Assessment of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Poor Rural Communities: A Case Study from Yatta Area, Palestine

The town has a population of over 100,000 people, with 49% being female, and a population growth rate of 15 years. Yatta has been connected to a water network since 1974, but the network is old and unable to meet the needs of the population. As a result, residents rely on water vendors who supply water that is 400% more expensive and of lower quality than municipal water. Rainwater harvesting is a vital component in areas where water sources are scarce and/or polluted. In Yatta, the majority of households have at least one cistern, and rainwater harvesting is a common practice. The quality of harvested rainwater used for drinking and domestic purposes was assessed through a study that collected 100 samples from cisterns with an average capacity of 69 m3 and an average catchment area of 145 m2. The samples were analyzed for various parameters, including temperature, pH, alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, total dissolved solids, NO3, NH4, chloride, and salinity. The results showed that most of the rainwater samples were within the World Health Organization (WHO) and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for chemical parameters. Microbiological contents such as total Coliforms and faecal Coliforms bacteria were also tested. The study also assessed the impact of rainwater harvesting systems on different socio-economic attributes of the local community through a questionnaire that was filled out by 600 households. The questionnaire was used to analyze the data and obtain the results of the study. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis, chi-square, and bivariate tests to investigate the influence of independent variables. The results showed that the socio-economic impact of rainwater harvesting was significant, with households that used rainwater for drinking and domestic purposes having better socio-economic characteristics than those that did not. The study also examined the physico-physical pollution of existing cisterns and the quality of water stored in cisterns in the Yatta area. The results showed that the quality of water stored in cisterns was affected by the presence of pollutants, and that the rainwater harvesting system had a significant impact on the water quality. The study also suggested measures to limit the spread of pollution for rainwater harvesting systems, including the use of treatment systems and the implementation of proper maintenance practices. The study also conducted a quantitative assessment of rainwater harvesting, which showed that the potential rainwater harvesting (PRWH) of a roof can be estimated based on local precipitation, catchment area, and runoff coefficient. The main objectives of the study were to address the impact of rainwater harvesting on different socio-economic attributes of the local community and to assess the quality of harvested rainwater used for drinking and domestic purposes in the Yatta area throughout one year. The study was conducted in six localities in the Yatta area, including Al-Hadidia, Al-Hila, Khallet Saleh, Um Saqhan, Wadi Alma, and Yatta town. The study collected 100 water samples from cisterns in the study area, including 50 harvested rainwater samples and 50 mixed water samples. The samples were analyzed for various parameters, including temperature, pH, alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, total dissolved solids, NO3, NH4, chloride, and salinity. The study also conducted structured interviews with members of the Municipal Council in the local community, the official governmental line ministry, and the Palestinian Water Authority. The study also conducted field visits to assess the overall status of the source and land use and to take real photos. The study selected specific cases for several reasons, including the economic and water situations of local families. The study concluded that rainwater harvesting is a vital component in areas where water sources are scarce and/or polluted. The quality of harvested rainwater used for drinking and domestic purposes was assessed through a study that collected 100 samples from cisterns in the Yatta area. The results showed that most of the rainwater samples were within the WHO and EPA guidelines for chemical parameters. The study also assessed the impact of rainwater harvesting systems on different socio-economic attributes of the local community through a questionnaire that was filled out by 600 households. The study suggested measures to limit the spread of pollution for rainwater harvesting systems, including the use of treatment systems and the implementation of proper maintenance practices. The study also conducted a quantitative assessment of rainwater harvesting, which showed that the potential rainwater harvesting (PRWH) of a roof can be estimated based on local precipitation, catchment area, and runoff coefficient.