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Assessing the Potential for Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting from Large Public Institutions
Dagnachew Adugna1,2, Marina Bergen Jensen3, Brook Lemma4
1Ethiopian institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 580, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. dagnachew2@gmail.com.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|February 15, 2018
Summary
Rooftop rainwater harvesting (RWH) in Addis Ababa can supply up to 2.3% of annual potable water needs. Large institutions can significantly improve local water availability and demonstrate RWH potential.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Urban Planning
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Urbanization and population growth in Addis Ababa exacerbate water supply deficits.
- A significant water supply deficit of 41% was recorded in 2016.
- Large public institutions were identified as key sites for investigating rainwater harvesting potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the potential contribution of rooftop rainwater harvesting (RWH) from large public institutions to Addis Ababa's water supply.
- To quantify the RWH potential and compare it with institutional water consumption.
- To explore the role of RWH in addressing water scarcity in specific localities.
Main Methods:
- Selection and categorization of 320 large public institutions.
- Digitalization of 588 representative rooftops (25-30% of selected institutions).
- Computation of potential RWH volume using a ten-year rainfall dataset.
Main Results:
- Rooftop RWH can potentially supply up to 2.3% of the city's annual potable water.
- Institutional self-sufficiency through RWH ranges from 0.9% to 649%.
- Non-uniform rainfall patterns highlight the critical role of storage tank size for dry season coverage.
Conclusions:
- Rooftop RWH from large institutions offers a viable strategy to supplement water supply and alleviate shortages in critical areas.
- These institutions can serve as pioneers, promoting RWH adoption across diverse rooftop types.
- Further research on cost-benefit analysis and affordable storage solutions is recommended to maximize RWH impact.
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