Rain Rain, Come Again
Harvesting Rain to Fight Water Scarcity
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People have collected rainwater to augment scarce water resources as far back as 6,000 years ago. From the simple rain barrel at the end of a downspout to the complex domestic potable system with filtering and disinfection, harvesting rain has not only provided safe drinking water to millions of families; it has also improved liquid waste management by lessening erosion, increased soil moisture levels for urban greenery, increased ground water table through artificial recharge, and more. This issue will focus on how individual households and entire communities made rainwater harvesting work for them.
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Qin Guoying on Practicing the One Plus Five Model for Rainwater Harvesting
Our project runs on donations,” says Guoying Qin, head of the Water Cellars for Mothers Project and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Women’s Development Foundation, “so our credibility and effectiveness are musts.” After raising over $47million in 7 years, the project’s partnership with public and private donors and the media have built more than 100,000 cellars and benefited 1.3 million people. Can they sustain the partnership to help more people in the coming years? |
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People’s Republic of China: Water Cellars Change Drought-Affected Communities' Lifestyles
Costly, arduous, and time consuming. That’s how the women of drought-affected areas in the PRC described their daily task of fetching water from faraway sources. But thanks to good ideas, donations, bricks, and concrete, they now have enough water at their doorsteps. All it took was the construction of a water cellar that harvests and stores a year’s worth of drinking water, with some to spare for irrigation. |
India: 36 Roofs for 24/7 Water—Harvesting Rainfall in Badlapur
Kulgaon-Badlapur, among the faster growing towns in Mumbai, has taken the age-old tradition of rainwater harvesting to a whole new level. With rain gutters and pipes, the people connected the roofs of 36 apartment buildings to form a system for capturing and storing rainwater. Continuous water supply and the greening of Badlapur are only the start of the benefits. What’s next for this town now that they have tackled their water supply problem? |
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Thailand: Promoting Rainwater Harvesting, Preserving Rainwater Jar Culture
An old solution to a modern problem? True, the 2000 year old Thai tradition of capturing rainfall into jars has seen an interesting revival in the northeastern part of the country in recent years. Production of these rain jars have increased, bringing additional income to households, and securing water for entire communities for the years to come. Will other countries pursuing similar endeavors achieve the same success?
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| News |
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 Small Grants to Boost Basin Management in Philippines, Thailand
ADB has approved funding for two small water projects worth about US$50,000 each. One will test technologies for reducing mercury contamination in the Philippines’ Meycauayan river system; the other will improve management of Thailand’s Yom river basin. Financed under ADB’s Pilot and Demonstration Activities (PDA) program, these projects will contribute to better management of the region’s water resources. Apply for a PDA now. |
 River Basin Organizations to Discuss Setting Up IWRM Knowledge Hub
Indonesia's initiative to set up a regional knowledge hub for river basin organizations and management will be discussed at the 3rd general meeting of the Network of Asian River Basin Organizations. Performance benchmarking, peer review, water rights, river restoration, and climate change are also on the agenda.
