Rafael Alves ITM

Integrated Discrete Event Simulation Analysis of Rainwater Harvesting Performance and Cistern Storage Dynamics in Arid Environment

Leitura de 13 min

Integrated Discrete Event Simulation Analysis of Rainwater Harvesting Performance and Cistern Storage Dynamics in Arid Environment

🎯 Resumo

Abstract Original

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is increasingly recognized as a viable strategy to enhance urban water security in arid regions; however, its performance and economic feasibility remain highly dependent on stochastic rainfall behavior, and system-level integration. This study presents an integrated hydrological–GIS–discrete event simulation (DES)–optimization framework to quantify the technical and economic potential of RWH in Sabah Al-Ahmad City, Kuwait, using historical rainfall data. Rainfallrunoff volumes were estimated through a land-use–based runoff coefficient approach and spatially resolved using high-resolution topographic and drainage datasets. To capture the inherently stochastic nature of rainfall in arid environments, spatially derived runoff volumes were embedded within a DES framework that explicitly models cistern storage dynamics under variable inflow and deterministic irrigation demand. Economic analysis indicates an effective harvested water cost of approximately 0.005 USD m−3. When compared with conventional water supplies, the integration of rainwater harvesting (RWH) with tertiary-treated wastewater reduces rainy-season irrigation costs by about 21%, resulting in seasonal savings of approximately USD 0.45 million. These findings demonstrate that the integration of spatial hydrological analysis, stochastic simulation, and economic optimization provides a robust and scalable decision-support framework for cost-effective RWH planning in arid urban settings, with particular relevance to hyper-arid environments.

Keywords: Rainwater harvesting; Discrete event simulation; GIS-based hydrological analysis; Stochastic rainfall variability; Urban irrigation management; Cost–benefit analysis.

📚 Bibliografia

JOURNAL OF SIMULATION. Integrated Discrete Event Simulation Analysis of Rainwater Harvesting Performance and Cistern Storage Dynamics in Arid Environment. , 2026.

🧠 Minhas Notas & Análise

🎯 Objetivo

  • Resumo: This study presents an integrated hydrological–GIS–discrete event simulation (DES)–optimization framework to quantify the technical and economic potential of RWH in Sabah Al-Ahmad City, Kuwait, using historical rainfall data.
  • Introdução: This paper explores its feasibility in the arid context of Kuwait, employing forecasting techniques, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and simulation methods to assess its viability. These tools provide a detailed analysis of how RWH can be effectively implemented, offering insights into optimal collection strategies and the potential impact on the region’s water resources.

🧬 Método

  • The developed framework integrates agricultural water demand assessment, rainfall analysis, spatial analysis using GIS, simulation modeling, and economic evaluation to provide a comprehensive and robust assessment.
  • To capture the stochastic nature of rainfall and evaluate storage performance under variable conditions, discrete-event simulation modeling (DES) was employed.
  • Optimization procedure was applied to determine efficient storage placement using the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) method.
  • Finally, an economic evaluation was conducted to assess the financial feasibility of the proposed RWH system by estimating potential cost savings associated with substituting treated water with harvested rainwater for agricultural irrigation.
  • Economic feasibility was evaluated using a Net Present Value (NPV) framework, which converts upfront capital expenditures and recurring maintenance costs into present-value terms.

🏆 Resultados

  • Economic analysis indicates an effective harvested water cost of approximately 0.005 USD m−3. When compared with conventional water supplies, the integration of rainwater harvesting (RWH) with tertiary-treated wastewater reduces rainy-season irrigation costs by about 21%, resulting in seasonal savings of approximately USD 0.45 million.

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🔣 Bibliografia Latex

@misc{journalofsimulation2026,
  title = {Integrated {{Discrete Event Simulation Analysis}} of {{Rainwater Harvesting Performance}} and {{Cistern Storage Dynamics}} in {{Arid Environment}}},
  author = {{Journal of Simulation}},
  year = 2026,
}

🖍️ Notas e Destaques

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