Scientific Prospecting on Rainwater Harvesting for Human Consumption: An Analysis of Academic Study Trends.

Authors

Keywords:

drinking water, water resources, systematic review

Abstract

In this study, we conduct a systematic review of rainwater harvesting for human consumption, aiming to identify key trends, challenges, and research gaps in the field. A total of 260 articles from the Web of Science database, published between 2014 and 2024, were analyzed and categorized into themes including water quality, collection systems, storage, treatment, purification, first-flush diverters, and social technology. The findings indicate that most studies focus on water quality assessment and the efficiency of collection and treatment systems, underscoring concerns regarding water security and the feasibility of rainwater utilization. In contrast, aspects related to storage and first-flush diversion devices remain relatively underexplored. This synthesis highlights the need for standardized analytical methods and technological innovations that integrate cost-effective, low-maintenance solutions. By advancing knowledge in sustainable rainwater management, this study supports future research and informs public policies aimed at enhancing water security in diverse climatic contexts.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Viviane Sabino Teles, .

Discente do curso de Engenharia Civil, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, campus Juazeiro, Bahia, Brasil

jucyara, .

Discente do curso de Engenharia Civil, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, campus Juazeiro, Bahia, Brasil

Miriam Cleide Cavalcante de Amorim, .

Química Industrial (1990), e Engenheira Química (1992) pela Universidade Católica de Pernambuco. Mestre em Engenharia Química (UFPB , 1995), Doutora em Engenharia Química (UFPE, 2015), Gestor Público em Arranjos Produtivos Locais, e Especialista em Gestão Ambiental. Atuou entre os anos de 1997 e 2009 como Engenheiro efetivo da Companhia Pernambucana de Saneamento e como Pesquisador conveniado da Embrapa Semiárido. Atualmente é professor efetivo da Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, atuando no colegiado de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, nas áreas de Saneamento Básico e Tratamento de Resíduos. Coordena o Núcleo Temático Recuperação de Áreas Degradadas e o Laboratório de Engenharia Ambiental, sendo Tutora do Programa de Educação Tutorial Saneamento Ambiental. Linhas de pesquisa atuais são a biodigestão anaeróbia de resíduos sólidos e líquidos de origem agrícolas e agroindustriais, reuso de biossólidos e tratamento de águas em comunidades rurais.

References

ALIM, M. A. et al. Feasibility analysis of a small-scale rainwater harvesting system for drinking water production at Werrington, New South Wales, Australia. Journal of cleaner production, v. 270, n. 122437, p. 122437, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122437.

BRASIL, ASA. Semiárido celebra a marca de mais de 47 mil cisternas construídas em 2024. Disponível em: <https://asabrasil.org.br/noticias?artigo_id=11685&start=0>. Acesso em: 17 fev. 2025.

BATISTA, L. M.; NEU, V.; MEYER, L. F. F. Água de chuva: uma alternativa para comunidades rurais no estado do Pará. Revista Tecnologia e Sociedade, v. 18, n. 54, p. 21, 2022. Disponível em: https://periodicos.utfpr.edu.br/rts/article/view/14779. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3895/rts.v18n54.14779.

BOCANEGRA-MARTÍNEZ, A. et al. Optimal design of rainwater collecting systems for domestic use into a residential development. Resources, conservation, and recycling, v. 84, p. 44–56, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.01.001.

BRITO, L. T. de L. et al. Tecnologias de captação, manejo e uso da água de chuva no setor rural. In: SANTOS, D. B. dos; MEDEIROS, S. de S.; BRITO, L. T. de L.; GNADLINGER, J.; COHIM, E.; PAZ, V. P. da S.; GHEYI, H. R. (Org.). Captação, manejo e uso de água de chuva. Campina Grande: INSA: ABCMAC, 2015. p. 241-272.

CHARLEBOIS, B. et al. Effective first flush volumes in experimental household-scale rainwater catchment systems. Aqua (London, England), v. 72, n. 5, p. 814–826, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2023.049.

CHUBAKA, C. E. et al. Lead, zinc, copper, and cadmium content of water from south Australian rainwater tanks. International journal of environmental research and public health, v. 15, n. 7, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15071551.

COSTA, A. B. Tecnologia Social e Políticas Públicas. São Paulo: Instituto Pólis; Brasília: Fundação Banco do Brasil, 2013. Disponível em: https://polis.org.br/wp content/uploads/2014/08/2061.pdf. Acesso em: 16 de set. 2024.

DA SILVA LOPES, W. et al. Qualidade das águas de fontes alternativas para usos múltiplos no semiárido paraibano. Revista GEAMA –Ciências Ambientais e Biotecnologia, p. 11, 2021. Disponível em: https://www.journals.ufrpe.br/index.php/geama/article/view/4236/482484281.

