A case study on rainwater harvesting and reuse in Jordan

Abstract

The problem of continuous decline in precipitation in the Arab countries and neighboring countries is one of the most important challenges facing countries and societies in this region. The increasing shortage of rainfall due to climate change in these regions in particular and in most countries in the world in general drives these countries and communities to over-extraction from groundwater, which could result in rapid loss, The concept of water harvesting is intended to try to make the most of rainfall by finding ways to ensure the accumulation of the largest possible rain precipitation and to store it for use in many areas and in some extent to reduce the groundwater,The aim of this study is to develop some methods in urban treatments through the design of sidewalks and streets within the cities in order to allow the flow of rainwater and work to collect them in containers used later in the irrigation of gardens or in the requirements of fire extinguishing systems or any other urban needs. This case study was done in Al Madina Al Munawwarah Street in Amman, Jordan. The results said that the total amount of water can be collected during the rain seasons in the target area will be about 9146 m3/y. This quantity can be used for a fire extinguisher or irrigation of plant or trees in the middle or at both sides of the street. This means that the water harvested over the Jordan area is about 243000000 m3.