IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/waterr/v29y2015i12p4357-4377.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimal Sizing of Rainwater Harvesting Tanks for Domestic Use in Greece

Author

Listed:
  • P. Londra
  • A. Theocharis
  • E. Baltas
  • V. Tsihrintzis

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting gains more and more ground as a modern, relatively inexpensive and simple water-saving technology, and as a sustainable water management practice, which saves water, and reduces stormwater runoff and peaks and non-point source pollution. In this paper, in order to determine the optimal size of rainwater harvesting tanks, two methods, the daily water balance method and the dry period demand method, are used in 75 regions of Greece to meet 30, 40 and 50 % of total water demands of households of 3 to 5 residents. The daily water balance method was developed based on a heuristic algorithm which uses the daily rainfall data, the rainfall collection area, the runoff coefficient, the available storage volume and the water demands, allowing excess water to overflow and setting public water supply to zero. The dry period demand method is based on meeting demand for the longest annual average dry period. According to the daily water balance method, in the majority of the 75 regions studied, tank sizes up to 50 m 3 can meet a 240 L/day demand (40 % of total daily demand of 4 residents) with roof area not exceeding 300 m 2 . More than 50 m 3 tank size is needed to meet demands of 300 L/day (40 % of 5 or 50 % of 4 residents) or 375 L/day (50 % of 5 residents). Results demonstrate that the tank size is strongly affected by the dry period length; small dry periods lead to small tanks, with the exception of low rainfall-high demand (300–375 L/day) case, where low rainfall increases sizes, having the dominant role. Comparison among the dry period demand and the daily water balance methods showed that in all cases, the dry period demand method calculates smaller tanks, with the exception of areas with medium-high rainfall and high dry period or low-medium demand (135–225 L/day) and high roof areas (more than 300 m 2 ). Therefore, the main conclusion is that the rainwater harvesting tank capacity is strongly affected by various local variables and cannot be formulated. However, the method presented here can be programmed in a spreadsheet with no much effort, making harvesting tank computations easy. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • P. Londra & A. Theocharis & E. Baltas & V. Tsihrintzis, 2015. "Optimal Sizing of Rainwater Harvesting Tanks for Domestic Use in Greece," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(12), pages 4357-4377, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:29:y:2015:i:12:p:4357-4377
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-015-1064-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1007/s11269-015-1064-1
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11269-015-1064-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. Tsubo, M. & Walker, S. & Hensley, M., 2005. "Quantifying risk for water harvesting under semi-arid conditions: Part I. Rainfall intensity generation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 76(2), pages 77-93, August.
    3. Enedir Ghisi, 2010. "Parameters Influencing the Sizing of Rainwater Tanks for Use in Houses," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(10), pages 2381-2403, August.
    4. Chiu, Yie-Ru & Liaw, Chao-Hsien & Chen, Liang-Ching, 2009. "Optimizing rainwater harvesting systems as an innovative approach to saving energy in hilly communities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 492-498.
    5. Adel Al-Salaymeh & Issam Al-Khatib & Hassan Arafat, 2011. "Towards Sustainable Water Quality: Management of Rainwater Harvesting Cisterns in Southern Palestine," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(6), pages 1721-1736, April.
    6. 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.
    7. C. Vialle & C. Sablayrolles & M. Lovera & M.-C. Huau & S. Jacob & M. Montrejaud-Vignoles, 2012. "Water Quality Monitoring and Hydraulic Evaluation of a Household Roof Runoff Harvesting System in France," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(8), pages 2233-2241, June.
    8. Xingqi Zhang & Maochuan Hu, 2014. "Effectiveness of Rainwater Harvesting in Runoff Volume Reduction in a Planned Industrial Park, China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(3), pages 671-682, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. George Kyriakarakos & George Papadakis & Christos A. Karavitis, 2022. "Renewable Energy Desalination for Island Communities: Status and Future Prospects in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-23, July.
    2. Yan-Zhao Jin & Lu-Wen Zhou & Kwong Fai Andrew Lo, 2018. "Optimum Matching Model Using Long-Term Computing on Safer Rural Domestic Water Supply Based on Rainwater Harvesting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Elissavet Feloni & Panagiotis T. Nastos, 2024. "Evaluating Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Water Scarcity Mitigation in Small Greek Islands under Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Moniruzzaman, Muhammad & Imteaz, Monzur A., 2017. "Generalized equations, climatic and spatial variabilities of potential rainwater savings: A case study for Sydney," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 139-156.
