Abstract
This study identified the need for water to be stored up for use in the dry season in Ekpoma, a town where it is challenging to reach a river within a short distance, since the water table and borehole is not an option as source of water supply, harvesting rainwater during the raining season and storing up in a good reservoir for use in the dry season was considered. Rainwater was harvested from the following roof types: asbestos, normal zinc and aluminum. Samples of the water were analysed for physical, biological and chemical characteristics. The results were then compared with that of the sample of rainwater collected directly (atmosphere). Adequate quantity of water was obtained by calculating roof area and the ground reservoir storage capacity that will be sufficient for an average household of seven (7) over a period of four (4) months of no rainfall were all put in place and discussed in this study. The results showed that the samples for all roof types- asbestos, normal zinc and aluminum, have higher iron (3.55, 3.75, 3.26 respectively), lead (0.08, 0.1, 0.08 respectively) and turbidity (11, 9, 6 respectively), while all, except the aluminum roof have higher suspended solid (asbestos- 8; normal zinc- 7; aluminum- 2) than the acceptable values of the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMenv) and World Health Organisation (WHO). Aluminum roofing sheet, having a Water Quality Index of 7.8323, was recommended alongside some suitable treatments like chlorination and coagulation, after thorough analysis have been done, since the cost of treatment is lower.
