Master’s Degree Awarded to Researcher Adel Mawadah in Integrated Water Resources Management
Researcher Adel Qayed Ahmed Saeed Mawadah was awarded a Master’s Degree in Integrated Water Resources Management for his thesis titled: Assessment of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting and Its Impact on Urban Water Supply: Al-Wahdah District as a Case Study, which was submitted to the Water and Environment Center– Sana’a University. The MA defense was held on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
The MA Viva-voce Committee, which was formed based on a resolution issued by the Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Council, consisted of the following:
# Committee Members Designation Position
1 Prof. Basim Shaif Abdulqader Al-Khirbash Internal Examiner Chair
2 Assoc. Prof. Marwan Ahmed Al-Baadani Main Supervisor Member
3 Assoc. Prof. Ghanem Shamsan Ahmed Nasher External Examiner Member
The study adopted a field-based and spatial methodology using a scientifically and statistically validated questionnaire. The field survey yielded 374 valid responses, of which 277 residential buildings were classified and included in the analysis. The data were statistically and spatially analyzed using SPSS and GIS.
The study aimed to assess the actual potential of rooftop rainwater harvesting and its contribution to meeting part of household water needs. It also examined the role of rainwater harvesting in reducing peak surface runoff in densely populated urban areas and the resulting localized flooding that can impede the movement of residents and vehicles, thereby contributing to urban resilience and water security.
The study concluded that Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in the study area could cover approximately 19.6% of total actual household water demand, making it a supplementary water resource that could help reduce pressure on existing water sources and mitigate the excessive depletion of groundwater.
The study also made a contribution to the field of urban water planning by developing an indicator linking the per capita share of the common rooftop area of a residential building to the volume of water that can potentially be harvested, while accounting for variations in surface runoff coefficients according to the type of roofing material, including concrete, earthen, insulated, and metal surfaces.
The study recommended initiating pilot rainwater harvesting projects, including the design of integrated systems with optimal storage capacities and first-flush systems to improve water quality. It also recommended updating the building code to incorporate rainwater harvesting systems into future building design requirements and intensifying public awareness of the economic, environmental, and social benefits of such systems.
The defense was attended by a number of academic leaders, researchers, the researcher’s colleagues, postgraduate students, and professionals and interested participants in the water and environmental sectors.
