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Rainwater Harvesting
Description
Rainwater Harvesting Systems are a mix of building retrofits and installed structures, which collect rainwater and channel it into storage tanks. Effective systems for irrigating a half-acre farm can be established with as little as 15 m2 of surface area and 7,000 liters of storage. Storage cisterns are constructed with Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks, while conduits for water are constructed from locally available materials (usually PVC pipes, sheet metal, and/or taught tarpaulin).
Inside of a cistern constructed with ISSBs. The interior is finished with cement, and in some cases, lime base Tadelakt.
Use
Rainwater Harvesting Systems are used collect and conserve water. Harvesting systems assist applications in which it is desirable to manage fluctuations in precipitation throughout the year. These applications include providing water for irrigation, agricultural processing, washing, cooking, and in some cases, drinking. Typically, we promote Rainwater Harvesting amongst farming households, schools, community centers, and medical facilities.
Research
Research related to Rainwater Harvesting Systems takes place under crosscutting research partnerships, which develop Rainwater Harvesting Systems in tandem with Surface Water Retention Systems, Slow Sand Filters and ISSB technology applied to water collection and conservation infrastructure.
The brickworks we train to produce Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks are also trained in the construction of cisterns, used in the capture of collected rainwater. Farming households, schools and community facilities which use rainwater harvesters are trained to prepare collection surfaces, operate flow valves, maintain the cleanliness of the system, and to work around the systems in a safe manner.