    5. Amjad Khan & Yoonkyung Park & Jongpyo Park & Reeho Kim, 2022. "Assessment of Rainwater Harvesting Facilities Tank Size Based on a Daily Water Balance Model: The Case of Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-15, November.
    6. Xueer Jing & Shouhong Zhang & Jianjun Zhang & Yujie Wang & Yunqi Wang & Tongjia Yue, 2018. "Analysis and Modelling of Stormwater Volume Control Performance of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Four Climatic Zones of China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 32(8), pages 2649-2664, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Enedir Ghisi & Pedro Schondermark, 2013. "Investment Feasibility Analysis of Rainwater Use in Residences," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(7), pages 2555-2576, May.
    2. Mokhtar Guizani, 2016. "Storm Water Harvesting in Saudi Arabia: a Multipurpose Water Management Alternative," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(5), pages 1819-1833, March.
    3. Mokhtar Guizani, 2016. "Storm Water Harvesting in Saudi Arabia: a Multipurpose Water Management Alternative," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(5), pages 1819-1833, March.
    4. Lúcio Proença & Enedir Ghisi, 2013. "Assessment of Potable Water Savings in Office Buildings Considering Embodied Energy," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(2), pages 581-599, January.
    5. Gabriel Yoshino & Lindemberg Fernandes & Júnior Ishihara & Adnilson Silva, 2014. "Use of rainwater for non-potable purposes in the Amazon," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 431-442, April.
    6. Chen Shiguang & Zeng Haoxin & Sun Hongwei & Liu Song & Yang Yongmin, 2024. "How to determine the cistern volume of rainwater harvesting system: an analytical solution based on roof areas and water demands," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 20413-20438, August.
    7. Proença, Lúcio Costa & Ghisi, Enedir & Tavares, Davi da Fonseca & Coelho, Gabriel Marcon, 2011. "Potential for electricity savings by reducing potable water consumption in a city scale," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 960-965.
    8. Jing, Xueer & Zhang, Shouhong & Zhang, Jianjun & Wang, Yujie & Wang, Yunqi, 2017. "Assessing efficiency and economic viability of rainwater harvesting systems for meeting non-potable water demands in four climatic zones of China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 74-85.
    9. Okoye, Chiemeka Onyeka & Solyalı, Oğuz & Akıntuğ, Bertuğ, 2015. "Optimal sizing of storage tanks in domestic rainwater harvesting systems: A linear programming approach," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 131-140.
    10. Vieira, Abel S. & Beal, Cara D. & Ghisi, Enedir & Stewart, Rodney A., 2014. "Energy intensity of rainwater harvesting systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 225-242.
    11. 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.
    12. J. Hathaway & W. Hunt & D. McCarthy, 2015. "Variability of Intra-event Statistics for Multiple Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Urban Stormwater," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(10), pages 3635-3649, August.
    13. Sara Lucía Jiménez Ariza & José Alejandro Martínez & Andrés Felipe Muñoz & Juan Pablo Quijano & Juan Pablo Rodríguez & Luis Alejandro Camacho & Mario Díaz-Granados, 2019. "A Multicriteria Planning Framework to Locate and Select Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) in Consolidated Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-33, April.
    14. Imteaz, Monzur Alam & Paudel, Upendra & Ahsan, Amimul & Santos, Cristina, 2015. "Climatic and spatial variability of potential rainwater savings for a large coastal city," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 143-147.
    15. Iman Saeedi & Mohsen Goodarzi, 2020. "Rainwater harvesting system: a sustainable method for landscape development in semiarid regions, the case of Malayer University campus in Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 1579-1598, February.
    16. Chidozie Charles Nnaji & Nkpa Mba Ogarekpe & Ekene Jude Nwankwo, 2022. "Temporal and spatial dynamics of land use and land cover changes in derived savannah hydrological basin of Enugu State, Nigeria," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 9598-9622, July.
    17. Aditi Mankad & Meng Chong & Ted Gardner & Ashok Sharma, 2012. "Examining Biophysical and Socio-Demographic Factors across Mandated Tank Users in Urban Australia: A Linking Step towards Achieving Best Practices," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(7), pages 1983-1998, May.
    18. Q. Tan & G. Huang & Y. Cai, 2013. "Multi-Source Multi-Sector Sustainable Water Supply Under Multiple Uncertainties: An Inexact Fuzzy-Stochastic Quadratic Programming Approach," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(2), pages 451-473, January.
    19. Kwangsik Jung & Taeseop Lee & Byeong Choi & Seungkwan Hong, 2015. "Rainwater Harvesting System for Contiunous Water Supply to the Regions with High Seasonal Rainfall Variations," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(3), pages 961-972, February.
    20. Tariq Judeh & Isam Shahrour & Fadi Comair, 2022. "Smart Rainwater Harvesting for Sustainable Potable Water Supply in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-22, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:29:y:2015:i:12:p:4357-4377. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.