Effects of local and spatial conditions on the quality of harvested rainwater in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
The objective of this study was to assess the quality of harvested rainwater in the Mekong Delta (MD), Vietnam for local (roof types, storage system and duration) and spatial (proximity of industry, main roads, coastline) conditions. 78 harvested rainwater samples were collected in the MD and analyzed for pH, turbidity, TDS, COD, nutrients (NH4, NO3, NO2, o-PO4), trace metals and coliforms. The results show that thatch roofs lead to an increase of pollutants like COD (max 23.2 mgl(-1)) and turbidity (max 10.1 mgl(-1)) whereas galvanized roofs lead to an increase of Zn (max 2.2 mgl(-1)). The other local and spatial parameters had no or only minor influence on the quality of household harvested rainwater. However, lead (Pb) (max. 16.9 μgl(-1)) and total coliforms (max. 102 500 CFU100 ml(-1)) were recorded at high concentrations, probably due to a variety of household-specific conditions such as rainwater storage, collection and handling practices.
United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security, Hermann-Ehlers-Strasse 10, 53113 Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: wilbers@ehs.unu.edu.
Gert-Jan
GJ
Wilbers
Zita
Z
Sebesvari
Andrea
A
Rechenburg
Fabrice G
FG
Renaud
D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D011891:Rain; D014744:Vietnam; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D060766:Drinking Water; D014873:Water Pollutants; D007854:Lead
Coliforms; Contamination; Drinking water; Harvested rainwater; Lead; Roof types