Design and evaluate a community-based rainwater harvesting system in urban areas

Thesis Abstract

Urban areas face increasing water scarcity challenges exacerbated by climate variability, population growth, and inadequate municipal water infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable water management practices. This study aims to design, implement, and evaluate a community-based rainwater harvesting (RWH) system tailored for urban neighborhoods, with specific objectives to optimize catchment design, assess community participation and acceptance, evaluate the system’s technical performance, and analyze economic and environmental impacts. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative techniques to provide a comprehensive evaluation. The quantitative component involves a quasi-experimental design with a sample of 150 households within a selected urban district, selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection instruments include structured questionnaires, technical performance sensors, and water quality analyses, while qualitative data are gathered through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with community members and local authorities. The validity and reliability of survey instruments are established via pilot testing and Cronbach’s alpha, while triangulation enhances data credibility. Quantitative data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, chi-square tests for community acceptance, and multiple regression analysis to identify determinants of system performance. Qualitative data are thematically analyzed to explore community perceptions and behavioral factors influencing system adoption. The conceptual framework draws on the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand behavioral determinants and the Pumping Well Model to assess system efficiency. It is anticipated that the study will reveal significant improvements in water availability and quality through community-managed RWH systems, highlighting key factors affecting community participation and system sustainability. The evaluation aims to identify optimal design parameters, cost-effectiveness, and social acceptance levels, providing evidence-based recommendations for scaling community-based RWH practices in similar urban contexts. The expected outcomes include enhanced understanding of socio-technical dynamics affecting system performance, clarification of behavioral drivers and barriers to community participation, and insights into environmental benefits, such as reduced stormwater runoff and flood mitigation. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by integrating community participation, technical design, and behavioral insights into urban rainwater harvesting evaluations, addressing gaps related to socio-technical viability and sustainability of community-led water initiatives. Additionally, the research proposes a scalable model for participatory rainwater harvesting that emphasizes local capacity building and sustainable resource management. The main conclusion underscores that community-based rainwater harvesting systems can substantially improve urban water security when designed with community involvement, technical robustness, and behavioral considerations. Policy recommendations include integrating community-managed RWH into urban water planning, fostering local capacity development, and promoting awareness campaigns on water conservation. The study further suggests avenues for future research, such as longitudinal assessments of system performance and scaling studies across different urban settings to generalize findings. Overall, this research advances sustainable urban water management by demonstrating the practicality and benefits of community-centered rainwater harvesting systems, providing actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local communities aiming to enhance urban resilience to water scarcity.