Rainwater Harvesting in Universities: A Systematic Review of Applications and Benefits

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) is one of the Best Management Practices (BMP) that provides alternative water resources and has emerged as a sustainable solution to address diverse water management challenges. This study systematically reviews the application of RWHS as an alternative water resource in universities, guided by two objectives: to identify the types of RWHS applied and to discuss their importance in supporting sustainable water management. The review followed five methodological stages: review protocol selection, research question development, systematic database searching (Web of Science and Scopus), quality appraisal, and data extraction and analysis. From 987 initial records, 13 articles were selected, revealing five RWHS types: rooftop, surface runoff, small-scale, wind-driven, and permeable pavement systems. Rooftop RWHS was the most applied and cost-effective, while surface and pavement systems were least implemented but offered dual benefits of runoff reduction and groundwater recharge. The review identifies several research gaps, including the lack of studies on long-term system performance, governance, and integration of RWHS within university sustainability frameworks. RWHS provides environmental benefits through water conservation, flood mitigation, and groundwater recharge, alongside economic advantages such as reduced utility costs and operational savings. Future research should conduct comparative and multi-regional analyses, assess innovative RWHS designs, and evaluate institutional and policy frameworks to strengthen the integration of RWHS into higher education sustainability initiatives.