Rainwater Harvesting

According to the EPA, rainwater harvesting has significant potential to provide environmental and economic benefits by reducing stormwater runoff and conserving potable water. Resources available in this sub-theme include training materials on rainwater roof catchments and guidance on how to design ground level storage tanks, among other resources that support the practice of rainwater harvesting.

Rainwater Harvesting Resources

The State of Rainwater Harvesting in the U.S.

Publication date:
October 1, 2008
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Harvesting rainwater offers many advantages: It conserves municipal and well water; it is free; gravity fed systems conserve energy; it is low in salts and good for plants; and it can reduce flooding and erosion. Rainwater provides an excellent primary, supplementary, or alternative source of water...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States
North America

Urban Waterways Rainwater Harvesting: Guidance for Homeowners

Publication date:
June 1, 2008
The National Institutes for Water Resources
Although rainwater harvesting has been practiced for thousands of years, recent concerns over water supplies and the environment have prompted many homeowners to consider using rainwater harvesting systems. While advanced systems are available from consultants and vendors, a homeowner can construct...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States
North America

Project Design and Extension Training in Cement Stave Rainwater Cistern Construction in Togo: Volume 1

Publication date:
February 1, 1986
U.S. Agency for International Development
This report, which was prepared for the USAID Mission to Togo, is divided into two volumes. Volume I describes the development and implementation of two training workshops on cement stave cistern and hangar construction. Volume II, in French, comprises a trainer's guide to the Campagne Citerne...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Togo
Sub-Saharan Africa

Training Workshop on Rainwater Roof Catchment, San Julian, Bolivia

Publication date:
January 1, 1986
U.S. Agency for International Development
USAID/Bolivia asked WASH to assist them in conducting a workshop on rainwater catchment. Chapters 1 and 2 of this report describe the background to the workshop and the pre-workshop arrangements. Chapter 3 discusses the progress of the workshop in San Julian, and Chapter 4 contains a general...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Bolivia
Latin America and the Caribbean

A Workshop Design for Rainwater Roof Catchment Systems

Publication date:
June 1, 1984
U.S. Agency for International Development
The following training guide provides systematic skill development for training local project promoters in the steps and techniques necessary for a project in rainwater roof catchment systems. It provides training in setting up systems intended for either dry or wet areas. The guide is a response...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States
North America

Preliminary Planning for Rural Water Supply Alternatives in Zaire

Publication date:
June 1, 1983
U.S. Agency for International Development
WASH involvement with rural water projects in Zaire began when Dr. Isely of the WASH Project developed recommendations for increased spring capping and rain water catchment activities. Three consultancies have resulted to address the needs of USAID, SANRU-86, and Peace Corps/Zaire: training was the...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Congo, Dem. Rep.
Sub-Saharan Africa

Test Training Manuals for Rainwater Roof Catchment and Spring Capping Systems in Workshops for Togolese Development Agents

Publication date:
June 1, 1983
U.S. Agency for International Development
A consultant conducted in-country workshops to train Togolese Social Development Agents in the installation and management of rainwater harvesting and spring capping systems and to test the training materials themselves. The most important products of the consultancy, according to this report,...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Togo
Sub-Saharan Africa

Dependable Precipitation and Potential Yields for Senegal: a Practical Guide for Rain fed Agriculture

Publication date:
May 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
A substantial potential exists for improving rain fed agriculture in Senegal. Thus concludes this study, which analyzes the relationships among precipitation levels, growing season lengths, and potential agricultural yield in that country. The study begins by determining monthly dependable...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Senegal
Sub-Saharan Africa

Bamboo-Reinforced Concrete Rainwater Collection Tanks

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
The Community-Based Appropriate Technology and Development Services (CBATDS) program has registered significant successes in the introduction and wider dissemination of technologies to provide potable water to villages in semi-arid drought-prone Northeaster Thailand. The year pilot project...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Thailand
East Asia and Pacific

Designing Roof Catchments

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note discusses a roof catchment to take advantage of the maximum amount of rainfall available.Read more

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