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PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF ROOF RUNOFF WATER QUALITY FOR SMALL SCALE RAINWATER HARVESTING

Applied Research

Michele Bakacs
County Agent II/ Associate Professor
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
North Brunswick

Abstract

\r\n In New Jersey, as in many other states, residential rain water harvesting using rain barrels has become a popular method for watering backyard and community gardens. Communities often turn to rain barrels as a first step in promoting water conservation and reducing stormwater runoff with their constituents.  Many homeowners and community gardens use harvested water to irrigate vegetable gardens, leading to compelling questions about the safety of roof runoff.  Usually, simple rainwater harvesting systems such as rain barrels are connected to homes without the protection put on larger cisterns such as downspout diverters, which divert the first flush of contaminated water from the container. Additionally, rainwater harvesting in older, urban communities presents a number of unique safety concerns because of the increase in pollutants, such as PAHs, from air deposition.  Little research has been done directly investigating the chemistry of rain barrel water or the safety of using harvested rain water on vegetable gardens. This poster will present an overview of the issues surrounding rooftop runoff and potential impact on rain barrel water. Potential chemical and biological parameters in need of investigation will be reviewed. Preliminary data collected in order to determine whether harvesting rainwater in a rain barrel poses a potential risk for the end user will be presented.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: M. Bakacs, M. Haberland
  1. Bakacs, M. Environmental and Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08902
  2. Haberland, M. Environmental and Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08021