Roofwater Harvesting : A Handbook for Practitioners

The growing role of roof water harvesting

Water professionals are becoming increasingly worried about water scarcity. The UN World Water Development Report of 2003 suggests that population growth, pollution and climate change are likely to produce a drastic decline in the amount of water available per person in many parts of the developing world. Domestic Roofwater Harvesting (DRWH) provides an additional source from which to meet local water needs. In recent years, DRWH systems have become cheaper and more predictable
in performance. There is a better understanding of the way to mix DRWH with other water supply options, in which DRWH is usually used to provide full coverage in the wet season and partial coverage during the dry season as well as providing short-term security against the failure of other sources. Interest in DRWH technology is reflected in the water policies of many developing countries, where it is now cited as a possible source of household water....