DE AMORIM, M. C. C. et al. CAPTAÇÃO E ARMAZENAMENTO DE ÁGUA DE CHUVA, PETROLINA, PE: AVALIAÇÃO DE ASPECTOS ESTRUTURAIS E DE QUALIDADE DA ÁGUA. Revista AIDIS de ingeniería y ciencias ambientales: Investigación, desarrollo y práctica., p. 18–30, 2017. Disponível em: https://www.revistas.unam.mx/index.php/aidis/article/view/54631.

DE CARVALHO, J. R. S. et al. A PVC-pipe device as a sanitary barrier for improving rainwater quality for drinking purposes in the Brazilian semiarid region. Journal of water and health, v. 16, n. 3, p. 391–402, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2018.208.

DOBROWSKY, P. H. et al. Efficiency of a closed-coupled solar pasteurization system in treating roof harvested rainwater. The Science of the total environment, v. 536, p. 206–214, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.126.

FRANCISCO, P. R. M. et al. Potencial de captação e armazenamento de água de chuva para segurança hídrica de parte da região continental brasileira utilizando modelagem B-Spline. Revista GEAMA –Ciências Ambientais e Biotecnologia, p. 11, 2024. Disponível em: Vista do Potencial de captação e armazenamento de água de chuva para segurança hídrica de parte da região continental brasileira utilizando modelagem B-Spline.

GIL, Antonio Carlos. Como elaborar projetos de pesquisa. 6. ed. São Paulo: Atlas, 2019. 173p.

GISPERT, M. Í. et al. Rainwater harvesting as a drinking water option for Mexico City. Sustainability, v. 10, n. 11, p. 3890, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113890.

HE, J. et al. Removal of CX3R-type disinfection by-product precursors from rainwater with conventional drinking water treatment processes. Water research, v. 185, n. 116099, p. 116099, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116099.

HOFMAN-CARIS, R. et al. Rainwater harvesting for drinking water production: A sustainable and cost-effective solution in the Netherlands? Water, v. 11, n. 3, p. 511, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w11030511.

JAMAL, A. H. M. S. I. M. et al. Development of a fabricated first-flush rainwater harvested technology to meet up the freshwater scarcity in a South Asian megacity, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Heliyon, v. 9, n. 1, p. e13027, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13027.

KHALID, B.; ALODAH, A. Multivariate analysis of harvested rainwater quality utilizing sustainable solar-energy-driven water treatment. Sustainability, v. 15, n. 19, p. 14568, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914568.

LASAGE, R. et al. The role of small scale sand dams in securing water supply under climate change in Ethiopia. Mitigation and adaptation strategies for global change, v. 20, n. 2, p. 317–339, 2015. DOI: 10.1007/s11027-013-9493-8.

LORDELO, L. M. K. SISTEMA DE CAPTAÇÃO E ARMAZENAMENTO DE ÁGUA DE CHUVA PARA ABASTECIMENTO HUMANO DO P1MC: DISCUTINDO A EFETIVIDADE ENQUANTO TECNOLOGIA SOCIAL NO SEMIÁRIDO BAIANO. [s.l.] UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DA BAHIA, 2 Primavera, 2018.

OKOYE, C. O.; SOLYALI, O.; AKINTU?, B. Optimal sizing of storage tanks in domestic rainwater harvesting systems: A linear programming approach. Resources, conservation, and recycling, v. 104, p. 131–140, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.08.015.

OLIVEIRA, S. E. D. DE et al. Aplicação do DesviUFPE para descarte das primeiras águas de chuva viabilizando o uso para fins potáveis em residências populares no semiárido pernambucano. Paranoá cadernos de arquitetura e urbanismo, n. 34, p. 1–17, 2023. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18830/issn.1679-0944.n34.2023.28

ONU – Organização das Nações Unidas. Maioria dos desastres tem relação com a água, alerta ONU. Disponível em: https://news.un.org/pt/story/2023/10/1821747. Acesso em: 28 ago. 2024.

OWUSU, S.; ASANTE, R. Rainwater harvesting and primary uses among rural communities in Ghana. Journal of water, sanitation, and hygiene for development: a journal of the International Water Association, v. 10, n. 3, p. 502–511, 2020. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2020.059.

PATANGE, S. D.; NIMBKAR, N.; RAJVANSHI, A. K. Low cost drinking water technology – rainwater harvesting with solar purification. Current science, v. 118, n. 6, p. 872, 2020. Disponível em: https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/118/06/0872.pdf.

