A Laboratory Study into a Novel, Retrofittable Rainwater Harvesting System.

ABSTRACT

Aims: To establish the system characteristics of a novel rainwater harvesting system. Study Design: A laboratory test rig was used to assess the selected technology. Place and Duration of Study University of Exeter, Centre for Water Systems between June 2014 and May 2015. Methodology: Previous research has identified that systems should have 1) reduced capital costs, 2) reduced operational costs and 3) increased ease of retrofitting. To investigate the system’s ability to address these requirements, two full-scale laboratory test rigs have been used to assess flow and power consumption characteristics under a range of installation scenarios. Results: The system was identified to have a mean power consumption of 0.12kWh/m3 during a one hour pump test. Electrical costs were found to increase when the power consumption of the 11W control board was taken into account. Conclusion: Subject to reduction of the standby power consumption of the controller, the novel RWH system assessed in this study has potential to provide non-potable water supplies to households in the UK at a lower power consumption rate than existing water supply systems identified in the literature.