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Sustainable Rainwater Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Perspectives

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  • Igor Catão Martins Vaz

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Research Group on Management of Sustainable Environments, Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

  • Rodrigo Novais Istchuk

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Research Group on Management of Sustainable Environments, Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

  • Tânia Mara Sebben Oneda

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Research Group on Management of Sustainable Environments, Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

  • Enedir Ghisi

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Research Group on Management of Sustainable Environments, Laboratory of Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting is a promising technique for more rational water use. However, its sustainability merits remain a subject of ongoing debate among researchers. Life cycle assessment (LCA), a method employed to measure the environmental impact of varying solutions, is helpful in this regard. Accordingly, this paper delivers an integrative review based on the PRISMA protocol, outlining challenges and potential avenues for the LCA application to rainwater harvesting. The central findings indicate that while residential buildings are most commonly examined, more consensus is needed on a uniform analytical framework. Furthermore, several benefits of rainwater are often not considered in LCA and need further exploration to understand possible synergies for its broader implementation. Finally, LCA integration with a life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) shows exciting results as it may be a more straightforward showcase of the benefits of an integrated assessment. It is concluded that specific details of the LCA of rainwater harvesting may still be simplistic. There is much work to be done in holistic assessments to prove the system’s sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor Catão Martins Vaz & Rodrigo Novais Istchuk & Tânia Mara Sebben Oneda & Enedir Ghisi, 2023. "Sustainable Rainwater Management and Life Cycle Assessment: Challenges and Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:16:p:12133-:d:1213016
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ali, Shahbaz & Sang, Yan-Fang & Pilla, Francesco & Singh, Vijay P. & Dilawar, Adil, 2025. "Implementing urban rainwater harvesting systems: Multiple potential performances, barriers, challenges, solutions, and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    2. Tamar Opher & Eran Friedler, 2024. "Sustainability Assessment of Harvesting Rainwater and Air-Conditioning Condensate Water in Multi-Family Residential Buildings under Various Conditions in Israel—A Simulation Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-20, September.

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