In the present context of water scarcity, it is has now become imperative that the people in Bhubaneswar should go for roof top rain water harvesting as a better alternative to manage and avoid acute water scarcity that is being foreseen in the near future. Keeping the acute water shortage in forefront, the study has been undertaken to determine the rainwater harvesting potential and the optimum size of the storage tank for rainwater harvesting in residential quarters of OUAT, Bhubaneswar. The

more »

... ainfall data for 9 years was used to determine harvested runoff potential. Water balance equation was used for the determination of roof top tank size. The maximum harvested runoff potential occurred at 50 percent probability of occurrence in the month of August was found to be 6.53, 12.95, 16.26 and 18.47 m 3 for 1R, 2R (B), 3R (S) and 4R respectively. Based on the demand, the tank size for 1R, 2R (B), 3R (S) and 4R OUAT quarters was found to be 7, 20, 23 and 25 m 3 respectively. Cost for Sintex storage tank of 1R, 2R (B), 3R (S) and 4R quarters was determined to be Rs.43,750/-, Rs.1,25,000/-, Rs.1,56,250/-and Rs.1,56,250/-respectively and has been suggested for use .