To develop a decision support tool for sizing and material selection of rainwater harvesting tanks for optimal water quality and cost :

Abstract

The usage of rainwater harvesting devices for home and agricultural applications has expanded as a result of growing water scarcity and the necessity for sustainable water management methods. But for many customers, choosing the best size and material for rainwater harvesting tanks to balance water quality and cost remains a difficulty. Because of this, it may be necessary to use tanks that are either undersized or oversized, which will lower water quality and increase maintenance expenses. Previous studies have focused on optimal sizing based on different parameters and also the effect of tank material on water quality which leaves a research gap on how to select the appropriate tank size and material that can ensure water quality and cost efficiency. Therefore, this study seeks to fill this gap by developing a decision support tool that can optimize the selection of tank size and material based on current water demand and supply, water quality, and long-term cost considerations.