Feasibility, seasonality and reliability of rainwater harvesting in buildings of a university in Campina Grande, Paraíba

ABSTRACT Urban areas in semi-arid regions are under chronic water stress. In this scenario, expanding water supply with decentralized sources that collaborate with Water-Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) may be relevant, such as rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems. In this respect, this study aimed to analyze the potential for the use of rainwater in public buildings in the Brazilian semi-arid region, integrating three aspects: environmental and economic feasibility, seasonality, and reliability. The results provide substantial evidence on the benefits of using rainwater, both from an environmental and an economic point of view. This use can significantly reduce the annual consumption of water from the public supply, which would reduce the demand from water bodies. It has also been found that there is considerable variation in the potable water savings potential throughout the year; the systems, however, still provide reliability.