Conventional water infrastructure in urban environments is based on the centralized approach. This approach consists of building pipe network that provides potable water to consumers and drainage network that transport wastewater and stormwater runoff away from population centers. However, as illustrated in this article, centralized water infrastructures are not sustainable over a long period of time for a variety of reasons. This article presents the concept of a holistic approach for sustainable water management that incorporates decentralized water infrastructures into water management system design in urban environments. Decentralized water infrastructures are small to medium-scale systems that use and/or reuse local sources of water such as captured rainwater, stormwater runoff and wastewater. The holistic approach considers these waters as a valuable resource not to be wasted but utilized. This article briefly introduces various types of decentralized water infrastructures appropriate for urban settings. This article focuses on the effectiveness of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems as a decentralized water infrastructure and as a critical component of developing a holistic and sustainable water infrastructure in urban environments. Despite widespread use of rainwater harvesting systems, limited information has been published on its effectiveness for sustainable management of water resources and urban water infrastructures. This article, discusses multi-dimensional benefits of rainwater harvesting systems for sustainable management of water resources and its role as a critical component of decentralized water infrastructures in urban environments.
. Paradigm shift: Holistic approach for water management in urban environments[J]. Frontiers of Earth Science, 0, (): 421-427.
Tamim Younos. Paradigm shift: Holistic approach for water management in urban environments. Front Earth Sci, 0, (): 421-427.
Projected rainwater use & use purpose/(m3·a-1)
Balance to stormwater drainage/(m3·a-1)
Blacksburg Municipal Building (BMB)b) (205)
Blacksburg, VA (108.28)
753
856 Indoor use (toilets for 80 users); Outdoor use (landscape irrigation)
0
Blacksburg Motor Company Building (BMC)b) (930)
Blacksburg, VA (108.28)
795
193 Indoor use (toilets for 25 users); Outdoor use (landscape irrigation)
602
Manassas Park Elementary Schoolc) (5713)
Manassas Park, VA (91.95)
4991
4922 Indoor use (toilets and urinals for 1067 users); Outdoor use (landscape irrigation)
69
Charlottesville Area Transit Facilityc) (2443)
Charlottesville, VA (108.10)
18671
16057c) Indoor use (toilets and urinals and bus wash facility)
2614
Tab.1
Building & locationa)
Type of water use
Harvested rainwatera)(potable water saving)/(m3·a-1)
Estimated energy savings/(kWh)b)
Estimated CO2 reduction/( kg·a-1)
Oscar Smith Middle School, Chesapeake City, Virginia, US
Landscape irrigation & toilet flushing
14118
5409
5194
Western Virginia Regional Correction Facility, Roanoke County, Virginia, US
Laundry facilities
17411
6670
6387
Tab.2
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