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[Water for All News - February 2008] Rain, Rain, Come Again: Harvesting Rain to Fight Water Scarcity

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WATER FOR ALL NEWS

Issue 35, February 2008

Rain Rain, Come Again
Harvesting Rain to Fight Water Scarcity

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Online Version - http://adb.org/Documents/Periodicals/Water/2008/issue35-Feb08.asp
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People have collected rainwater to augment scarce water resources as far back as 6,000 years ago. From the simple rain barrel at the end of a downspout to the complex domestic potable system with filtering and disinfection, harvesting rain has not only provided safe drinking water to millions of families; it has also improved liquid waste management by lessening erosion, increased soil moisture levels for urban greenery, increased ground water table through artificial recharge, and more. This issue will focus on how individual households and entire communities made rainwater harvesting work for them.

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CHAMPION OF REFORM
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Qin Guoying on Practicing the One Plus Five Model for Rainwater Harvesting

Our project runs on donations,” says Guoying Qin, head of the Water Cellars for Mothers Project and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Women’s Development Foundation, “so our credibility and effectiveness are musts.” After raising over $47million in 7 years, the project’s partnership with public and private donors and the media have built more than 100,000 cellars and benefited 1.3 million people. Can they sustain the partnership to help more people in the coming years?

http://adb.org/Water/Champions/qin.asp

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FOCUS
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People’s Republic of China: Water Cellars Change Drought-Affected Communities’ Lifestyles

Costly, arduous, and time consuming. That’s how the women of drought-affected areas in the PRC described their daily task of fetching water from faraway sources. But thanks to good ideas, donations, bricks, and concrete, they now have enough water at their doorsteps. All it took was the construction of a water cellar that harvests and stores a year’s worth of drinking water, with some to spare for irrigation.

http://adb.org/water/actions/PRC/water-scarcity.asp

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India: 36 Roofs for 24/7 Water—Harvesting Rainfall in Badlapur

Kulgaon-Badlapur, among the faster growing towns in Mumbai, has taken the age-old tradition of rainwater harvesting to a whole new level. With rain gutters and pipes, the people connected the roofs of 36 apartment buildings to form a system for capturing and storing rainwater. Continuous water supply and the greening of Badlapur are only the start of the benefits. What’s next for this town now that they have tackled their water supply problem?

http://adb.org/Water/Actions/IND/Badlapur.asp

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Thailand: Promoting Rainwater Harvesting, Preserving Rainwater Jar Culture

An old solution to a modern problem? True, the 2000 year old Thai tradition of capturing rainfall into jars has seen an interesting revival in the northeastern part of the country in recent years. Production of these rain jars have increased, bringing additional income to households, and securing water for entire ommunities for the years to come. Will other countries pursuing similar endeavors achieve the same success?

http://adb.org/water/actions/THA/Jar-Culture.asp

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NEWS
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Bangladesh: Grant Targets Water Resource Management Improvements

Bangladesh is well-known for its water problems—floods, river erosion, and water shortages, and environmental degradation. “The situation worsens with inadequate water management infrastructure, limited participation by project beneficiaries, and weak  operation and maintenance funding,” said ADB’s Yasmin Siddiqi. Will ADB’s new US$600,000 grant help bring integrated water resources management to the country?

http://adb.org/Media/Articles/2008/12364-bangladeshi-waters-managements/default.asp

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WATER ACTIONS
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India: Access to Water, Access to Education

Two Bangalore slum communities have asserted their rights to water so that their children can attend school and secure a better future. One has already achieved some success; the other is still working on a solution. Will the concerted efforts of the public water utility, a nongovernment organization, and community women speed up the delivery of water and education to these neglected slums?

http://adb.org/Water/actions/ind/Access-to-Water-Access-to-Education.asp

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Pakistan: Drip Irrigation to Prevent Water Shortages

Agricultural scientists’ successful experiment with drip irrigation could save Pakistan volumes of water that would otherwise be wasted should they continue using traditional flood irrigation methods. But with impending water shortages, will the country’s government have enough time to replicate the pilot project on a nationwide scale? And can a local community initiative provide the model for other villages?

http://adb.org/Water/actions/pak/drip-irrigation.asp

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KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS
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Climate Change—ADB Programs: Strengthening Mitigation and Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific

Accelerating climate change poses danger to the future health, safety, and livelihoods of people world wide, and ADB stands ready to play a catalytic role in helping the Asia-Pacific region meet the challenges brought about by climate change. This new publication features ADB’s ongoing and emerging climate change mitigation and adaptation program.

http://adb.org/Documents/Brochures/Climate-Change/default.asp

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