1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

People in Need (PIN) (People in Need (PIN)) - Afghanistan

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

HELVETAS (Swiss Intercooperation)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Stone masonry reservoir linked with roof rain water through a pipe scheme to provide safe drinking/low cost water supply in the remote areas.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Kishendeh district is extremely mountainous with low precipitation and with a shortage of water storage facilities. Underground reservoirs, called kandas, traditionally serve as water storage, catching rain water over the two/three wet months of the year for use throughout the rest of the year. The kandas tend to run out of water before the next rains come, and tend to be positioned very far away from villages in difficult to reach spots. Alika village, where this technology is implemented, suffers from the scarcity and unavailability of irrigation, livestock and even safe drinking water. Scarcity of water during the summer season makes the lives of the community members more difficult and results in their immigration from the village in the past.

Purpose of the Technology: To ease water shortage in the target community, in addition to the introduction of drought-resistant crops and soil and water conservation techniques, People in Need (PIN) has applied roof rain water harvesting technology in Alika elementary school, Alika village, Chakana cluster. The site where this technology has been applied belongs to the state. The water use right is common and poor families that do not have access to kandas are given priority for using this reservoir. The school and households near the school use this water for drinking and washing.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The project started in October, 2014 and was completed in April, 2015. For the establishment of the roof rain water harvesting technology the following inputs were used:

360 square meter tin was used to cover the roof. The pipe system is 45 meters in total. Three inch PVC pipes as well as elbows and T-joints were used. The water reservoir’s dimension of 0.80x0.50 m stone masonry foundation and 0.60x1.50x24.4 m wall; The dry stone masonry is 30cm wide; the surface of the reservoir, reinforced concrete (RCC) is 15cm wide. The reservoir was plastered with water proofing. The roof of the reservoir was constructed using wooden sketch covered with hard plastic material.

141 person/day were required for accomplishing this project. The establishment cost was 5,296$. The total value of community contribution is 7,500 Afghani/145 US$. Excavation by community members of a 50 m3 area is valued at 20,000 Afghani/385 US$. Thus the total community contribution is 10% of the total costs.

The head master of the school assumes the responsibility for maintenance. The reservoir needs to be cleaned five times a year, this is a low cost exercise. In the rainfall season it needs to be done once a month. Cleaning can be done by one person. The estimated cost for the maintenance is 500 Afghani or 10 US$ and is fully contributed by the community members.

Natural / human environment: Balkh province has a semi-arid climate and receives about 280 mm rainfall per year. The main economic activities are agriculture and livestock. The community members of the Kishendeh district have a low access to health services, employment, roads and transport and to drinking water and sanitation. Lack and scarcity of water in this village has caused many internal displacements as well.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

The project started in October, 2014 and was completed in April, 2015.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• access to water

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Scarcity of drinking water for human and livestock consumption and as well as unavailability of irrigation water for the home gardening. Loss of roof rain water, Soil erosion, Occurrence of flash floods and environmental pollution

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Carrying water from distant places by donkeys is very time consuming and a burden on families.

Constraints of settlement / urban: no constraints

Number of growing seasons per year: 1
Longest growing period in days: 150; Longest growing period from month to month: February till end of June

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• water harvesting

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Hg: change in groundwater / aquifer level

Main causes of degradation: disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts), population pressure

Secondary causes of degradation: poverty / wealth

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation
• restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

Comments:

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Excavation of the foundationConstruction of the reservoirExtending pipes from roof coverage to the reservoir

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Excavation of the foundation Construction of the reservoir	persons/day	141.0	5.0	705.0	10.0
Equipment	Tools and pipes	ha	1.0	344.0	344.0
Construction material	Cement	bags	1.0	376.0	376.0
Construction material	Stone	m3	159.575	24.25818	3871.0	10.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					5296.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					5296.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 7 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Cleaning of the reservoir (5 times a year)	5 times a year

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Cleaning of the reservoir	persons/day	1.0	50.0	50.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					50.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					50.0

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labor, cement and stone are the main factors affecting the total cost. After couple of years as well pipes may require to be changed.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is low

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is low

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly disadvantaged land users

Difference in the involvement of women and men: In Afghanistan the constructional and heavy physical activities which are done outside of the houses are mainly done by men.

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

Relative level of wealth: rich, average, poor

5% of the land users are rich.
55% of the land users are average wealthy.
40% of the land users are poor.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• state

Land use rights:

• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	well
local windstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

	How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period	not known

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

Once roof rain water harvesting project is implemented and constructed in a place, It will not need much recurrent costs.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

24 households covering 10 percent of stated area

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

Comments:

24 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: The land users has not implemented the technology with the same specifications but has implemented it with using their own available local materials.

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Provides low cost safe drinking water to the community members (Alika school and HHs who lives near the reservoir free of charge). Further more it provides irrigation water for the kitchen gardens in some extent. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Safe drinking water can be easily available during the winter season but during the three months of summer the water should be carefully used only for drinking.
Requires minimum maintenance when constructed properly. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Pipe scheme, roof coverage area of the reservoir, should be cleaned, if any leakages occurs in the pipes or reservoir , they should be sealed.
Application of the technology has provided the chance of having leisure time for the families. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Families and community members should use the water effectively.
Roof rain water harvesting technology has supported the community members, economically. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Community members should take active participation in the maintenance of the reservoirs.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
This technology is difficult to be applied without external financial support.	Adoption of local materials should be promoted and as well as reservoirs be properly cleaned after the heavy rainfalls.
Technical knowledge is required for the application of this technology.	The technical knowledge should be transferred to the extension workers or local people to provide technical support in the future.
During the drought season with no rain fall enough water cannot be harvested inside the reservoir.	Water can be transferred to this reservoir through water tanks from other villages.
Social conflicts can occur during the distribution of water.	Meetings and awareness sharing events should be held. Water in keeper can be introduced by CDCs for the distribution of water.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information