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Case Study: Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Single-Family Homes
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Engineering
Abstract
Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable practice that presents itself as an effective solution for water management, especially in regions facing water scarcity. The potential for human water consumption has significantly decreased in recent years, due not only to the degradation of direct and surface water sources but also to the reduced availability of potable water, which faces a scarcity both in Brazil and worldwide. In this context, acting locally by promoting alternative methods is crucial to meet the demand for this vital resource. Rainwater harvesting for use in buildings emerges as a viable alternative. The economic and cultural impact of this strategy is extremely relevant, as demonstrated in this work through a case study in the city of Itabirito, in the state of Minas Gerais. Utilizing dimensioning methods regulated by Brazilian standards, the use of rainwater harvesting systems in single-family homes proved effective. It was found that the necessary investment ranges from very low to low, leveraging the existing characteristics and structures in the residence to implement the system. Thus, it is concluded that a techno-economic analysis is indispensable to certify the viability of the investment, highlighting the importance of rainwater harvesting as a crucial measure for sustainable water management.
Keywords
Rainwater harvesting; Water scarcity; Reservoir.
References
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How to cite this paper
@article{1707551,
author = {Patr?cia Cec?lia Rodrigues Mapa da Fonseca},
title = {Case Study: Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Single-Family Homes},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {8},
number = {9},
pages = {1141-1145},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1707551.pdf},
abstract = {Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable practice that presents itself as an effective solution for water management, especially in regions facing water scarcity. The potential for human water consumption has significantly decreased in recent years, due not only to the degradation of direct and surface water sources but also to the reduced availability of potable water, which faces a scarcity both in Brazil and worldwide. In this context, acting locally by promoting alternative methods is crucial to meet the demand for this vital resource. Rainwater harvesting for use in buildings emerges as a viable alternative. The economic and cultural impact of this strategy is extremely relevant, as demonstrated in this work through a case study in the city of Itabirito, in the state of Minas Gerais. Utilizing dimensioning methods regulated by Brazilian standards, the use of rainwater harvesting systems in single-family homes proved effective. It was found that the necessary investment ranges from very low to low, leveraging the existing characteristics and structures in the residence to implement the system. Thus, it is concluded that a techno-economic analysis is indispensable to certify the viability of the investment, highlighting the importance of rainwater harvesting as a crucial measure for sustainable water management.},
keywords = {Rainwater harvesting; Water scarcity; Reservoir.},
month = {March},
}