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 NEWAH BSP Helvetas NRCS Asradec CREPA ActionAid CCF CREPA WaterAid Helvetas …. WaterAid ASE ERSHA AFD WACT BSP / Népal ERHA / Ethiopia Sénégal Mali WaterAid/Crepa Burkina Faso Other countries Africare Aide et Action.... …. Caritas Kaolack Africare NEF …. ARFA Helvetas CREPA APDC RAIN GRAT Alphalog

It RAINs in Ethiopia Before …………………………….. and after

Original situation –open surface ponds –contaminated by animals –lasts one month after rains –then: nearest well at 10 km –no financial mechanism After rainwater harvesting –3 closed tanks, total 150 m3 –clean water for 650 people –water committee –ration 4 liters/day/person lasting 2 months –located in the village –€ 0.09/week/family (per ~150 liter) –revenue used to buy water with tanker –two months buys refill of 3 tanks RAIN project in Ethiopia with ERHA

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 …

RESULTSEFFECTSIMPACTS 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 and beyond RAIN and beyond

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 Foundation c/o. Donker Curtiusstraat , 1051 JL Amsterdam, The Netherlands T F E.