Effective removal of microbial contamination from harvested rainwater using a simple point of use filtration and UV-disinfection device

There is a growing interest in the utilisation of harvested rainwater as an alternative water source. This study summarises an evaluation of the water quality obtained for privately-owned cisterns sampled in Tucson, AZ and the feasibility to obtain high-quality water from harvested rainwater by fitt...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inUrban water journal Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 209 - 218
Main Authors Jordan, F. L., Seaman, R., Riley, J. J., Yoklic, M. R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Taylor & Francis 01.01.2008
Subjects
activated carbon filter
cistern systems
harvested rainwater
UV disinfection
water quality
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:There is a growing interest in the utilisation of harvested rainwater as an alternative water source. This study summarises an evaluation of the water quality obtained for privately-owned cisterns sampled in Tucson, AZ and the feasibility to obtain high-quality water from harvested rainwater by fitting cisterns with Point of Use (POU) filtration and UV disinfection devices. Of the 11 cisterns sampled, 30-50% tested positive for E. coli, 100% contained Enterococci and a few tested positive for lead at concentrations above the MCL. All physicochemical and microbiological constituents analysed were present at higher numbers in the summer than in the winter. The POU devices sufficiently cleared the harvested rainwater of total coliforms, E. coli, and Enterococci but performed marginally with respects to improving turbidity and heterotrophic bacteria.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:1573-062X
1744-9006
DOI:10.1080/15730620801977174