Assessment of rainwater quality from rainwater harvesting systems in Ontario, Canada

Research Article| March 01 2009 Assessment of rainwater quality from rainwater harvesting systems in Ontario, Canada Christopher Despins; Christopher Despins 1School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada Tel.: +1-519-824-4120 x.53832 Fax: +1-519-836-0227; E-mail: cdespins@gmail.com Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Khosrow Farahbakhsh; Khosrow Farahbakhsh 1School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Chantelle Leidl Chantelle Leidl 1School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2009) 58 (2): 117–134. https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2009.013 Article history Received: February 05 2008 Accepted: June 20 2008 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures Assessment of rainwater quality from rainwater harvesting systems in Ontario, Canada. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 March 2009; 58 (2): 117–134. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2009.013 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Rainwater samples were collected from rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems at seven sites located in a 30 km radius around the City of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. From October 2006 to October 2007, a total of 360 samples were collected from two sampling locations—the rainwater cistern and at the point of use—and analysed for pH, turbidity, colour, total and fecal coliforms, total organic carbon, total nitrogen and UV absorbance (254 nm). Additional parameters, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, total metals, Campylobacter and Legionella were examined in selected samples. Following data collection, statistical analysis was performed to investigate the factors that influenced rainwater quality. The results of the quality assessment programme were largely consistent with those reported by several other researchers, with the exception of improved microbiological quality during periods of cold weather. Total and fecal coliforms were detected in 31% and 13% of the rainwater samples, respectively, while neither Campylobacter nor Legionella were detected above 1 CFU/100 ml detection limits. The results indicate that, while quality can be expected to vary with environmental conditions, the rainwater from a RWH system can be of consistently high quality through the selection of appropriate catchment and storage materials and the application of post-cistern treatment. cistern, point-of-use, rainwater harvesting, water quality This content is only available as a PDF. © IWA Publishing 2009 You do not currently have access to this content.