International Technical Training Course on Rainwater Harvesting and Utilization
July 19-August 31, 2004

As part of assisting program for the developing countries, the government of the People's Republic of China is going to fund an international training course on rainwater harvesting and utilization. Ministry of Commerce entrusts Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy to execute this course in Lanzhou city of Gansu province of China from July to August, 2004, with cooperation of International Rainwater Catchment Association, the course is oriented for candidates from the developing country in the World.

The course conducted from September 19-Octomber 22, 2003 was very successful, 40 participants from 19 countries attended the course

Supporting documents

Course announcement in MS word format (560 kb)

Course announcement in MS word format without pictures (250 kb)

Course Agenda (MS Word, 170kb)

Application form (MSWord, 44kb)

List of target countries (MS Excel, 16kb)

1. Training Objectives

The course is designed for professionals and management staffs who deals with water resources management, rainfed agriculture, rural development and poverty alleviation in developing country, through a systemic training on theoretic knowledge and practical technique, and field study visiting and practical exercising as well as learning successful experience of China on rainwater harvesting and utilization in past 20 years. It is expected that all of the participants of the course will understand the basic theory, designing skill, construction methodology of the rainwater harvesting system and the corresponding approach of agricultural cultivation. As results of the course, most of the trainees would have learned sufficient knowledge and be qualified to adopt the innovated technique on rainwater harvesting and utilization in their own country.

2. Training Scheme

The training course scheduled to be conducted from 15 July to 31August 2004.

3. Venue of the Course

The course will be held in Gansu province of China. It is planned that lecturing program will be taken place in the downtown of Lanzhou, and the field study, practice exercise will be done in projects sites of rainwater harvesting and utilization, in the middle and eastern part of Gansu province. Gansu is one of the most critical provinces on water resources in China, and it was a pioneer of China on researching and adopting of the innovated technology on rainwater utilization. Gansu is the leading province on rural rainwater harvesting. , It is regarded as a cradle of technology of rainwater harvesting and utilization in China, so as an ideal place for study on this subject.

4. Management of the Course

The authority of the course is Ministry of Commerce of P. R. China, The Ministry of Water Resources and Gansu Provincial Government supports the course in terms of training infrastructure and teaching facility etc. Gansu Provincial Water Resources Bureau is authorized to steer theoperation of the course, and Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy is entrusted to organize the course.

Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy (GRWC) is leading institution for technique on rainwater harvesting of the province and the engineering supporting agency for implementation. It has ever been involved in a number of national key projects related to rainwater harvesting and utilization, At present GRWC officiates the task of secretariat of the Committee of Rainwater Utilization (CRU) of China Hydraulic Engineering Society. International Rainwater Catchment System Association contributes the course with aiding on course design and lecturing etc. Rainwater Utilization Committee of China Hydraulic Engineering Society, FAO, India Rainwater Club, China Irrigation and Drainage Centre, Gansu Agricultural University as well as Gansu Academy of Agriculture Sciences will support the course for lecturing assistance.

5. Contents of the Course

5. 1: Lectures

5.1.1 Introduction

• The position of rainwater utilization in the Integrated Water Resources
  Management
• The significances of RWH
• Development of rainwater utilization and its prospect
• Components of rainwater harvesting project

5.1.2 Planning of RWH

• Basic data needed for planning
• Justifying the necessity of RWH projects
• Layout of RWH system
• Domestic water use and irrigation quota
• Reliability of domestic water supply and irrigation
• Determining area of rainwater collection field
• Determining storage capacity

5.1.3 Designing of rainwater collection sub-system

• Types of rainwater collection field and their designing
• Design of water interception and conveyance

5.1.4 Designing of water storage

• Types of water storage structure and their selection
• Dimensioning water storage structure
• Structural design of water storage

5.1.5 Subordinate facilities

• Water purification facility
• Water intake, output and drainage pipes
• Pump selection

5.1.6 RWH water quality management

• Introduction to the world and China water quality specification
• Quality issues in the collected rainwater
• Quality control measures

5.1.7 Runoff Agriculture

• Introduction on runoff agriculture
• Technique of runoff agriculture

5.1.8 Water-saving irrigation with RWH system

• Drip irrigation
• Seepage irrigation
• The other simplified methods

5.1.9 Agriculture measures associated with RWH irrigation

• Ploughing
• Mulching
• Fertilizing
• Chemical agents for moisture retention

5.1.10 Construction method for RWH structures

• Construction methods for main types of building materials
• Construction of rainwater collection field
• Construction of rainwater storage tank
• Construction of subordinate facilities

