Brigit Afshar University of Texas at Austin Statistics in Water Resources May 2009
Conventional Rainwater Harvesting System Roof Catchment Storage Tank Gutter First-Flush Diverter 10 gal./1000 sq. ft. (TWDB) Downspout Overflow Spout Adapted from: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) “Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use.”
Feasibility National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) VS.
Domestic Indoor Water Demand Number of people per household3 Water Consumption of FixtureAssumptions Household Monthly (30-day) Demand Toilets Ultra Low Flow Toilets (post- 1993)1.6gal/flush6flushes/person/day864 Dual Flush1gal/flush liquids flushes/person/day0 1.6gal/flush solids flushes/person/day0 Baths and Showers Showerhead2.2gal/min5minutes/person/day990 Baths50gal/bath baths/day0 Faucets2.2gal/faucet/min5minutes/person/day990 Appliances (per-use, not per- person) Clothes washer (Front-loading, gal)20gal/load2.6loads/week208 Dishwasher8gal/cycle0.7cycles/day168 TOTAL 3220 Source: TWDB; AWWA,1999
Assumptions Monthly Annual Indoor water demand (gallons)3220 Irrigation (gallons, Mar-Oct)150 Collection surface (sq. ft.)2500 Starting volume (gallons)3000 Collection rate (gal/in. rain/sq.ft)0.62 Collection efficiency0.85 Indoor water demand (gallons)38640 Irrigation (gallons, Mar-Oct)1200 Collection surface (sq. ft.)2500 Starting volume (gallons)10000 Collection rate (gal/in. rain/sq.ft)0.62 Collection efficiency0.85
Climate Regions of Texas Source: NADP, 2009Source: Texas Center for Policy Studies, 1995
Upper Rio Grande and Far West Month Irrigation Demand Total Demand (gallons) Average rainfall (inches) Rainfall collected (gallons) End-of-month storage (gal) January February March April May June July August September October November December Total:
Northeast West Central
Annual Analysis
Texas Harvesting Potential RegionNeeds Met Water Saved (gallons/year) Far WestPartial High PlainsPartial Lower GulfYes North TexasYes NortheastYes South CentralYes Upper GulfYes West CentralYes 31381
United States Hydrologic Regions Source: NADP, 2009
United States Harvesting Potential RegionNeeds Met Water Saved (gallons/yr) 13 Rio GrandePartial Upper COPartial Lower COPartial Great BasinPartial15955 AlaskaPartial22725
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