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Rainwater: A Potential Alternative Source for Scarce Safe Drinking and Arsenic Contaminated Water in Bangladesh

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  • Md. Islam
  • F. Chou
  • M. Kabir
  • C. Liaw

Abstract

Although Bangladesh receives plenty of rainwater during its monsoon, both rural and urban areas suffer from shortages of safe drinking water during dry season. Arsenic contamination of ground water affects many rural areas, whilst some urban areas including the capital, Dhaka City, lack sufficient potable ground water to meet the demand. To cope with the problem, this research explore: the feasibility of harvesting rainwater during monsoon as a source of quality safe drinking water in Dhaka City. A questionnaire survey was conducted about potable water shortage in four slums of Dhaka City. Rainwater was collected using a non-toxic waterproof cloth as a catchment during monsoon and stored in a ferro-cement storage tank with an initial flushing device attached at the inlet of the tank. Different important physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters were tested throughout the storage period of 4 months. The efficiency of the rainwater harvesting system increased from 51% to 80% before and after installing the system. The test results were compared with the Bangladesh water quality standards. The tests have revealed slightly higher pH value (8.1 to 8.3) and enormity of color beyond the acceptable range. Although the presence of total coliform was detected after three months, traditional filtering of that stored rainwater showed a promising solution to mitigate potable water shortages in Bangladesh. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Suggested Citation

  • Md. Islam & F. Chou & M. Kabir & C. Liaw, 2010. "Rainwater: A Potential Alternative Source for Scarce Safe Drinking and Arsenic Contaminated Water in Bangladesh," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(14), pages 3987-4008, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:24:y:2010:i:14:p:3987-4008
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-010-9643-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Pachpute & S. Tumbo & H. Sally & M. Mul, 2009. "Sustainability of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Rural Catchment of Sub-Saharan Africa," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(13), pages 2815-2839, October.
    2. Sayma Rahman & Faisal Hossain, 2008. "Spatial Assessment of Water Quality in Peripheral Rivers of Dhaka City for Optimal Relocation of Water Intake Point," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 22(3), pages 377-391, March.
    3. David Baguma & Willibald Loiskandl & Helmut Jung, 2010. "Water Management, Rainwater Harvesting and Predictive Variables in Rural Households," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(13), pages 3333-3348, October.
    4. Mohamed Ibrahim, 2009. "Rainwater Harvesting for Urban Areas: a Success Story from Gadarif City in Central Sudan," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(13), pages 2727-2736, October.
    5. Yan Zhang & Andrew Grant & Ashok Sharma & Donghui Chen & Liang Chen, 2010. "Alternative Water Resources for Rural Residential Development in Western Australia," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(1), pages 25-36, January.
    6. A. Jasrotia & Abinash Majhi & Sunil Singh, 2009. "Water Balance Approach for Rainwater Harvesting using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques, Jammu Himalaya, India," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(14), pages 3035-3055, November.
    7. Olanike Aladenola & Omotayo Adeboye, 2010. "Assessing the Potential for Rainwater Harvesting," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(10), pages 2129-2137, August.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Uende Gomes & Léo Heller & João Pena, 2012. "A National Program for Large Scale Rainwater Harvesting: An Individual or Public Responsibility?," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(9), pages 2703-2714, July.
    3. R. Rodriguez & F. Pruski & V. Singh, 2016. "Estimated Per Capita Water Usage Associated with Different Levels of Water Scarcity Risk in Arid and Semiarid Regions," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(4), pages 1311-1324, March.
    4. Chidozie Charles Nnaji & PraiseGod Chidozie Emenike & Imokhai Theophilus Tenebe, 2017. "An Optimization Approach for Assessing the Reliability of Rainwater Harvesting," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(6), pages 2011-2024, April.
    5. R. D. G. Rodriguez & F. F. Pruski & V. P. Singh, 2016. "Estimated Per Capita Water Usage Associated with Different Levels of Water Scarcity Risk in Arid and Semiarid Regions," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(4), pages 1311-1324, March.
    6. Mahmoud, Wifag Hassan & Elagib, Nadir Ahmed & Gaese, Hartmut & Heinrich, Jürgen, 2014. "Rainfall conditions and rainwater harvesting potential in the urban area of Khartoum," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 89-99.
    7. Chi-Hsiang Wang & Jane Blackmore, 2012. "Supply–Demand Risk and Resilience Assessment for Household Rainwater Harvesting in Melbourne, Australia," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(15), pages 4381-4396, December.

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