Low-cost methods of rainwater storage: results from field trials in Ethiopia and Kenya

Rainwater harvesting can be defined as the collection and storage of rainwater run-off from a variety of surfaces for domestic use or agricultural purposes. The investiga- tions described here are for the storage of rainwater for domestic purposes. This water is collected mainly from roofs and is sometimes referred to as ëblue waterí in contrast to ëgreen waterí which is water that is utilized by living organisms (plants and ani- mals) for production. Awareness of the need for rainwater harvesting has been growing with the realiza- tion that in many areas existing water resources cannot meet the needs of an expand- ing population. The quality of existing water supplies is often poor and leads to continuing problems of water-borne diseases. In many areas there is little or no likeli- hood of a piped water supply becoming available. Therefore roof-water harvesting would appear to offer a feasible way of improving quality and availability. In Ethiopia it is estimated that out of the total population living in rural communi- ties only 3ñ4% have access to a safe water supply. Diseases caused by poor sanitation and lack of hygiene in the home are a constant threat. In addition much time and energy is taken up with fetching water from distant sources. At least once every day women children and in rare cases men leave their homes carrying a variety of con- tainers to collect water for domestic use. During the long dry season and in the more arid areas individuals may travel as far as 10ñ15 km to fetch water. In Kenya it is not uncommon for girls to be withdrawn from school during dry periods to help with fetch- ing water.

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