Rainfall harvesting, or RWH, is the practice of gathering and holding onto rainfall rather than allowing it to run off. This water is typically gathered from surfaces like rooftops and redirected into tanks, cisterns, wells, aquifers, or reservoirs that allow it to percolate and replenish groundwater. Additionally, dew and fog can be captured using nets or similar devices. Unlike stormwater harvesting, which collects runoff from various surfaces, RWH focuses on gathering water from roofs and other specific areas for later use. Rainwater collected can be used for heating, irrigation, home use, gardening, and livestock. Additionally, it can be preserved for later use or to replenish groundwater reserves. RWH is one of the oldest and simplest methods for households to obtain their own water supply, having been practiced in South Asia and other regions for thousands of years. Systems can be scaled to accommodate individual homes, neighborhoods, communities, and institution such as schools, hospitals and other public facilities. This chapter will focus on importance of rainwater harvesting, benefits of rainwater harvesting, methods of rainwater harvesting, challenges and solution, lastly summing up with a conclusion.

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Rainfall harvesting, or RWH, is the practice of gathering and holding onto rainfall rather than allowing it to run off. This water is typically gathered from surfaces like rooftops and redirected into tanks, cisterns, wells, aquifers, or reservoirs that allow it to percolate and replenish groundwater. Additionally, dew and fog can be captured using nets or similar devices. Unlike stormwater harvesting, which collects runoff from various surfaces, RWH focuses on gathering water from roofs and other specific areas for later use. Rainwater collected can be used for heating, irrigation, home use, gardening, and livestock. Additionally, it can be preserved for later use or to replenish groundwater reserves. RWH is one of the oldest and simplest methods for households to obtain their own water supply, having been practiced in South Asia and other regions for thousands of years. Systems can be scaled to accommodate individual homes, neighborhoods, communities, and institution such as schools, hospitals and other public facilities. This chapter will focus on importance of rainwater harvesting, benefits of rainwater harvesting, methods of rainwater harvesting, challenges and solution, lastly summing up with a conclusion.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.