A survey on the need to incorporate rainwater harvesting systems as an alternative domestic water source in Ghana

Abstract

This research survey seeks to gather responses in rainwater gathering and storage using harvesting systems as a key alternative. About 502 responses were gathered. Averaging 8 persons per household and 6 rooms per household. 73.1 % of males and 26.9 females. The main source of water includes GWCL (37.8 %), Borehole/groundwater (59.6 %), both GWCL & Borehole (1 %), Both Rainwater & GWCL (1 %), other unspecified sources (0.6 %). 58.2 % responded ‘Yes’ to the collection of rainwater to 41.8 ‘No’ responses. Methods for collecting rainwater includes roof gutter & drain spouts (37.8 %), open containers (40.8 %), other unspecified means (14.7 %). 56.8 % said ‘YES’, with about 2 % saying ‘IF THE NEED BE’ and 41.2 % responding ‘NO’ to the need to collect rainwater for future use. Roofs age also contribute to water quality, 45.2 % were above 10 years, 30.7 % between 7-10 years, 14.3 % between 4-6 years and 9.8 % between 1-3 years. Furthermore, 65.3 % respondents had heard of rainwater harvester systems. About 75.7 % responded to ‘NO’ for not having rainwater systems installed. About 83.3 % responded ‘NO’ to treating the collected water before use. About 64.1% are willing to treat the harvested rainwater. About 61.4 % respondents indicated the reduction in their water bill. The t-statistic and P-value results suggested collecting rainwater does not appear to be associated with a difference in the number of rooms in a household. The Chi-square statistic of 14.394 and a P-value of 0.000148 establishes a strong association between collecting rainwater at the household during the rainy seasons and seeing a reduction in water bills during the rainy season compared to reliance on traditional water supplies alone. Households that collect rainwater are significantly more likely to see a reduction in their water bills. There is a growing interest in the gathering, harvesting and the purification of rainwater for domestic use as a great alternative.