Integrated Water Resource Management: Rethinking the Contribution of Rainwater Harvesting

Zhe Huang, Esther Laurentine Nya, Mohammad Azizur Rahman, Tulinave Burton Mwamila, Viet Cao, Willis Gwenzi and Chicgoua Noubactep
Additional contact information
Zhe Huang: School of Law, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
Esther Laurentine Nya: Faculty of Art, Letter and Social Sciences, University of Maroua, Maroua P.O. Box 644, Cameroon
Mohammad Azizur Rahman: Technovative Solutions, Manchester Science Park, Manchester M15 6JJ, UK
Tulinave Burton Mwamila: Department of Water Supply and Irrigation Engineering, Water Institute, Dar es Salaam P.O. Box 35059, Tanzania
Viet Cao: Faculty of Natural Sciences, Hung Vuong University, Phu Tho 35120, Vietnam
Willis Gwenzi: Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, Mt. Pleasant, Harare P.O. Box MP167, Zimbabwe
Chicgoua Noubactep: Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CeMIS), Universität Göttingen, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-9

Abstract: Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is generally perceived as a promising cost-effective alternative water resource for potable and non-potable uses (water augmentation) and for reducing flood risks. The performance of RWH systems has been evaluated for various purposes over the past few decades. These systems certainly provide economic, environmental, and technological benefits of water uses. However, regarding RWH just as an effective alternative water supply to deal with the water scarcity is a mistake. The present communication advocates for a systematic RWH and partial infiltration wherever and whenever rain falls. By doing so, the detrimental effects of flooding are reduced, groundwater is recharged, water for agriculture and livestock is stored, and conventional water sources are saved. In other words, RWH should be at the heart of water management worldwide. The realization of this goal is easy even under low-resource situations, as infiltration pits and small dams can be constructed with local skills and materials.

Keywords: infiltration pits; Kilimanjaro concept; rainwater harvesting; storage tank; water management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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