The era of “multi-demic” and potable use of Roof harvested rainwater
(RHRW), is it safe?: a letter to the editor from Pakistan
Abstract
Pakistan is one of the 36 water-stressed countries, with less than 1000
cubic per person annual water availability. Factors like global warming,
urbanization, and irrigation for agribusiness have come into play in
skyrocketing the need for water globally. As a low-middle income
country, inhabitants of Pakistan are actively moving toward resolving
the water crisis through rainwater harvesting during the monsoon period.
Though the practice is simple, feasible, and cost-effective, there are
certain health risks associated with it. Due to its virological and
microbial quality, rainwater is highly contraindicated for potable use
without proper treatment. Pathogens like Campylobacter jejuni,
Salmonella spp., Giardia lamblia, hepatitis A virus, rotaviruses, etc,
and fecal matter of animals like birds, mammals, and reptiles,
contaminate the roof harvested rainwater (RHRW) and result in diseases
such as Human enteritis, Acute diarrheal disease, Giardiasis, among many
others. Apart from this, the sporadic multi-demics of dengue, malaria,
and cholera being directly or indirectly related to the monsoon period
impose a burden on Pakistan’s public health sector and improper Rooftop
Rainwater Harvesting (RTRWH) adds to the stress. It is now imperative
that doctors and public health officials join hands to counsel the
public on individual and national levels to contain the recurring
outbreaks of these diseases associated with the monsoon period.
Procedures of RHRW treatment such as ultra-membrane filtration, UV
treatment, safe roofing material, and first-flush diversion devices
should be strategically promoted through awareness campaigns. Our
article discusses the limitations for potable use of RHRW in this era of
multi-demic and suggests strategies to retrieve favorable outcomes to
cater to the water scarcity through RTRWH in the state effectively.