Stakeholder participation and capacity development during the implementation of rainwater harvesting pilot plants in central northern Namibia

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.