Rainwater harvesting can be defined as the collection and storage of rainwater run-offfrom a variety of surfaces for domestic use or agricultural purposes. The investiga-tions described here are for the storage of rainwater for domestic purposes. This wateris collected mainly from roofs, and is sometimes referred to as ëblue waterí in contrastto ëgreen waterí, which is water that is utilized by living organisms (plants and ani-mals) for production.Awareness of the need for rainwater harvesting has been growing with the realiza-tion that in many areas existing water resources cannot meet the needs of an expand-ing population. The quality of existing water supplies is often poor and leads tocontinuing problems of water-borne diseases. In many areas there is little or no likeli-hood of a piped water supply becoming available. Therefore, roof-water harvestingwould appear to offer a feasible way of improving quality and availability.In Ethiopia it is estimated that out of the total population living in rural communi-ties, only 3ñ4% have access to a safe water supply. Diseases caused by poor sanitationand lack of hygiene in the home are a constant threat. In addition, much time andenergy is taken up with fetching water from distant sources. At least once every day,women, children, and in rare cases men, leave their homes carrying a variety of con-tainers to collect water for domestic use. During the long dry season and in the morearid areas individuals may travel as far as 10ñ15 km to fetch water. In Kenya it is notuncommon for girls to be withdrawn from school during dry periods to help with fetch-ing water.
{{menu_about_desc}}
Explore eventos futuros e passados em todo o mundo e online, sejam hospedados pelo CIFOR-ICRAF ou com a participação de nossos pesquisadores.
Découvrez les évènements passés et à venir dans le monde entier et en ligne, qu’ils soient organisés par le CIFOR-ICRAF ou auxquels participent nos chercheurs.
Jelajahi acara-acara mendatang dan yang telah lalu di lintas global dan daring, baik itu diselenggarakan oleh CIFOR-ICRAF atau dihadiri para peneliti kami.
Explore eventos futuros y pasados organizados por CIFOR-ICRAF o con la participación de nuestros investigadores.
{{menu_nowledge_desc}}.
{{menu_research_desc}}
{{menu_about_desc}}
CIFOR–ICRAF achieves science-driven impact. We conduct innovative research, strengthen partners’ capacity and actively engage in dialogue with all stakeholders, bringing the latest insights on forests, trees, landscapes and people to global decision making.
CIFOR–ICRAF publishes over 750 publications every year on agroforestry, forests and climate change, landscape restoration, rights, forest policy and much more – in multiple languages.
Explore upcoming and past events across the globe and online, whether hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF or attended by our researchers.
CIFOR–ICRAF addresses local challenges and opportunities while providing solutions to global problems for forests, landscapes, people and the planet.
We deliver actionable evidence and solutions to transform how land is used and how food is produced: conserving and restoring ecosystems, responding to the global climate, malnutrition, biodiversity and desertification crises. In short, improving people’s lives.
