9th International Rainwater Catchment Systems Conference
"Rainwater Catchment: An Answer to the Water Scarcity of the Next Millennium."
Petrolina, Brazil - July 1999

Section 2: Wordwide Experiences of Rainwater Catchment Systems

Paper 2.6

Experiences Gained in the Development of Rainwater Catchment in Tanzania

Datius G. Rutashobya
Ministry of Water
P.O. Box 35066 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel.: 255 51 451463
Fax: 255 51 451457
E-mail: rutashobya.d@raha.com

As is the case in many African countries, rainwater catchment technologies have been used on a rudimentary level in Tanzania for a long time. Until recently, however, they have not made a significant impact in solving rural and urban water supply problems. Currently, various stakeholders are paying more attention to rainwater catchment as a means of supplementing the conventional water supply options such as piped water schemes, deep and shallow wells and springs. The shift in attitude among the decision makers has been influenced by the realization of the high potential of rainwater harvesting.

Over the past few years, efforts have been stepped up by the government as well as other organizations in developing rainwater harvesting systems throughout the country. The whole process started with awareness creation and sensitization on the importance and potential of rainwater harvesting technologies. Low cost demonstration rainwater harvesting cisterns are being constructed at strategic locations across country and people are being trained in the construction of low cost rainwater storage systems. Experience has shown that the demonstration tanks and other cisterns are playing a key role in sensitizing the people, who have responded by constructing rainwater catchment systems with their own resources

PDF of full document available to members (7pp, 110kb)