RAINWater Harvesting,Multiple Use Water & Livelihoods

Is the tank half full or half empty?

Rainwater harvesting can be an effective solution

“Africa is not water scarce. The rainfall contribution is more than adequate to meet the needs of the current population several times over”

UNEP/World Agroforestry Center report Nov, 2006

– Suitable wherever it rains– Simple technology: adaptable to local context and materials– Decentralised approach and local ownership– Rainwater needs (little to) no treatment → with basic

maintenance measures: WHO standards– Environmentally sustainable

Geographic focus of the RAIN Foundation

Target countries:

– South Asia

– Sub-Saharan Africa

RAIN presently active in:– Nepal– Ethiopia – Senegal – Burkina Faso– Mali

RAIN's approach to implementation

− Site selection: regions where RWH has greatest positive impact− Selection & training of implementing organisations− Pilot phase large-scale implementation− Identify a Rainwater Harvesting Capacity Center− Continuous learning, exchange & innovation, monitoring, evaluation,

fundraising

RAIN'S partnering with local NGO's & replication

Implementing organisations

RHCCs / country

NEWAHBSP

Helvetas

NRCS

Asradec CREPA

ActionAid

CCF

CREPA

WaterAid

Helvetas

…. ….

….

….

WaterAid

ASE ERSHA

AFD

WACT

BSP /Népal

ERHA /Ethiopia Sénégal Mali

WaterAid/CrepaBurkina Faso

Other countries

AfricareAide et Action

........ ….…. Caritas KaolackAfricare NEF ….….

ARFA Helvetas

CREPA

APDC

RAIN

GRAT

Alphalog

It RAINs in Ethiopia

Before …………………………….. and after

It RAINs in Nepal

Every drop counts!

RWH training in Burkina Faso

Pilot in Burkina Faso

RAIN achievements– Since 2004 active in five countries– 1,800,000 liters of RWH capacity reaching 12,000 people– Financial commitment from important donors

RAIN strengths– Focus on implementation – Dedicated and flexible – Clear strategy, including long-term sustainability– Broad network (local partners; expertise; donors)– Systematic monitoring, evaluation and continuous learning

Critical success factors for RWH

Success depends on:– Initial sites only where other water supply systems ‘fail’– Appropriate technology and low cost– Local ownership & maintenance (communal → household)– Responding to demand, marketing, capacity and ‘critical

mass’ (communities, NGO’s, government, donors and private clients; financial mechanisms)

– Systematic monitoring & performance measurement

Purposes of rainwater harvesting

Domestic use – Drinking water– Hygiene & Sanitation

Productive use– Agriculture – Livestock – Other livelihood/income-generating activities

Groundwater recharge … Integrated Water Resources Management

Is the tank half full or half empty?

Types of RainWater Harvesting?

− Roof top water harvesting− Surface run-off harvesting− Sand dams

… Sub-surface dams, pond reservoirs, terracing …

RESULTS EFFECTS IMPACTS

Drinking water

Multiple use water

RAIN water harvesting

1,800,000 liters rainwater storage capacity

12,000 people access to clean drinking water & hygiene awareness

Improved health: reduced disease incidence

Time & energy saved: school attendance & activities enabled

Increased well-being & productivity of individuals and households

Improved education, productivity and gender equity

For productive use: horticulture & agriculture, livestock, food processing, other

Ground water recharge

For domestic use: sanitation, food gardens, small livestock, biogas

Improved household food, energy & water security

Water-enabled enterprises and income-generation

Improved socio-economic well-being and gender equity

Improved soil productivity for crops and livestock

TECHNIQUES

Roof-top water harvesting; surface run-off water harvesting

Ponds/sand dams

Drinking and multiple-use water

Improved household nutrition, health & productivity

RAIN 2004-06 and beyond

RAIN 2007-10 and beyond

feasible less feasible

RAIN: from drinking water to multiple use

Points of Discussion

– Water quantity– Water quality– Techniques used & in combination with other water supply – Financing mechanisms– Partnerships & learning

The long-term– Multiplier effect: RWH / financing mechanisms– RWH for livelihood protection & productive use

Contact

RAIN Foundationc/o. Donker Curtiusstraat 7- 523, 1051 JL Amsterdam, The Netherlands

T. + 31 20 686 8111 F. + 31 20 686 6251E. info@rainfoundation.org

www.rainfoundation.org