10th International Rainwater Catchment Systems Conference
"Rainwater International 2001"
Mannheim, Germany - September 2001

Preface

August 2001

Dear Reader, dear Conference Participant:

The 10th International Conference on Rainwater Catchment Systems taking place in Mannheim, Germany between September 10-14, 2001 wants to build bridges:

• Bridges between rural and urban applications of rainwater harvesting 
• Bridges between rainwater harvesting experiences in industrialized and less industrialized countries 
• Bridges between agricultural and domestic applications of rainwater harvesting.

The participants and organizers of the previous International Rainwater Catchment Systems Conference (Petrolina, Brazil July,1999) expressed the wish to hold the next conference in Europe. Even though Europe has a leading position in using rainwater in households, institutions and industry, it has never before hosted an international rainwater catchment conference. This is a unique opportunity to make European knowledge and experience available and to assist in seeking new ways of co-operation and alliances. Therefore the conference is embedded in the overall event of International Rainwater Days, including a forum, rainwater harvesting in practice, a fair, exhibitions and excursions. All this will give us all a multi-faceted exposure to rainwater harvesting and its many possibilities and applications. Looking at the developments since the last conference in Brazil, we find an enormous increase in interest and implementation of rainwater harvesting systems worldwide! This is also reflected in the positive attention the conference has drawn. We are pleased about the number of contributions in the form of papers and posters, they give a first impression of what will be discussed during the conference!

We wish you all a fruitful time in Mannheim, good discussions, exchange of ideas and the opportunity and courage to form alliances and start new projects. May many solid bridges be built in Mannheim!

Ines Rieder and Hans Hartung
for IRCSA and the Organizing Team of the 10th IRCSA Conference