Evaluation of dual-mode rainwater harvesting system to mitigate typhoon-induced water shortage in Taiwan

摘要

The water shortage of today’s world is one of the most challenging problems and the world isnlooking for the best solution to reduce it. Some human made causes and also natural causes arenliable for the shortage of the existing water supply system. In Taiwan, especially during typhoon,nthe turbidity of raw water increases beyond the treatment level and the plant cannot supplynrequired amount of water. To make the system effective, a couple of days are needed andnthe shortage occurs. The purpose of this study is to solve this emergency shortage problem.nA dual-mode Rainwater Harvesting System (RWHS) was designed for this study as a supplementnto the existing water supply system to support some selected non-potable components such asntoilet and urinal flushing of an elementary school. An optimal design algorithm was developednusing YAS (yield after spillage) and YBS (yield before spillage) release rules. The study resultnproved that an optimum volume of tank can solve the emergency water shortage properly.nThe system was found to be more reliable in Taipei area than that of Tainan area. The studynalso discovered that a government subsidy would be needed to promote the system in Taiwan.