Rainwater Harvesting as Sustainable Solution to Cope with Drinking Water Scarcity and Urban Flooding: A Case Study of Public Institutions in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is currently facing physical and economic water scarcity issues, which have been further complicated by the rapid increase in its population and climate change. In affected areas, many methods are being used to tackle this problem, among which rainwater harvesting (RWH) provides the best alternative source of domestic water supply. In rainwater harvesting, a mechanism is designed to effectively collect surface runoff during rainfall events from residential rooftops. It has also been found that rainwater has great potential as a source of water supply in residential areas of major cities, such as Lahore, which is the focus of our study. This research paper examines rainwater harvesting as a sustainable solution to address the challenges of drinking water scarcity and urban flooding. The study discusses the benefits of rainwater harvesting, including reducing reliance on municipal water sources, improving water quality, and mitigating the impact of urban flooding. Additionally, the paper explores the use of filtered water points in conjunction with rainwater harvesting systems to provide clean drinking water to communities. The research draws on case studies from various regions to illustrate the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting as a sustainable solution to water scarcity and urban flooding. Ultimately, the study concludes that rainwater harvesting, when coupled with filtered water points, can offer an effective and sustainable solution to address drinking water scarcity and urban flooding.