of urban underlying surface rainfall infiltration conditions and a practical application of a simulated experimental system.In a com- prehensive analysis of the composition of an effective rainwater harvesting system and selection of water storage material,we simulated the major parameters of an experimental area rainfall,soil moisture and water storage capacity by providing an effective regulation of the experimental area runoff coefficient,obtained from basic data.