Journal Article10.2166/AQUA.2000.0024
Rainwater quality from different roof catchments in the Port Harcourt district, Rivers State, Nigeria
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TL;DR: In this article, rainwater samples collected directly from the atmosphere and through various roof catchments (aluminium, zinc, asbestos and thatch) were analysed for their physico-chemical and microbiological qualities.
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Abstract: Rainwater samples collected directly from the atmosphere and through various roof catchments (aluminium, zinc, asbestos and thatch) were analysed for their physico-chemical and microbiological qualities. Results showed that the physico-chemical qualities of the rainwater, except for colour, were within the limits approved by the World Health Organization. Asbestos and thatch materials caused an increase in colour of the rainwater. A near neutral pH (7.02–7.45) was obtained in all the samples. Higher levels of aluminium were obtained in the samples collected from the aluminium roof catchment while zinc was only detected in the rainwater collected from the zinc roof catchment. Manganese and iron were present in all the samples. Microbiological analysis showed varying degrees of contamination in the different samples. All the samples contained a high number (5.8×102–7.6×103 cfu/ml) of heterotrophic bacteria. The filamentous fungi population was in the range of 1.0×10–4.0×102 cfu/ml. Pseudomonas spp. were found in the samples in the range of 1.0×10–8.8×102 cfu/ml, except for the samples from the zinc roof where none (0 cfu/ml) were recorded. Rainwater samples from the roof catchments also contained high numbers of pathogenic bacteria, Salmonella spp. Shigella spp and Vibrio spp. This result therefore suggests that the purity of the rainwater should not be taken for granted. Microbiological analysis of all rainwater should be undertaken and appropriate treatment measures adopted before rainwater can be declared potable. Zinc appears to be a better material for rainwater collection than aluminium, asbestos and thatch. Direct collection, however, is the best option when low volumes of water are required.
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Citations
Roof selection for rainwater harvesting: quantity and quality assessments in Spain.
Ramon Farreny,Tito Morales-Pinzón,Tito Morales-Pinzón,Albert Guisasola,Carlota Tayà,Joan Rieradevall,Xavier Gabarrell +6 more
TL;DR: The inclusion of criteria related to the roof's slope and roughness in city planning may be useful to promote rainwater as an alternative water supply while preventing flooding and water scarcity.
331
Water quality of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems: a review
V. Meera,M. Mansoor Ahammed +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the available information on the water quality of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems is presented, showing that harvested water is heavily contaminated by a variety of indicator and pathogenic organisms unless special care is taken during collection and storage of rainwater.
217
Microbiological quality of roof-harvested rainwater and health risks: a review.
TL;DR: The published data suggest that the microbial quality of R HRW should be considered less than that expected for potable water and that the commonly used indicators may not be suitable to indicate the presence of pathogens in RHRW.
199
Rooftop runoff as a source of contamination: A review
TL;DR: Research suggests that rainwater collection systems which are properly designed, maintained, and treated may provide a valuable supplement to existing water supplies by reducing demand on community water supplies/infrastructure costs, enhancing effective management of storm water runoff, and increasing restoration of underground reservoirs through controlled infiltration.
194
Thermal inactivation of water-borne pathogenic and indicator bacteria at sub-boiling temperatures
TL;DR: The results of this study suggested that the temperature range from 55 to 65 degrees C was critical for effective elimination of enteric/pathogenic bacterial components and supported the thesis that hot water systems should operate at a minimum of 60 degrees C.
188
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