Assessing the Feasibility of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting for Food Production in Northwestern Arizona on the Hualapai Indian Reservation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

-        Add a couple of more keywords, especially words that are not mentioned in the title.

-        Add a paragraph about agriculture in the study area.

-        Explain the used colors in Figure 2 in the legend or title of the figure.

-        Page 3-4: 2-1: is a combination between used data and climatic description of the study area. Put them in the sections.

-        Page 4: “to be calculated based off” based off or based on?

-        Page 5, equation 2: “where Vr is the volume of rainfall” but in the equation you have only V. Correct it.

-        Figure 4,a: “On going” or ongoing? And add the average line of precipitation (241mm) to it.

-        Page 9: “while a winter year” or a winter season?

-        Page 13: “to ensure that that”: correct it.

-        Page 13: “an average of 81 kg of dry maize that can be harvested at the end of the growing season solely using the harvested rainwater.” In terms of water harvesting, it is a great idea. From the economic viewpoint, how do you compare the cost of water harvesting and the price of 81km of maize? 

Author Response

•   Add a couple of more keywords, especially words that are not mentioned in the title. 
  • Additional keywords have been added
• Add a paragraph about agriculture in the study area.
  • Agricultural information is limited to the public, known agricultural practices have been added to the description of the study area (2.1)
• Explain the used colors in Figure 2 in the legend or title of the figure.
  • The colors have been explained, thanks for the catch. 
• Page 3-4: 2-1: is a combination between used data and climatic description of the study area. Put them in the sections.
  • Done, thank you. 
•  Page 5, equation 2: “where Vr is the volume of rainfall” but in the equation you have only V. Correct it.
  • Done, thank you. 
• Page 9: “while a winter year” or a winter season?
  • It meant to say 'while a wet year', thank you. 
• Page 13: “to ensure that that”: correct it.
  • Done, thank you. 
• Page 13: “an average of 81 kg of dry maize that can be harvested at the end of the growing season solely using the harvested rainwater.” In terms of water harvesting, it is a great idea. From the economic viewpoint, how do you compare the cost of water harvesting and the price of 81km of maize? 
  • An explanation has been provided. 

Reviewer 2 Report

It has been found that collecting rainwater from roofs could be a good way to grow food in dry areas. This study looks at whether or not it would be possible to grow food in northwest Arizona on the Hualapai Indian Reservation by collecting rainwater from roofs. The Hualapai Indian Reservation is in the northwest corner of Arizona, and it covers about 1.2 million acres. The area receives an average of 9.7 inches of precipitation annually, and temperatures range from a low of 25°F to a high of 90°F. The area has a dry climate, and most of the rain falls in the summer. Rooftop rainwater harvesting can be a viable option for food production in this region. Rainwater collected from roofs can be a reliable source of water for growing food. There is enough rain in the area for rooftop rainwater harvesting systems to work. The rainwater can be used to water crops, add irrigation water from other sources, or give water to animals. The area is also hot and has low humidity, which makes it a good place to use rainwater harvesting systems. In order to maximize the potential of rooftop rainwater harvesting for food. The detailed findings are given below:

1. Introduction is well-written, hypothesis and objectives are clearly defined

2. Materials and method discuss the information about the area, and materials used but a methodology flowchart is missing. Please include it for better understanding and greater reach for a good number of citations.

3. In the results section improve the quality of figure 4 & %, currently hazy.

4. Validation of the model/results used is missing, please include it.

5. Discussion is well-written, but references to relevant work in this section are missing, please include them for justification and clarity.

6. In the conclusion section include the way forward, currently missing with important highlights of the study.

Author Response

• 1. Introduction is well-written, hypothesis and objectives are clearly defined
  • Thank you
• 2. Materials and method discuss the information about the area, and materials used but a methodology flowchart is missing. Please include it for better understanding and greater reach for a good number of citations.
  • A methodology flowchart has been included. 
• 3. In the results section improve the quality of figure 4 & %, currently hazy.
  • The figures have been revised.
• 4. Validation of the model/results used is missing, please include it.
  • Validation information has been added. 
• 5. Discussion is well-written, but references to relevant work in this section are missing, please include them for justification and clarity.
  • Additional citations have been included. 
• 6. In the conclusion section include the way forward, currently missing with important highlights of the study.
  • Additional information has been included.