PELAK, N.; PORPORATO, A. Sizing a rainwater harvesting cistern by minimizing costs. Journal of hydrology, v. 541, p. 1340–1347, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2016.08.036.

QUEIROZ DE PAIVA, L. V.; DE SOUZA, B. I. Potencial de captação de água da chuva em áreas urbanas do semiárido.?Revista de Geografia, v. 38, n. 3, p. 440, 2021. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/index.php/revistageografia/article/view/250575. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51359/2238-6211.2021.250575.

QUINTELLA, C. M.; MATA, A. M. T.; GHESTI, G. F. Vacinas para Coronavírus (COVID-19; SARS- COV-2): mapeamento preliminar de artigos, patentes, testes clínicos e mercado. Cadernos de Prospecção, Salvador, v. 13, n. 1, p. 3-12, março, 2020. DOI: 10.9771/cp.v13i1.35871.

RAWAN, B. et al. Assessments of roof-harvested rainwater in disctrict Dir lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Water, v. 14, n. 20, p. 3270, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w14203270.

SILVA, S. T. B. DA et al. Comportamento de dispositivos de desvio das primeiras águas de chuva como barreiras sanitárias para proteção de cisternas. Águas Subterrâneas, v. 31, n. 2, p. 1, 2017. DOI: 10.14295/ras.v31i2.28658.

SENEVIRATHNA, S. T. M. L. D., RAMZAN, S., & MORGAN, J. (2019). A sustainable and fully automated process to treat stored rainwater to meet drinking water quality guidelines. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2019.08.005.

SHAHEED, A. et al. Water quality risks of “improved” water sources: evidence from Cambodia. Tropical medicine & international health: TM & IH, v. 19, n. 2, p. 186–194, 2014. DOI: https://doi-org.ez21.periodicos.capes.gov.br/10.1111/tmi.12229.

SOUZA, A. M. P. DE et al. Estudo da viabilidade técnica e econômica do uso da água da chuva em edifício público na zona urbana de Recife – PE. Paranoá cadernos de arquitetura e urbanismo, n. 34, p. 1–19, 2023. DOI: : http://doi.org/10.18830/issn.1679-0944.n34.2023.27.

SUNDAR, K. P.; KANMANI, S. Design and evaluation of zero-energy UVC-LED reactor fitted with hand pump system for disinfection. Journal of Water Supply Research and Technology—AQUA, v. 70, n. 1, p. 77–88, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2020.059.

THOMAS, R. B. et al. Rainwater harvesting in the United States: a survey of common system practices. Journal of cleaner production, v. 75, p. 166–173, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.03.073.

WASEEM, M. et al. Rainwater harvesting as sustainable solution to cope with drinking water scarcity and urban flooding: A case study of public institutions in Lahore, Pakistan. CivilEng, v. 4, n. 2, p. 638–656, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng4020037.

WRIGHT, I. A.; CHRISTIE, A.; GILPIN, A.-M. Water quality of roof-harvested drinking water tanks in a rural area near a gold and Copper Mine: Potential health risk from a layer of metal-enriched water and sediment. Water, v. 16, n. 5, p. 773, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050773.

YAN, X. et al. Performance assessment and life cycle analysis of potable water production from harvested rainwater by a decentralized system. Journal of cleaner production, v. 172, p. 2167–2173, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.198.

ZHAO, Y. et al. Purification of harvested rainwater using slow sand filters with low-cost materials: Bacterial community structure and purifying effect. The Science of the total environment, v. 674, p. 344–354, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.474.

ZHANG, Q. et al. Quality and seasonal variation of rainwater harvested from concrete, asphalt, ceramic tile and green roofs in Chongqing, China. Journal of environmental management, v. 132, p. 178–187, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.11.009.

Downloads

Published

2025-08-23

How to Cite

Sabino Teles, V., jucyara, & Cleide Cavalcante de Amorim, M. (2025). Scientific Prospecting on Rainwater Harvesting for Human Consumption: An Analysis of Academic Study Trends . Geama Journal - Environmental Sciences, 11(2), 34–45. Retrieved from https://www.journals.ufrpe.br/index.php/geama/article/view/7685

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2025): .

Section

ARTIGOS

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Geama Journal - Environmental Sciences

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The Cultural Policies in Review applies the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License for the works it publishes. This license was developed to facilitate open access - that is, free, immediate access, and unrestricted reuse of original works of all kinds. Our authors retain the copyright but, under that license, agree to leave the items legally available for re-use, without permission or fees, for almost any purpose. Any person may copy, distribute or reuse such articles, provided that the author and the original source (Cultural Policies in Review) are duly cited.