Developing a methodology for appraising rainwater harvesting with integrated source control using a case study from South-West England

Melville-Shreeve, P; Ward, S; Butler, D

Abstract

A methodology has been developed to design and evaluate rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems incorporating “retention and throttle” passive control. Two drainage design options were developed and assessed using hydraulic models for a case study site in south-west England. Through an iterative design approach, the inclusion of retention and throttle RWH tanks at each house allowed the site’s conventionally designed stormwater attenuation tank to be reduced in volume by 44 % from 18 m3 to 10 m3 when designed based on the 100 year return period rainfall event. Each RWH tank had a volume of 4 m3 and a 20 mm diameter outlet orifice located 1.5 m3 from the top of each tank. The study concluded that the retention and throttle RWH concept has good potential for implementation in the UK. Savings generated by the reduced attenuation requirements could be reallocated towards the cost of RWH installations. Cost estimates for the case study site illustrate that an overall cost saving can be achieved where RWH with throttle and retention tanks were included.

Citation

Melville-Shreeve, P., Ward, S., & Butler, D. (2014, September). Developing a methodology for appraising rainwater harvesting with integrated source control using a case study from South-West England. Paper presented at 13th International Conference on Urban Drainage

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 13th International Conference on Urban Drainage
• Start Date: Sep 7, 2014
• End Date: Sep 12, 2014
• Acceptance Date: Sep 7, 2014
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: attenuation, rainwater harvesting, source control, SuDS, water efficiency
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : 13th International Conference on Urban Drainage