Rainwater harvesting for water security

GWP Caribbean developed a rooftop rainwater harvesting system as a way to address water security in rural communities.

Rain water is collected in a tank. A system of pipes diverts the first flush of dirty water and carries the rest of the water through filters to a storage tank. To popularise the system GWP Caribbean built a model which can be dismantled and shipped to various events, along with advocacy materials (posters and leaflets) explaining how it works. Interpretative panels provide technical and practical information on rainwater harvesting, and on health and safety. The model is already popular – it received an award at the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association 2010 Annual Conference and Exhibition – and will make the rounds of the region for community demonstrations in 2011.