RAINWATER HARVESTING FOR WATER SUPPLY AND INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AND SEMI-URBAN AREAS

Authors: *Mohammed I.U, Ndahi A.K, Ahmed S.D, Hayatu J.M, Nwude M.O

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

The major challenges engineers are facing today is how to find ways and means of designing systems which use local technology for sustainable development and at the same time satisfies basic human needs. Despite new development paths in terms of water supply and sanitation being put in place that avoid the error(s) of the past, yet it is difficult to imagine how sustainable development in the rural areas will be if renewable fresh water in form of ground and surface waters are in short supply. This suggests that rainwater harvesting should be given priority attention and revived as a sustainable alternative for water supply as well as for integrated development. Rainwater quality is generally good and frequently meet WHO guidelines, which is perceived to be largely dependent on the type of roofing materials used and frequency of cleaning of the surface. Different possible users’ regimes which can suit different parts of the country were presented in this work, including the major structural components of rainwater system, planning and design approach of rainwater system, management, the potential effect and impact of the system. The various types of storage tanks and explanatory insight on storage tank construction, the materials needed and the cost implication for long and short term planning were also presented. The major external factor that could limit the use of rainwater harvesting on a large scale in rural and semi-urban areas in Nigeria is the use of traditional method of roofing (thatch). Therefore, for the system to be successful, there must be a shift from traditional method of roofing to the impervious materials-corrugated metal sheets, and where possible tiles.

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