Technologies

Wooden water reservoir for rain water harvesting. [Uganda]

Okutagila amizi aha ibati

technologies_3301 - Uganda

Completeness: 96%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

land user:

Kabanda Deo

Mubende, Mubende Municipality

Uganda

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) - Uganda

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

13/11/2017

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

Comments:

The reservoir is established out of natural and local materials available to community members and stores relatively clean/safe water for future use.

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

A gutter system constructed on the farmer’s house-roof collects rainwater and directs it into a constructed reservoir raised off the ground with interior walls lined with water-proof tarpaulin. The reservoir has a maximum capacity of 8,000 liters of water; clean enough for irrigation, livestock and domestic use during seasons of scarcity. The reservoir is raised off of ground to minimize contamination and any possible accidents.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The wooden water reservoir system was introduced to the farmer by staff of the area's local government as a demonstration site to educate others on how to cheaply harvest and store rainwater in a relatively clean form for domestic, livestock and irrigation use. The farmer’s house was fitted with gutters to tap rainwater and direct it into the water reservoir. The water collected is used to buffer the water scarcity during the dry season, which normally stresses livestock and crops in the area. The water can be stored for as long as three months, depending on the size of the water reservoir and the use of the water.

The establishment of the technology requires a clean roof for collecting rainwater, gutters, poles, iron sheets, tarpaulin, hose pipe, jerry can and nails. Further equipment required include; a hammer, hoe and panga (large knife for weeding and forest works). At the farm in Kyegegwa, the reservoir is constructed 3 meters away from the farmer’s main house located at the top of a gently sloping hill. The establishment process involves: leveling of the site on which the technology is planned and constructing a water reservoir supported by a wooden structure. The support structure is constructed using four poles made in such a way that the two front poles are taller (5m) while the two poles behind are shorter (3m). This will give the roof a slight slope to prevent rainwater from stagnating on the roof. A raised rectangular floor supported by the poles is then established at a height of 0.5m above ground. The rectangular reservoir base dimensions are 1m×4m×2m (h×l×w) and is divided into 4 compartment. Each of these, lined with water-tight tarpaulin, can hold 2000 litres of water. The water so collected in the reservoir can be extracted under gravity through a 1.5cm diameter hose pipe into a jerry can placed below the reservoir.

The cost of establishment and durability of this rainwater harvesting system is mainly dependent on the type of materials and gutters used. In Kyegegwa District, wood for construction of the system is locally available valued at US$ 67.99 for the construction of the reservoir system. The iron sheets, gutters and nails are acquired from Kyegegwa Town where they are valued at US$ 127.28. The labor required is also locally available where it takes four men to establish the structure at a total cost of US$ 17.95 in three days.

The water reservoir is semi-permanent and can last for about 1.5 years depending on the quality of materials used. The maintenance activities include cleaning of the reservoir every month and repairing of the worn out parts at the end of the wet season. The farmer strongly recommends the technology since most of the materials and labour used are relatively cheap and locally available. The reservoir is raised off the ground to reduce contamination and minimize possible accidents with children and livestock. Despite the open space above the water level and the roof, the farmer has observed that the reservoir does not breed obnoxious vectors like mosquitoes. The water collected is relatively clean and the farmer uses it for irrigation of home gardens and for watering of livestock. When properly filtered it is as well used for domestic purposes. The technology can be improved by using treated poles, stronger wood material and tarpaulin of improved quality.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

General remarks regarding photos:

The black and white view shows the water system including the house roof, improvised iron sheet gutters and water reservoir structure. The colored picture shows a hose pipe connected into the reservoir to deliver water into the plastic tank by forces of gravity

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Date:

13/11/2017

Location:

Kyeggegwa Town Council

Name of videographer:

Amon Aine

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

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Western

Further specification of location:

Kyeggegwa

Comments:

The project is located at the top of a gently sloping hill

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2015

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Local Government project to help local farmers adopting water storage systems for use during drought.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce risk of disasters
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
  • create beneficial economic impact

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

Settlements, infrastructure

Settlements, infrastructure

  • Settlements, buildings
Remarks:

The farmer's house roof top is used as the rain water catchment area.

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • mixed rainfed-irrigated
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

March-May and Sept-Nov. However, due to climate change, the seasons vary significantly in length and amount of rain recieved.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • water harvesting

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

structural measures

structural measures

  • S6: Walls, barriers, palisades, fences
  • S7: Water harvesting/ supply/ irrigation equipment

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
Comments:

To provide safe water for domestic, livestock and irrigation use especially during the drought period.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • adapt to land degradation
Comments:

Harvesting rain water reduces the need for constructing dams.

