Description

Two thirds of Kenya is arid or semi-arid and therefore access to water is scarce. Fifty per cent of the population has no access to a safe or adequate supply of water. Women spend several hours each day collecting water from distant dams, sharing the water source with animals that drink from it and contaminate it.

Transcript

Using Rainwater Collecting Technologies in Kenya Kenya Correspondent: Even in the 2/3 of Kenya that is arid or semi arid there’s usually enough rainfall to meet people’s needs but most effort and expense is gone into schemes to draw the water after it is falling to earth. As its title gets away the Kenya Rainwater Association has an entirely different approach. John Mbugua (Kenya Rainwater Association): In Kenya more than 50% of our population have no access to safe and adequate water and that is why tendering what opposition was formed by a group of individuals and we just heard by Kenya government. Heavens Above Correspondent: Collecting rainwater is free but it requires good organization. It’s one reason why it is traditionally being regarded as a method of the last resort or 1.6 to less development but always changing fast as rich countries such as Australia and Japan take up rainwater collect and their finding an organization such as the Kenya rainwater association and leading the way in technological innovation. Roots provide the most common and least expensive way of harvesting rain corrugated iron, plastic or tiles are all good surfaces for –roots maybe equally suitable it is essential that the gutters are fitted properly there should be angled with a gentle slope leading into the tank. In Kenya the rainwater harvesting Association decided to work with women as they were already organized into groups and have no need to have the benefits explain to them. There is no single model for the household tank used to store the rainwater. In the countryside when money and manufactured are scarce the determining factor is the availability of cheap materials. A solid foundation is essential so check before building that the site is free of ant-hills, latrines or tree stumps. Then, draw a circle on the ground with a radius 15 cm longer than the external radius of the tank. The foundation must be sealed with concrete within24 hours or there is a danger of leaks and cracks. The tank walls should be round as these are stronger than rectangular walls. A roof is necessary to stop evaporation and prevent the water from becoming dirty. Correspondent: Today there are more than 300 women’s groups involved in rainwater harvesting in Kenya and the technology is now being transferred to neighboring Uganda.