RAINWATER HARVESTING CAN REDUCE PRESSURE ON PRIMARY WATER SOURCES – EXPERT

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Harvesting rainwater can reduce the strain on the country's primary water sources, reducing dependence on rivers, dams, and groundwater, especially during drought, opined experts.

Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering Studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Dr Mohamed Syazwan Osman, said such an initiative could also help mitigate the risk of flash floods. Excessive surface water flow can be better managed by implementing rainwater collection systems in homes and buildings.

He added that using rainwater for non-drinking purposes, such as watering plants, cleaning, and toilet systems, could help households and industrial premises lower their water bills.

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"By utilising natural resources sustainably, we can lessen the use of traditional water sources while preserving the ecosystem," he told Bernama today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim directed the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA) to submit a proposal on utilising rainwater to ensure sufficient water supply during drought within two weeks.

Commenting on the matter, Mohamed Syazwan said various technologies could be employed for effective rainwater harvesting and one such technology is the Rainwater Harvesting System (RWH), which utilises rooftops as a catchment surface. The collected rainwater is then channelled into storage tanks equipped with filters for specific use.

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Purification systems can also filter rainwater through membrane technology or biological systems to improve its quality, making it suitable for drinking.

Furthermore, integrating smart technology, such as Internet of Things-based Water Management, allows for improved control and optimisation of rainwater usage based on demand and weather forecasts.

He acknowledged that the high initial costs pose a significant challenge to implementing rainwater harvesting systems in the country.

Mohamed Syazwan said rainwater harvesting systems require an initial investment that may burden some households and businesses. Additionally, proper maintenance is essential to prevent water contamination and ensure the system's efficiency.

"Therefore, the government needs to develop comprehensive guidelines and regulations to ensure these systems are safe and operate effectively," he added.

Meanwhile, the President of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (AWER), S. Piarapakaran, believes rainwater can be an alternative source to replace treated water for non-drinking and hygiene-related uses.

However, he emphasised that rainwater may need treatment for industrial or business sectors before being used in processing or manufacturing, as it is generally not a suitable clean water source for most industrial processes.

He added there are also several other concerns to address when implementing rainwater harvesting systems. These include the risk of mosquito breeding and safety measures to ensure storage tanks are not easily accessible to children, preventing accidents or injuries.

"Urban rainwater also tends to be acidic, so the materials and equipment used in these systems must be suitable to prevent frequent damage and high maintenance costs," he added.

-- BERNAMA