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Research on "Small Scale Rainwater Harvesting for Combating Water Deprivation in a Peri-Urban Area of Lilongwe, Malawi" by Dr. Henry Raphael Mloza-Banda, Malawi
In many urban cities in Africa, rapid urbanization has resulted in the rapid growth of informal settlements or slums. These marginal areas of urban development are seldom provided with water and sanitation amenities. This is the case in high-density areas of Lilongwe where most of the low income labour force resides where water is purchased from kiosks that are filled from tanks drawn by tractors. This makes the supply of water erratic, inadequate and unsafe for human consumption.
In Malawi, despite its potential and the existing infrastructure, rainwater harvesting has not received adequate attention among policy makers, planners and water project engineers or managers. Rainwater harvesting is considered as competing with rather than supplementary to the conventional ground and surface water source. Yet, rainwater harvesting has been shown not only to improve the immediate water situation, but also to improve levels of hygiene, provide water at low costs, increase water security and develop employment opportunities and skills.
Of critical concern is the realization that there are vulnerable groups in these peri-urban areas that comprise of the disabled, female-headed households and the orphaned principally arising out of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Over and above their pursuit of daily sustenance, they have to contend with purchasing water, whose availability is erratic and if available either at the wrong time of their daily calendar or they have to physically struggle to access it. In this case, rainwater harvesting presents a pragmatic developmental plan for augmenting water resources to avert water deprivation for sustenance of livelihoods in these impoverished urban zones. It is on this basis that a study that will provide stewardship and a model in rooftop rainwater harvesting which represents an untapped strategic potential in peri-urban communities often not well served with municipal facilities.
This research will work directly with orphaned households affected by the HIV/AIDS scourge. In conjunction with the Rainwater Harvesting Project of the University of Malawi, the study aims to create a new culture of harnessing water resources that empowers the peri-urban beneficiaries by providing them with attitude change, knowledge and skills necessary to realise the development and investment potential they have, as well as the potential for rainwater harvesting to improve livelihoods.
This will be done by investigating and implementing best practices for rooftop rainwater harvesting technologies and systems for augmenting water resources to combat water deprivation. Ultimately, the project will provide a model that creates multiplier effects by working through community-based organizations and artisans, equipping them with the vision, resources, and skills to implement and scale-up rainwater harvesting.
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