5.1.11 Operation and maintenance of RWH system

• Operation of RWH system
• Maintenance of RWH system

5.1.12 Economic evaluation of RWH system

• Introduction to the cost estimation methods in China
• National economic evaluation
• Financial evaluation

5.1.13 Political, social, legal and institutional consideration on RWH

• Effect of rainwater harvesting for sustainable water resources development in the semi-arid areas.
• Successful experiences on institutional, organizational, managerial and political aspects on RWH .
• Legal and cultural aspects of rainwater harvesting and utilization
• Chinese experiences on the research, demonstration and extension for the RWH project.
• Women's participation on rainwater harvesting and utilization

5. 2: Presentation and Seminar

1. Application of rainwater harvesting system on rebuilding ecologic and environment system.
2. Experience and technique on rainwater harvesting and utilization in island.
3. Application of RWH system for developing greenhouses.
4. Rainwater utilization in the urban area

5. 3: Field study tour and practical exercise

(1) Practical exercise

Field practice and construction exercise is programmed in the course for the contents of designing and construction of rainwater catchment and water storage tanks, the time scheduled on practice exercise is about two week.

(2) Field study tour

An abundance and interesting program for field study tour has been scheduled against to each of the key subjects of training contents, the schedule of study tour takes 15% of total training agenda.

6. Training Pattern

The pattern of the training program is an integration of theoretic lecture, seminar, discussion, workshop, demonstration, field study tour, practical exercise etc, adopting the participatory approach. The case study for practice exercise will take the local condition of the country where the participant comes from. Therefore, participants are required to prepare a paper concerning the rainwater utilization condition in their own country or region where they come from, and better have necessary hydrological and metrological information for case study.

7. Language

The lecturing language of the course is English, so the participant is required to be qualified on English proficiency in reading, listening, speaking and writing.

8. Certificate

Evaluation will be taken on the performance and achievements of the participant according to certain criteria. A certificate will be awarded to participant who has fulfilled the course successfully.

9. Criteria for admissions

The participants of the course would be professionals and managers who deal with water resources management, rainfed agriculture, rural development and/or poverty alleviation in developing country. Female applicant is encouraged. The participant should meet to the following criteria :

1. Has completed a diploma study on water conservancy, agronomy or other relevant disciplines.
2. Has two years of experience on water management, agricultural development or other relevant fields.
3. The age of applicant would be between 22-45.
4. Health condition is well and has no any infectious diseases.
5. When attending the course, no companion of family member is permitted.
6. Has to observe the Chinese law and regulation, and respect the local custom during stay of the training course in China
7. Willing to prepare a paper about rainwater utilization condition in your country, and take necessary meteorological and hydrological information for the case study on the course.

10. Expenses of the course

1. Chinese Government will take the cost including training cost, accommodation and daily pocket money at a ration 30 Yuan RMB per day. This money will be managed by Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy as a package.
2. For any other costs such as international travel cost including transit between home of participant to Lanzhou/China would be borne by the government of your country, or funding support from other relevant organization applied by the participants.
3. The insurance fee, cost of medical care and salary of participant etc. should be provided by the government of your country, which sends the participant for the course.
4. Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy will make arrangement for accommodation for participants during their stay on course. The participant will be accommodated in double room. If any participant needs a single room, he should pay for the additional money himself.

11. Applications and Admission Approval

1. Applicant will be nominated by the corresponding authority, the completed application form should bear the endorsement and recommendation by the concerned government agency and be submitted with attachment of a valid health certificate to the economic and commercial consul of the Chinese Embassy in your country for verification and endorsement. Then it will be transferred to Gansu Research Institute for Water conservancy for selection and approval.
2. The Chinese Embassy in your country will issue the Admission Notice to the accepted applicant through the concerned authority of the applicant's government. The participant is advised to take the Admission Notice as a proof for visa application and other necessary formalities to the Course.

12. Insurance

The course organizer will not take any responsibility for risk occurred on participant during your stay in China for course, which includes death, accident, illness and loss of property, etc.

13. Contacting agency

Economic and Commercial Consul of the Chinese Embassy in your country

14. Address of the organizer

Gansu Research Institute for Water Conservancy

120 Gaolan Road,
Lanzhou, Gansu Province, PC: 730030
People's Republic of China

Course Director: Ma Cheng Xiang
Tel: ++86 (0)931 8812463(O),++86 (0)931 8505562(H)
Fax:++86 (0)931 8812463/8883294
Mobile Phone: ++ 86 (0)13893354149
E-mail: irrigs@public.lz.gs.cn