4 benefits and ideal uses of rainwater that Zambians could adopt | WestMac Media

By Winston Muleba JR 

Rain is regarded as a blessing to farmers and it is highly valued. However, to none farmers and those who do not know its importance, it is useless. 

Read also: 10 best ways to avoid trouble with snakes on your farm and how to avoid close contact with them.

Nevertheless, its obvious that people with good sight have noticed how plants appear greener and brighter after a good rain. It’s not just because the dust and dirt get washed off. 

Scientific reports indicate that rainwater is a clean, salt-free source of water that contains many beneficial ingredients for plants. 

Most Zambians may not think its possible to get enough rainwater from the rooftop of a typical home. A simple rooftop can collect more than 400 gallons from ½-inch of rain, making water harvesting well worth the effort. 

In Zambia, it is no secret that water utilities across the country cannot meet consumers demand. But it is suffice to state that these institution are striving to make water more accessible to vulnerable and water-scarce rural communities across the country. 

A lot of old and recent surveys in Zambia have revealed that more than 60 percent of the families collects rainwater in precarious conditions and drink it without purifying it first. This has led to many children falling ill.

But of late, many people have embraced new systems; rainwater is now collected and stored in cisterns made of concrete. The water is then pumped to a tank and chlorinated through several filters. The purified water is then ready for human use: to be bottled and supplied to the communities in particular. 

With minimal economic investment, rain harvest can guarantee access to safe drinking water and improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities. 

Rainwater harvesting is simple as directing runoff to basins around plants or collecting it in a rain barrel, or more complex systems may include gutters, storage tanks, pumps, and a delivery system. The practice could be done at different levels - domestic and agricultural use, which are referred to as the blue and green water use respectively. Otherwise, rainwater is good for more than just keeping grass green. 

Zambia Rainwater Harvesting Association (ZRHA) records that traditionally, rainwater is harvested either directly in an open bucket or indirectly through shallow wells dug along the riverbanks mainly for domestic purposes. Unlike in the past when only male oriented projects on rainwater where organized, the need to include women who are indeed the main users of domestic water has been identified. 

And a study on 'potential of rainwater harvesting in urban Zambia' indicates that rainwater harvesting was not new to Zambia and there had been installations which were mainly confined to rural areas. Laboratory analysis of water samples from one such system showed that the water was suitable for drinking purposes. Two peri-urban areas of Lusaka were selected mainly based on the water stress in the areas. The socio-cultural survey conducted in the two areas indicated that water ranked among the top two priorities by the Residential Development Committee (RDC). 

As you maybe aware, rainwater is 'free' and although climate changes and changing weather patterns may effect its regularity and intensity it should be part of the solution to water scarcity in future. It is cleaner than most other sources and its use is only limited by our imagination. 

But why should Zambians catch rainwater and what should they do with it once it has been caught? 

Among other benefits of rainwater harvesting for those whose communities allow them to collect it, the practice offers a number of environmental and economic benefits including:- 

1. Water bills reduction. The practice provide an alternative supply during water restrictions and help maintain a green, healthy garden. In fact, depending upon tank size and climate, rainwater harvesting can reduce mains water use by 100%. 

2. For starters, harvesting rainwater helps control storm-water runoff, which reduces the risk of erosion in gardens and around downspouts, minimizes the impact on local storm-water infrastructure and combined sewer systems, and helps reduce the threat of flooding. 

3. Rainwater harvesting helps environmental and human infrastructure cope with large amounts of rain (and save municipalities money), but it also puts that water to good use. Stored rainwater could be used for both outdoor and indoor uses, including landscape irrigation, watering plants or gardens, toilet flushing, laundry, washing cars or patio furniture, and even bathing or drinking (although using rainwater for drinking requires treatment prior to use). 

4. Another great benefit of rainwater harvesting is it decentralizes the water supply. That means instead of being completely dependent on municipal sources, consumers who choose to harvest rainwater have more control over how their water is sourced, treated, and put to use. 

Rainwater’s many uses can help people save money on utility bills, especially because the water is practically free (minus the cost of the collection system). The roof of a 1,000-square-foot house can collect around 600 gallons per one inch of rain that’s enough free water to fill more than 15 bathtubs! Additionally, some communities offer rebates or reduced fees to home owners who practice rainwater harvesting. 

In fact, some people are motivated to install rainwater-harvesting systems for the sole purpose of having a private, protected source of water in case of emergency or if the municipal water supply becomes contaminated. 

The ideal uses of rainwater that Zambians could adopt include:- 

1. Irrigating lawns 

Zambians should be prepared, any upcoming dry spells by turning to rain barrel for water to irrigate lawn. Naturally, rainwater is an easy choice for watering outdoor plants or lawns. Harvesting rainwater for irrigation is growing in popularity in regions that face droughts. Rain barrels with hose attachments can be used to spray water from directly. 

2. Washing cars 

In regions not fraught with smog or pollution, rainwater is generally soft and considered good for washing. That goes for cars as well. If it's not raining and one owns a rain barrel, its important to scoop a pan of fresh rainwater so s to avoid waste when washing cars. Obviously, this technique works just as well for motorcycles, bicycles and other modes of transportation. 

3. Flushing toilets 

Using rainwater to flush the toilet is a big project and a major investment, but it could lead to long term savings for the planet as well as the bank account. Most rainwater-toilet systems require some type of rain barrel elevated at least a floor above the toilet with an outlet attached to the toilet's supply line. This will offset the waste of processed water used to flush toilets, which makes up 25 percent of domestic water. A 50-100 gallon barrel will typically provide over 50 flushes. 

4. Drinking it 

Rainwater could be drank or fed to livestock and pets. However, it is recommended that it is filtered and/or boiled first to eliminate pollutants, soil, plant parts, insect parts, bacteria, algae, and sometimes radioactive materials washed out by rain. There are several commercial options for filtering rainwater, including portable devices. If one plan to store rainwater for drinking, its good to be sure that storage unit is secure and clean. Iodine and liquid chlorine bleach can be used to keep stored rainwater safe for drinking. 

Meanwhile, Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) recently called for proper utilisation of rain water.

ZAWAFE Chairperson Imasiku Nyambe observed that water harvesting in Zambia has not been fully exploited. 

Speaking to ZANIS in an exclusive interview, Professor Nyambe said with prudent management of rain water, Zambia’s food security could be enhanced both at household and national level. 

He explained that the harvested water could be used in the dry season for irrigating crops at household and commercial level. 

Prof. Nyambe noted that water harvesting is critical in mitigating effects of climate change. 

He said Zambians at household level should take full advantage of the favourable rains the country is receiving by engaging in water harvesting. 

Prof Nyambe pointed out that the country’s food security will be more secure if both rain water and harvested water is utilised prudently. 

At National level, Prof Nyambe said dams should be constructed that could be used to store rain water which can later be used for other purposes during the dry spell. 

He stressed that there is need to take a leaf from countries like South Africa that have been hard hit by climate change.

Prof Nyambe said Zambia should up its efforts in the management of water resources.

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About the Author: 

Winston Muleba Junior is a Researcher, Citizen Journalist, Aquaculturist, Writer and Disaster Management Practitioner who uses media and ICT to promote environmental conservation; science, technology and innovation. He gravitates towards environment: water, aquaculture, land, climate change and agriculture as he is skilled at juxtaposing the latest research and expert opinion with the everyday lives and struggles of people on the ground. Email: mwenyamuleba@gmail.com