Multivariate Analysis of Harvested Rainwater Quality Utilizing Sustainable Solar-Energy-Driven Water Treatment

Abstract

The rising importance of utilizing rainwater as a sustainable and viable alternative water source is evident amid increasing urbanization and the mounting global apprehensions about water scarcity. This research aims to develop a comprehensive and sustainable approach to rainwater treatment by effectively utilizing the recently constructed solar panels at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in Pakistan. The study’s distinctiveness lies in its comprehensive examination of treatment plant efficiency under various weather conditions in a water-scarce region. The main objective of this work is to maximize the harvested rainwater in order to provide safe drinking water while lessening the carbon footprint of treatment operations. The proposed University of Engineering and Technology water purification process (UETWPP) method involves a sequence of four essential rainwater filtration stages, namely aeration, absorption, sediment filtration, and finally, UV disinfection, all powered by solar energy. Water samples were collected monthly for a year to assess the quality of untreated and treated rainwater, including physical, chemical, and biological parameters. Multivariate analysis techniques were used to assess these parameters, including the Friedman test and principal component analyses. By reducing the initial set of twenty components down to the four most critical ones identified in the untreated water samples, the interrelationships among these components were investigated. The results indicate that the quality of treated water using the UETWPP process was found to be suitable for human consumption, aligning with the local standards as well as those established by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting the effectiveness of the process in transforming rainwater into potable water. Ultimately, this pilot project showcases the viability and economic efficiency of the proposed system, rendering it easily implementable in other regions.