Low Cost Rainwater Harvesting: An Alternate Solution to Salinity Affected Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Kamal Ziaul Islam^1, , Md Sirajul Islam², Jean O. Lacoursière³ and Lisa Dessborn⁴

¹Assistant General Manager, Jessore Palli Bidyut Samity-2, Jessore, Bangladesh

²Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEED) North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

³Professor, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden

⁴Senior Lecturer, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden

Cite this paper

Kamal Ziaul Islam, Md Sirajul Islam, Jean O. Lacoursière and Lisa Dessborn. Low Cost Rainwater Harvesting: An Alternate Solution to Salinity Affected Coastal Region of Bangladesh. American Journal of Water Resources. 2014; 2(6):141-148. doi: 10.12691/AJWR-2-6-2

Abstract

This study investigated the prospect of rainwater harvesting as a low cost alternative potable water supply option along the coastal region of Bangladesh, which is considered as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world due to climate change and resulting sea level rise. Because of increasing salinity intrusion, potable water scarcity become severe at the south-western coastal region of the country. The study area for this investigation was Patkelghata in Satkhira district of Bangladesh located in the same zone. The Satkhira district averages nearly 1,710 mm rainfall per year. Based on rural housing pattern of the region, a rainwater harvesting system is proposed, which consists of roof catchment, gutters, down pipes, first flush devices, filter chamber and storage tank. The minimum catchment area was assumed to be 6 m² and storage tank of 2000 liter capacity. Data was collected on the present state of freshwater supply, sources and quality, average rainfall in the region, dry spell period, family size, water use nature, rain water quality and material to be used for storage, etc. Rainwater quality was also tested and the parameters were found to be within Bangladesh’s standard limit. After a detail calculation, an approximate cost was assumed to be $171 for building and operation of the whole system. A questionnaire survey was also conducted on views and opinion of local people to understand the problems, prospects and the popularity of rainwater harvesting in Bangladesh.

Keywords

climate change impact, salinity intrusion, fresh water crisis, rainwater harvesting, design of storage tank, cost analysis, management options

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

[1]	Banglapedia, 2014. National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Available through: http://bpedia.org/S_0134.php [Accessed 24 December 2013].
[2]	Sumon F. R., Abul Kalam A K M, 2014. Rainwater Harvesting and the Scope of Enhancing Ground Water Table in Dhaka City. Dhaka Metropolitan Development Area and Its Planning Problems, Issues and Policies. Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP) Available through: <http://www.bip.org.bd/journalBook/44>. [Accessed 29 April 2014]
[3]	Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 2012. Statistical year book of Bangladesh. Ministry of Planning, Govt. of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. http://www.bbs.gov.bd/PageWebMenuContent.aspx?MenuKey=44
[4]	Asian Development Bank, 2011. Adapting to Climate Change Strengthening the Climate Resilience Of The Water Sector Infrastructure In Khulna, Bangladesh. Asian Development Bank, 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City, 1550 Metro Manila, Philippinnes, Available through: <www.adb.org> [Accessed 4 April 2013].
[5]	Islam M M., 2010. Feasibility and acceptability study of rainwater use to the acute water shortage areas in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, Nat Hazards (2011) 56: 93-111.
[6]	Worldatlas.com, Available through: <http://www.un.org/depts/Cartographic/map/profile/banglade.pdf, http://maps-of-bangladesh.blogspot.com/2010/10/political-map-of-satkhira-district.html>, [Accessed 12 March 2014]
[7]	Ahmed, M. F., & Rahman, M. M., 2000. Water supply & sanitation: Rural and low income urban communities. ITN-Bangladesh, Centre for Water Supply and Waste Management, BUET.
[8]	Zhu K, Zhang L, Hart W, Liu M, Chen H (2004) Quality issues in harvested rainwater in arid and semi-arid Loess Plateau of Northern China. J Arid Environ 57: 487-505.
[9]	The New Nation, 2009 solar energy to be used in public buildings. Available through: <http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/10/23/news0487.htm,> [Accessed 10 July 2012]
[10]	Dakua, M., 2012. Discussion on costing of a rainwater harvesting. [Letter] (Personal communication, 10 September 2013).
[11]	World Health Organization, 2008. Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 3nd ed. World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (incorporating 1st and 2nd agenda)
[12]	Khemani LT, Momin GA, Rao PSP, Safai PD, Singh G, Chatterjee RN, Prakash P., 1989 Long-term effects of pollutants on pH of rain water in North India. Atmos Environ (1967) 23 (4): 753-756.
[13]	Ariyabandu, R. De S., 2003. Very-low-cost domestic roof water harvesting in the humid tropics: its role in water policy. DFIDKar Contract R783, Report R4, Prepared By, Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum.
[14]	Mantovan P, Pastore A, Szpyrkowicz L, Zilio-Grandi F (1995) Characterization of rainwater quality from the Venice region network using multiway data analysis. Sci Total Environ 164: 27-43
[15]	Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 2013. Available through :<http://www.bmd.gov.bd/> [Accessed 24 December 2013].
[16]	Institute of Water Modeling (IWM), 2013, Available through http://www.iwmbd.org/