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Assessment of rainwater quality and potential for rainwater harvesting in Dallu Awas area, Kathmandu, Nepal

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Environmental Science, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • 2Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • 3Nepal Naya Aayam Multidisciplinary Instititute, University of Northampton, Jorpati, Kathmandu Nepal
  • 4Department of Botany, Bhaktapur Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Bhaktapur, Nepal
  • 5Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • 6Department of Botany, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • 7Department of Chemistry, Padma Kanya Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 10, Issue (1), Pages 62-73, January,22 (2021)

Abstract

Nepal is rich in natural resources and it is among the richest in terms of water resource availability. The average annual rainfall of the country is in between 1500-3000mm. However, water scarcity is a major problem in Kathmandu valley as well as in some major cities of the country. In this context, rainwater harvesting may serve as one of the promising ways of supplementary water supply system to meet water demand in the valley. This study is aimed to analyze the potential for rainwater harvesting, the rainfall pattern and rainwater quality at Dallu Awas area which lies within the central-western part of the Kathmandu valley. Potential rainwater harvesting was determined by the questionnaire survey method and using a mathematical formula. The rainfall pattern was determined by analyzing the rainfall data supplied by the Department of Hydrology and Metrology, Government of Nepal and, the quality of rainwater was determined by analyzing its physico-chemical and microbial parameters in the laboratory. The study showed 90.33m3 of rainwater harvesting capacity per household. Between 2006-2015 AD, the highest amount of rainfall (1829.4mm) was recorded in 2011 and the lowest (98.25mm) in 2009. For rainwater quality, a total of 81 rainwater samples were collected directly from atmospheric precipitation during rainy season from three different cluster zones viz., residential, school and hospital of the study area. The assessed physico-chemical, and microbial quality parameters were turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, biogenic compound, heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Pd and Zn) and total coliforms. Results revealed that the values of tested parameters were found within the guideline values set out by the NDWQS and WHO. Hence, the present study suggests that water scarcity in Kathmandu may be solved to some extent if proper rainwater harvesting system is adopted and collected rainwater may be used for multiple purposes following proper disinfection process.

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