Assessment of water quality of first-flush roof runoff and harvested rainwater

Six pilot rainwater harvesting systems were installed in five urban, suburban and rural houses, and on a university campus. The systems consist of horizontal gutters to collect roof drainage, and downdrains which end into one or two plastic storage tanks. Devices were also provided to remove first-flush water. Water quality was monitored in the storage tanks and the first-flush devices during the 2-year period from October 2006 to November 2008....