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Aine Amon

Date:

25/01/2018

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

The support structure is constructed using four poles made in such a way that the two front poles are taller (5 m) while the two poles behind are shorter (3 m), giving the roof a slight slope to prevent rainwater from stagnating on the roof. A raised rectangular floor supported by the poles is then established at a height of 0.5 m above ground. A cuboid reservoir of dimensions 1 m×4 m×2 m (h×l×w) is constructed with wooden panels; divided into four compartments and placed on the rectangular floor. Each compartment, to hold 2,000 liter of water, is lined with water-tight tarpaulin. Water from the reservoir can be extracted under gravity through a 1.5 cm diameter hose pipe into a jerry can placed below the reservoir.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology unit
Specify unit:

Water Reservior

Specify volume, length, etc. (if relevant):

Capacity 8000 liters, segregated into 4 compartments

other/ national currency (specify):

Uganda shillings

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

3638.35

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

20000

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Site selection Structural Before onset of rain
2. Clearing and leveling Structural Before onset of rain
3. Erection of poles Structural Before onset of rain
4. Establishment of floor, walls and roofing Structural Before onset of rain
5. Establishment of taupline and gutters Structural Before onset of rain

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Builders Man day 8.0 22500.0 180000.0 100.0
Equipment Hammer pieces 30000.0 1.0 30000.0 100.0
Equipment Panga pieces 9000.0 1.0 9000.0 100.0
Equipment Dibber pieces 15000.0 1.0 15000.0 100.0
Equipment Hoe pieces 10000.0 1.0 10000.0 100.0
Plant material Spade pieces 15000.0
Plant material Poles pieces 12.0 3000.0 36000.0 100.0
Plant material Timber pieces 12.0 10000.0 120000.0 100.0
Plant material Wood pieces 8.0 1500.0 12000.0 100.0
Construction material Tarpaulin peices 1.0 45000.0 45000.0
Construction material Iron sheet peices 6.0 25000.0 150000.0
Construction material Nails Kg 4.0 6000.0 24000.0
Construction material Hose pipe Meters 3.0 3000.0 9000.0
Construction material Wood and poles Pieces 50.0 4900.0 245000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 885000.0
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Kyegegwa District Local Government Community Development Fund.

Comments:

The poles and wood are from the farmer's forest. The labor used was also family labor.

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Cleaning the reservoir/ tarpaulin and unblocking gutters Management Twice in the wet season
2. Renovation of the structure Structural Once a year
3. Replacement of the taupline Structural Once a year

4.7 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 Men 2.0 20000.0 40000.0 100.0
Equipment Hose pipe meters 3.0 2000.0 6000.0 100.0
Equipment Jerrycans 20litres 2.0 9000.0 18000.0 100.0
Construction material Poles pieces 6.0 3000.0 18000.0 100.0
Construction material Timber pieces 6.0 10000.0 60000.0 100.0
Construction material Wood pieces 5.0 1500.0 7500.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 149500.0
If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

Kyegegwa District Local Government

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The nature of material used for example wood or metal and the labor hired to construct the system.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

The rain seasons run from March-May and Sept-Nov.

Agro-climatic zone
  • humid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

medium

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • men
Age of land users:
  • elderly

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • medium-scale

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

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased

crop quality

decreased
increased

fodder production

decreased
increased

fodder quality

decreased
increased

animal production

decreased
increased

wood production

decreased
increased

forest/ woodland quality

decreased
increased

non-wood forest production

decreased
increased

risk of production failure

increased
decreased

product diversity

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased

land management

hindered
simplified
Water availability and quality

drinking water availability

decreased
increased
Quantity after SLM:

80000 litres in storage by end of the wet season

drinking water quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The water stored in the tank is relatively clean compared to that harvested previously using the run off harvest system.

water availability for livestock

decreased
increased

water quality for livestock

decreased
increased

irrigation water availability

decreased
increased

irrigation water quality

decreased
increased
Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Costs on irrigation and income from extended growing seasons

farm income

decreased
increased

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased

economic disparities

increased
decreased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

health situation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

Improved nutrition since the irrigation water supports growth of vegetables

cultural opportunities

reduced
improved

recreational opportunities

reduced
improved

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved

surface runoff

increased
decreased

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Through irrigation in the dry season

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

The water facilitates dissolution of nutrients

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased

acidity

increased
reduced
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Vegetation cover

decreased
increased

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased

plant diversity

decreased
increased

invasive alien species

increased
reduced

animal diversity

decreased
increased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

drought impacts

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased

buffering/ filtering capacity

reduced
improved

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
extended growing period well
Livestock and domestic water well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • 1-10%
Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 50-90%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Yes

other (specify):

Limited finances

Specify adaptation of the Technology (design, material/ species, etc.):

The farmer improvised iron sheets as gutters to collect water from the roof into the reservoir.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Most of the materials are cheap and locally available.
The establishment process is not so complex and can easily be learnt by the local workers.
The tarpaulin used is relatively cheap and long lasting.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The farmer easily benefits from 2 annual rainy seasons.
The system is raised off ground which minimizes contamination and accidents.
The water is kept in a relatively clean status for livestock, irrigation and domestic use.

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
The water system is open to contamination. Need to construct a wall net to protect the water from contamination
The materials (wood) used are prone to destruction by insects which increases maintenance costs. Use of metallic or concrete poles
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
The taupline is a temporally reservoir that needs routine replacement. Use of plastic materials or construction of concrete walls.
In case of infestation with insects like termites, the poles will suffer damage. Use treated wood poles or metal poles.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

1

  • interviews with land users

1

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Rain Water Harvesting Handbook, Ministry of Water and Environment

Available from where? Costs?

https://www.mwe.go.ug/sites/default/files/library/Rain%20Water%20Harvesting%20Handbook.pdf

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Rainwater Reservoirs above Ground Structures for Roof Catchment

URL:

http://www.itacanet.org/doc-archive-eng/water/Rainwater_reservoirs_GTZ.pdf

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