An assessment of the quality and use of rainwater as the basis for sustainable water management in suburban areas

Department of Water Purification and Protection, Faculty of Civil and Environment Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszów University of Technology

^* Corresponding author: mzdeb@prz.edu.pl

Abstract

A common economic use of rainwater is the basis for strategies that will allow the water sector to adapt to progressive climate change. Rainwater is a basic part of water resources that ensures the renewal of the surface and groundwater, therefore they should be protected against pollution and be managed and used in places of rainfall. This is particularly true for heavily urbanized, agricultural and industrial areas. Stormwater collection and storage systems have been introduced in many countries [1]. The water obtained in this way is a valuable source of fresh water, thanks to which it is possible to reduce the demand for tap water by almost 60% or use it during periods of drought [1, 2]. The idea of the sustainable management of water resources and the increasing ecological consciousness of society have allowed installations for the collection and use of rainwater in residential houses and public buildings to become an increasingly popular phenomenon [3, 4]. The research and assessment of rainwater quality is a guarantee of safety for its users. The article presents the results of research on the physical and chemical quality of rainwater collected directly from precipitation. Samples for research were collected in a suburban area during March-November 2015. The pH, turbidity, permanganate index, OWO, nitrogen compounds, phosphates, oxygen content, acidity, basicity, conductivity, hardness, and heavy metals content were determined. The obtained results were the basis for indicating the possibility of using rainwater for various economic purposes.