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Frontiers of Earth Science

ISSN 2095-0195

ISSN 2095-0209(Online)

CN 11-5982/P

Postal Subscription Code 80-963

2018 Impact Factor: 1.205

Front Earth Sci    0, Vol. Issue () : 421-427    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-011-0209-7
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Paradigm shift: Holistic approach for water management in urban environments
Tamim Younos()
The Cabell Brand Center for Global Poverty and Resource Sustainability Studies, Salem, VA 24249, USA
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Abstract

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.

Keywords urban stormwater management      decentralized water infrastructure      rainwater harvesting      water and energy conservation     
Corresponding Author(s): Younos Tamim,Email:tyounos@cabellbrandcenter.org   
Issue Date: 05 December 2011
 Cite this article:   
Tamim Younos. Paradigm shift: Holistic approach for water management in urban environments[J]. Front Earth Sci, 0, (): 421-427.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-011-0209-7
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y0/V/I/421
Building type & rooftop area/m2Location & annual rainfall/(cm·a-1)Estimated available rainwatera)/(m3·a-1)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)753856 Indoor use (toilets for 80 users); Outdoor use (landscape irrigation)0
Blacksburg Motor Company Building (BMC)b) (930)Blacksburg, VA (108.28)795193 Indoor use (toilets for 25 users); Outdoor use (landscape irrigation)602
Manassas Park Elementary Schoolc) (5713)Manassas Park, VA (91.95)49914922 Indoor use (toilets and urinals for 1067 users); Outdoor use (landscape irrigation)69
Charlottesville Area Transit Facilityc) (2443)Charlottesville, VA (108.10)1867116057c) Indoor use (toilets and urinals and bus wash facility)2614
Tab.1  Impact of rainwater harvesting and use on stormwater drainage volume
Building & locationa)Type of water useHarvested 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, USLandscape irrigation & toilet flushing1411854095194
Western Virginia Regional Correction Facility, Roanoke County, Virginia, USLaundry facilities1741166706387
Tab.2  Potable water and energy savings attributed to rainwater harvesting in Virginia
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