Harvested Rainwater Quality: Roof Age and types Perspective

Abstract

Abstract

Due to the increasing demand for good and safe drinking water, the use of water harvest to supplement the other sources of quality drinking water is on the rise. The contamination of the harvested roof water from collection to conveyance and storage is a source of concern. This research work evaluates the quality of harvested rainwater from new and aged corrugated zinc, aluminum roof, and open source. The methodology used involves a stratified sampling technique. Ten (10) samples from all categories were collected monthly for three (3) months. The physicochemical and biological properties of the harvested rain waters were analyzed. A simple percentage was used for the analysis. The results revealed that a total coliform count of 15-17 was determined which is above the WHO recommended value of 0 for safe drinking water. The findings further revealed that samples from new corrugated zinc roofs have an alkalinity of  70mg/l which is above the WHO recommended value of 50mg/l. fluoride, zinc, and aluminum concentrations are all below the WHO-recommended values. It was therefore recommended that harvested rainwater should be treated before drinking.