Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/215853

Title

Rainwater harvesting in greater Sydney: water savings, reliability and economic benefits

Author(s)

Rahman, Ataur;  Keane, Joseph;  Imteaz, Monzur Alam

Abstract

Due to greater environmental awareness and mandatory water restrictions in many Australian cities, rainwater tanks have become popular in recent years. This paper investigates the water savings potential of rainwater tanks fitted in detached houses at 10 different locations in Greater Sydney, Australia. A water balance simulation model on daily time scale is developed and water savings, reliability and financial viability are examined for three different tank sizes, 2 kL, 3 kL and 5 kL. It is found that the average annual water savings from rainwater tanks are strongly correlated with average annual rainfall. It is also found that the benefit cost ratios for the rainwater tanks are smaller than 1.00 without government rebate. It is noted that a 5 kL tank is preferable to 2 kL and 3 kL tanks and rainwater tanks should be connected to toilet, laundry and outdoor irrigation to achieve the best financial outcome for the home owners. The results from this study suggest that government authorities in Sydney should maintain or possibly increase the rebate for rainwater tanks to enhance its acceptance.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology

Source

Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 61 (Apr 2012), pp. 16-21

Publication year

2012

FOR Code(s)

05 Environmental Sciences;  09 Engineering;  12 Built Environment and Design

Keyword(s)

Life cycle cost analysis;  Rainwater tanks;  Sustainable water use;  Tank rebate

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0921-3449

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2011.12.002

Copyright

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed