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Optimizing Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Non-potable Water Uses and Surface Runoff Mitigation

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Numerical Computations: Theory and Algorithms (NUMTA 2019)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 11973))

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting systems represent sustainable solutions that meet the challenges of water saving and surface runoff mitigation. The collected rainwater can be re-used for several purposes such as irrigation of green roofs and garden, flushing toilets, etc. Optimizing the water usage in each such use is a significant goal. To achieve this goal, we have considered TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) and Rough Set method as Multi-Objective Optimization approaches by analyzing different case studies. TOPSIS was used to compare algorithms and evaluate the performance of alternatives, while Rough Set method was applied as a machine learning method to optimize rainwater-harvesting systems. Results by Rough Set method provided a baseline for decision-making and the minimal decision algorithm were obtained as six rules. In addition, The TOPSIS method ranked all case studies, and because we used several correlated attributes, the findings are more accurate from other simple ranking method. Therefore, the numerical optimization of rainwater harvesting systems will improve the knowledge from previous studies in the field, and provide an additional tool to identify the optimal rainwater reuse in order to save water and reduce the surface runoff discharged into the sewer system.

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Acknowledgements

The study was co-funded by the “Innovative Building Envelope through Smart Technology (I-Best)” Project funded by the Italian National Operational Program “Enterprise and Competitiveness” 2014–2020 ERDF – I AXIS “Innovation” - Action 1.1.3 – “Support for the economic enhancement of innovation through experimentation and the adoption of innovative solutions in processes, products and organizational formulas, as well as through the financing of the industrialization of research results”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy

    Stefania Anna Palermo & Vito Cataldo Talarico

  2. Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy

    Behrouz Pirouz

Authors
  1. Stefania Anna Palermo
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  2. Vito Cataldo Talarico
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  3. Behrouz Pirouz
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Correspondence to Stefania Anna Palermo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Calabria, Rende, Italy

    Yaroslav D. Sergeyev

  2. University of Calabria, Rende, Italy

    Dmitri E. Kvasov

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Palermo, S.A., Talarico, V.C., Pirouz, B. (2020). Optimizing Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Non-potable Water Uses and Surface Runoff Mitigation. In: Sergeyev, Y., Kvasov, D. (eds) Numerical Computations: Theory and Algorithms. NUMTA 2019. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 11973. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39081-5_49

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39081-5_49

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