This paper summarises the lessons learned during the planning and construction of four rainwater harvesting (RWH) pilot plants in the village of Epyeshona (400 inhabitants) in central northern Namibia. The main problem of the region is that the water demand of its population exceeds the local natural resources. The rainfall in the project region is extremely variable (50–990 mm per year), evaporation rates are high, perennial rivers do not exist, and groundwater aquifers are saline due to low soil permeability and high evaporation. The project's activities were prepared and accompanied by stakeholder participation and capacity development. The village community chose the techniques and pilot sites in several participatory workshops. Three roof catchment systems with differing tank designs (polyethylene, ferrocement, and concrete bricks) for individual households and a concrete-lined ground catchment facility for six households were built. The collected water is supposed to be used for horticulture. Hence, gardening plots and drip irrigation systems were created. Selected trainees were trained to build, operate and maintain the RWH systems and gardens. Finally, the pilot plants were monitored and evaluated to examine their social and technological feasibility.
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Research Article|
July 01 2012
Stakeholder participation and capacity development during the implementation of rainwater harvesting pilot plants in central northern Namibia Available to Purchase
M. Zimmermann;
1Technische Universität Darmstadt, Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water Supply and Groundwater Protection, Petersenstr. 13, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
E-mail: [email protected]
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A. Jokisch;
A. Jokisch
1Technische Universität Darmstadt, Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water Supply and Groundwater Protection, Petersenstr. 13, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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J. Deffner;
J. Deffner
1Technische Universität Darmstadt, Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water Supply and Groundwater Protection, Petersenstr. 13, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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M. Brenda;
M. Brenda
1Technische Universität Darmstadt, Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water Supply and Groundwater Protection, Petersenstr. 13, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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W. Urban
W. Urban
1Technische Universität Darmstadt, Department of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water Supply and Groundwater Protection, Petersenstr. 13, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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Water Supply (2012) 12 (4): 540–548.
Article history
Received:
December 25 2011
Accepted:
March 19 2012
Citation
M. Zimmermann, A. Jokisch, J. Deffner, M. Brenda, W. Urban; Stakeholder participation and capacity development during the implementation of rainwater harvesting pilot plants in central northern Namibia. Water Supply 1 July 2012; 12 (4): 540–548. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2012.024
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