Knowledge of measures to safeguard harvested rainwater quality in rural domestic households

Abstract

Given the possibility of waterborne diseases caused by inappropriate rainwater harvesting systems, a survey was conducted in Uganda to assess existing knowledge of both physical and non-physical measures that safeguard harvested rainwater. Households who had received rainwater tanks were assessed on issues related to harvested rainwater quality. The study shows that 84% of respondents were aware of various sources of rainwater contamination, but only 5% were aware that they needed to adjust use of rainwater, depending on whether they cleaned the tank or not. Most of the respondents were not aware that gutter cleaning was necessary to improve water quality. Indeed, as the water from the collection surface is channelled through gutters, a number of measures need to be taken to control the entry of contaminations and subsequent growth of pathogens in the tank, e.g. first flush diverts, installation of filters, chemical use and mesh cleaning. The majority, however, did not take adequate care of the gutters and this impacts on health and social livelihood. Overall, the findings emphasize the need to provide more information to households when installing water harvesting tanks to ensure that the harvested rainwater is of high quality.

A study of the bacteriological quality of roof-harvested rainwater and an evaluation of SODIS as a suitable treatment technology in rural Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Treatment methods recommended in the region included boiling and the use of chlorine tablets. However, households considered these methods too expensive to use, a finding also reported by Baguma et al [38] who carried out a study in the Luwero District, north of the Ugandan capital Previous studies have examined risks associated with the photodegradation of the plastic container material after prolonged use [39,44]. These studies reported no genotoxic risks associated with SODIS bottle use over periods of up to 6 months.…”

Safe water, household income and health challenges in Ugandan homes that harvest rainwater

“…Strategies to improve the adoption of water technologies, such as the use of local media, i.e., local radio and newspapers, have the advantage of increasing the flow of information in local languages about water quality and aid in the acquisition of knowledge (Baguma et al, 2010a;Sorenson et al, 2011). At the same time, encouragement from and participation in local water associations and the use of electronic information receivers, e.g., desktop computers and mobile devices/phones, could help to reach more communities easily (Geels, 2006;Timmer et al, 2007;Baguma et al, 2010a).…”

Water Management, Rainwater Harvesting and Predictive Variables in Rural Households

“…Most rural households income, however, is low and installation of RWH systems is unaffordable (Thomas and Martinson 2007). In Uganda, RWH is widely practised in most rural areas (Baguma et al 2009) and is supported by both government and donors promoting the practice.…”

“…At the some time, where interventions are made to improve public water supply, particularly in developing countries, they are marked by a poor record of sustainability (Davis et al 2008), especially as waterborne infectious diseases continue to create health risks (Baguma et al 2009;Suthar et al 2008;Doocy and Burnham 2006;Wright et al 2004;Pitkänen et al 2008). In the context of economies and livelihoods aspects, water-related problems continue to slow economic growth and perpetuate poverty (McGarvey et al 2008;United Nations 2006).…”