Abstract
There are socio-technological challenges towards extension of the application of rainwater harvesting (RWH) practices in developing countries. An attempt to address this was done using the Mnyundo Primary School, Tanzania, as a study area for evaluating the technical, economic, and social challenges of RWH practices. A storage water level monitoring gauge was used so as to simplify rainwater quantity control and utilization strategy. Basic quality control components such as first flush tank were incorporated so as to reduce the particle load flowing into the storage. Cost reduction strategies such as the one (1) company one (1) community campaign were applied to address the cost implication. To enhance ownership, participatory approach of the beneficiaries in all stages including planning, designing and implementation was adopted. In order to ensure project sustainability, training on how to operate and maintain were provided as well as a maintenance manual to impart a sense of ownership. For the challenges of imparting RWH practices in Tanzania, 19 solutions have been identified and they include provision of RWH manuals, guidelines and regulations, government incentives, and promotion of self-financing initiatives. For developing countries, the study proposes the following strategies: establishing relevant regulations and research centers, enhancing individual and community financial stability, conducting demonstration projects, and increased investment by government on promotion.
Highlights
Despite the geographical advantages that Tanzania has, an Eastern African country, recognized for abundant annual renewable water resources of approximately 89 km3 [1] and spatial distribution of the annual rainfall that ranges from less than 400 to higher than 2000 mm, various parts of the country still suffer from water shortages
By April 2015, 1862 rainwater harvesting (RWH) tanks had been built in 931 villages under the water sector development programme, which is about 9.2% of villages in Tanzania based on the 2009 statistic of 10,165 villages total in Tanzania mainland [2]
This study aims at: 1) improving sustainability of community based RWH systems; 2) identifying challenges of current RWH practices in Tanzania and suggesting solutions, and 3) recommending strategies to sustainably promote adoption of RWH practices in Tanzania and characteristically similar countries
Summary
Despite the geographical advantages that Tanzania has, an Eastern African country, recognized for abundant annual renewable water resources of approximately 89 km3 [1] and spatial distribution of the annual rainfall that ranges from less than 400 to higher than 2000 mm, various parts of the country still suffer from water shortages. Regardless of its many advantages, rainwater harvesting (RWH) is one of the least sought sources of water [3]. In a GIS based RWH potential study, [4] established that harvestable rainwater for the medium rainfall (400 1200 mm), high population (>100 persons/km2) rooftop domain ranges from 115.6 to 346.8 km (which generally displays high ability to meet daily water demand). RWH is a potential and sustainable alternative water source to solve water shortage problems, in developing countries [5] [6]. Rainwater quality may deteriorate depending on the type and conditions of collection, delivery, and storage facilities, several simple techniques exist for particle load reduction including use of screens, first flush tanks [8]-[11]. This study aims at: 1) improving sustainability of community based RWH systems; 2) identifying challenges of current RWH practices in Tanzania and suggesting solutions, and 3) recommending strategies to sustainably promote adoption of RWH practices in Tanzania and characteristically similar countries
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