The meeting will be held on 22-22 February in Solo, Indonesia and hosted by the Bengawan Solo River Basin Organization. |
China, People’s Republic of: Kunming City to Secure Safe Water Supply for the Future
Kunming City’s rapid economic expansion is endangering the future of its water resources—expected to be fully utilized by 2010 due to increased commercial and industrial demands. “The planning and development of new water resources has not kept pace with rapid population and economic growth,” said ADB’s Maria Theresa Villareal. Can an ADB US$80M project help secure the city’s critical water requirements beyond 2010? |
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 Bangladesh: ADB, Partners Fund Recovery from Water Disasters
ADB and donor partners are extending about $190M in assistance to water disaster-prone Bangladesh. "ADB’s Emergency Disaster Damage Rehabilitation Project," said ADB’s Stefan Ekelund, “will contribute to sustainable economic growth by minimizing the devastating impact of the severe floods and cyclone that hit the country last year, and at the same time reduce future risk from similar catastrophes.” |
 Bangladesh: Dhaka Gets $202.5M to Improve Water Supply
Better health conditions and sustainable economic growth—these are the visions of a US$202.5M ADB loan for improving water supply services in Bangladesh’s capital city of Dhaka. The first phase of a long-term support program for reforms in the urban water supply sector, the loan will help achieve sustainable and improved operation of the city’s water supply services. |
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Bangladesh: Grant Targets Water Resource Management Improvements
Bangladesh is well-known for its water problems—floods, river erosion, and water shortages, and environmental degradation. “The situation worsens with inadequate water management infrastructure, limited participation by project beneficiaries, and weak operation and maintenance funding,” said ADB’s Yasmin Siddiqi. Will ADB’s new US$600,000 grant help bring integrated water resources management to the country? |
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Timor-Leste: ADB Grant Helps Dili Get Better Access to Safe Water
Dili’s population is growing rapidly, but water services in this Timor-Leste capital have only been partly rehabilitated since massive destruction in 1999. A US$6 million grant from ADB will help provide good quality water 24 hours a day to Dili households, businesses, and institutions. ADB’s Charles Andrews said, “More reliable, safe water supplies will reduce health costs and improve the productivity of beneficiary families.” |
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| Water Actions |
 India: Access to Water, Access to Education
Two Bangalore slum communities have asserted their rights to water so that their children can attend school and secure a better future. One has already achieved some success; the other is still working on a solution. Will the concerted efforts of the public water utility, a nongovernment organization, and community women speed up the delivery of water and education to these neglected slums? |
 Pakistan: Drip Irrigation to Prevent Water Shortages
Agricultural scientists’ successful experiment with drip irrigation could save Pakistan volumes of water that would otherwise be wasted should they continue using traditional flood irrigation methods. But with impending water shortages, will the country’s government have enough time to replicate the pilot project on a nationwide scale? And can a local community initiative provide the model for other villages? |
 Climate Change—ADB Programs: Strengthening Mitigation and Adaptation in Asia and the Pacific
Accelerating climate change poses danger to the future health, safety, and livelihoods of people world wide, and ADB stands ready to play a catalytic role in helping the Asia-Pacific region meet the challenges brought about by climate change. This new publication features ADB’s ongoing and emerging climate change mitigation and adaptation program. |
 Hydropower Development in India: A Sector Assessment
India's vast hydropower potential can contribute to the country's energy security in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. Hydropower projects also contribute to irrigation, flood control, and river navigation, among others. This report provides an assessment of the hydropower development potential in India and highlights how water can provide power for all by 2012. |
| 6-8 February |
3rd International Conference on Water Quality Management
(Nagpur, India)
Will address water quality problems by examining issues affecting various water quality parameters and applying of modern technologies such as remote sensing and geographic information system. |
| 17-22 February |
11th International Symposium on the Interactions between Sediments and Water (Esperance, Australia)
Will explore current understanding of sediment-water interactions, at micro- and catchment-scales, and compare the impacts of short-lived events such as a tsunami with long-term drivers such as climate change. |
| 20-22 February |
Network of Asian River Basin Organizations 3rd General Meeting and Workshop (Solo, Indonesia)
Will feature a field visit to the Bengawan Solo River Basin, workshops on IWRM-related topics, and discussions of an IWRM Knowledge Hub in Asia. |
| 10-11 March |
ASIA 2008—2nd International Symposium on Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia (Danang, Viet Nam)
Will focus on technologies towards safe and economic schemes and address challenges in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. |
| 19-22 March |
International Groundwater Conference: Groundwater Dynamics and Climate Change (Jaipur, India)
Will look into ways of sustaining groundwater resources and present recent technological and scientific developments associated with groundwater dynamics. |
| 22 March |
World Water Day: International Year of Sanitation (Stockholm, Sweden)
Will address concerns on the slow and insufficient progress made in achieving the global sanitation target, and call for active commitments and actions to achieve sanitation for all. |
| 31 March-3 April |
2nd International Salinity Forum: Salinity, Water and Society—Global Issues and Local Action (Adelaide, Australia)
Will provide a forum for translating scientific knowledge about salinity into sound policy, management, and on-ground actions. |
| We need your feedback |
- What did you think of this issue?
- Our next theme is innovations in sanitation. Can you suggest ongoing or completed country-based reforms that we can feature?
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