S. Ward
Performance of a large building rainwater harvesting system
Ward, S.; Memon, F. A.; Butler, D.
Authors
F. A. Memon
D. Butler
Abstract
Rainwater harvesting is increasingly becoming an integral part of the sustainable water management toolkit. Despite a plethora of studies modelling the feasibility of the utilisation of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in particular contexts, there remains a significant gap in knowledge in relation to detailed empirical assessments of performance. Domestic systems have been investigated to a limited degree in the literature, including in the UK, but there are few recent longitudinal studies of larger non-domestic systems. Additionally, there are few studies comparing estimated and actual performance. This paper presents the results of a longitudinal empirical performance assessment of a non-domestic RWH system located in an office building in the UK. Furthermore, it compares actual performance with the estimated performance based on two methods recommended by the British Standards Institute - the Intermediate (simple calculations) and Detailed (simulation-based) Approaches. Results highlight that the average measured water saving efficiency (amount of mains water saved) of the office-based RWH system was 87% across an 8-month period, due to the system being over-sized for the actual occupancy level. Consequently, a similar level of performance could have been achieved using a smaller-sized tank. Estimated cost savings resulted in capital payback periods of 11 and 6 years for the actual over-sized tank and the smaller optimised tank, respectively. However, more detailed cost data on maintenance and operation is required to perform whole life cost analyses. These findings indicate that office-scale RWH systems potentially offer significant water and cost savings. They also emphasise the importance of monitoring data and that a transition to the use of Detailed Approaches (particularly in the UK) is required to (a) minimise over-sizing of storage tanks and (b) build confidence in RWH system performance. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Jun 28, 2012 |
Online Publication Date | Jul 9, 2012 |
Publication Date | Oct 15, 2012 |
Journal | Water Research |
Print ISSN | 0043-1354 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 46 |
Issue | 16 |
Pages | 5127-5134 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.06.043 |
Keywords | demand management, payback period, performance, rainwater harvesting, stormwater management, water saving efficiency |
Public URL | https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/942925 |
Publisher URL | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.06.043 |
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