@article{fdi:010073074,
  title = {{C}omparison of the chemical quality of rainwater harvested from roof and surface run-off systems},
  author = {{S}elala, {M}. {S}. and {T}henga, {H}. and {J}ewitt, {G}. {P}. {W}. and {C}haplot, {V}incent},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{D}espite numerous studies, little is known about the quality of rainwater harvested ({RWH}) from roofs or overland flow by smallholder farmers of {A}frica. {T}hus, the main objective of this study was to compare the physical and chemical quality of the rainwater harvested from both dwelling roofs and yards situated in a smallholder community in {K}wa{Z}ulu-{N}atal ({S}outh {A}frica). {R}ainwater samples were collected at 51 households during a dry period for assessment of the concentration of specific chemical elements. {T}he water harvested from metallic roofs and yards did not meet the {W}orld {H}ealth {O}rganization ({WHO}, 2011) guidelines for drinking water, as it exceeded recommended levels of {S}e, {A}l, {B} and {C}d in at least 75% of the roof water samples, and of {A}l in the case of yard {RWH}. {C}ompared to yard water, {RWH} from metallic roofs exhibited higher {B}, {S}e, {N}i, {P}b, {C}u, {A}s, {C}d, and {C}r but lower dissolved organic carbon ({DOC}), {NO}3-, {F}e, {SO}42-, {N}a, {M}g, {C}a, {K}, {F}e concentrations. {T}he content of nutrients and {DOC} in the water harvested from the surface correlated with the number of pigs per household (with r = 0.78 for {SO}42-, r = 0.74 for {DOC} and r = 0.52; {NO}3-). {T}hese results are expected to inform improved design and implementation of {RWH}. {F}urther investigations should consider both physicochemical and microbiological aspects of water quality to provide a more holistic understanding of potential health risks.},
  keywords = {rainwater harvesting ; roof-harvested rainwater ; pollution ; human health ; food security ; {A}frica ; rural ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{W}ater {SA}},
  volume = {44},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {223--231},
  ISSN = {0378-4738},
  year = {2018},
  DOI = {10.4314/wsa.v44i2.08},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010073074},
}