Characterization of rainwater from rainwater harvesting in relation to its usage for human consumption

Abstract

The practice of rainwater harvesting is such providing both potable and non-potable supply of water, and it was applied then to meet the higher demand of world population nowadays, moreover among the communities in rural areas. The issue with rainwater harvesting is a potential source of nonpoint pollution due to the reason of leaching process from roof. On determination of rainwater quality, roof type is an important factor that needs to be considered. The analysis of rainwater quality was investigated for the physicochemical tests at increment of each 5 minutes interval in about 25 minutes. The parameters on physicochemical tests involved are pH measurement, turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), total hardness, and presence of heavy metals. The pH measurement shown to be consistent, but some of rain event shows the pattern of inconsistent value towards the increasing of 5 minutes interval. The turbidity were decreased towards the time increment. Total hardness was found to be the highest at the range of 5 to 10 minutes. Test on presence of heavy metal proved on the presence of Ferum (Fe) and Calcium (Ca) in the rainwater samples collected from asbestos-cement roof type. The optimum ‘first-flush’ period duration was determined as for first 10 minutes of rain event.