Rainwater Collection Tanks

It is remarkable that despite modern technology and the impact of a multitude of projects, much of Africa is still trekking daily for water much of which is very poor quality. It is a fact that often it is these folk who lack reasonable education and job opportunities.

Consider the usual development route for water supplies:

  • Surface water; springs, streams, rivers and lakes.
  • Shallow ground water: wells.
  • Rainwater harvesting: roof to tank.
  • Deeper ground water: hand pumps and pumped boreholes.
  • Local piped water supply systems.

The tanks are constructed using a four part wooden mould that is positioned onto a prepared base, wrapped with polythene and wire mesh and then coated with layers of ferro cement to create the tank. The mould is then collapsed and removed to provide a strong 1500 litre rain water storage facility.

It is quite true that if a household in a poor area obtains an adequate water supply this enables them to have time for economic activity including growing crops in the dry season.

It is so often a step up the development ladder. Rainwater harvesting is a promising method and now that there are more buildings with metal or tile roofs the system is even more efficient.

TWAM has installed over 40 tanks in rural areas in Uganda and are now planning to start installations in Rwanda. The project uses labour from local communities to build and maintain these rainwater harvesting systems.