Virtual Booth

Water scarcity and inefficient water resource management are growing concerns, particularly in urban areas. Despite Malaysia receiving an average annual rainfall of approximately 2520 mm, a large amount of rainwater is not utilized effectively. Schools continue to rely heavily on treated water for non-potable uses, including toilet flushing and cleaning. This practice increases operational costs and places unnecessary pressure on water treatment systems. Therefore, a sustainable alternative is needed to reduce water wastage and improve resource efficiency. This project introduces a Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) system designed to collect, filter, and reuse rainwater for non-potable applications in school environments. The system begins by collecting rainwater from rooftop catchment areas, which is then directed into a storage tank. To ensure water quality, the collected rainwater undergoes a two-stage filtration process. The first stage uses a Multimedia Filter (MMF) to remove larger suspended particles. The MMF consists of layered media such as anthracite, silica sand, alumina, and magnetite, each playing a role in trapping particles of varying sizes. The second stage uses an Activated Carbon Filter (ACF), which removes smaller particles, organic impurities, and odors, ensuring that the water is safe for reuse. Research was conducted using rainfall data from 2015 to 2024, along with daily rainfall data from early 2025, obtained from Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia. In addition, water consumption data from a school in Selangor revealed that a significant volume of treated water is used monthly, mainly for toilet flushing and cleaning. It is also estimated that schools with around 1,000 daily users consume up to 456,000 liters of water per month for these purposes. The proposed system is capable of recycling up to 10 m³ of water per hour, which equals approximately 84,000 m³ annually. With the average water tariff in Selangor at RM2.94 per m³, the system can generate annual savings of about RM246,960. The total cost of implementation is estimated at RM304,040, including capital, electricity, and maintenance costs. Based on these figures, the system achieves a return on investment (ROI) within approximately 1.23 years, making it both economically and environmentally beneficial. Laboratory testing confirmed that the filtered water meets acceptable standards for non-potable use, with key parameters such as turbidity and pH levels within safe limits. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the filtration system in producing reusable water. This project supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). It promotes efficient water usage, reduces wastage, and encourages the adoption of sustainable technologies. Future improvements include integrating IoT-based sensors to monitor water quality in real time, increasing storage capacity, and incorporating solar-powered components to enhance energy efficiency. The system can also be expanded for additional uses such as landscaping and cleaning, and it may help reduce urban flooding by lowering pressure on drainage systems. In conclusion, the RWH system provides a practical, cost-effective, and sustainable solution to reduce water wastage in schools while promoting a greener future.