Rainwater Harvesting Reservoirs

Turning Rainwater into a Sustainable Water Source for Rural Communities

For many people, accessing water for drinking when they are thirsty or for washing their hands is something they take for granted. However, this is an extremely difficult reality for millions of people around the world who suffer from water scarcity. Water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges facing our planet, and its consequences are already evident in drought, migration, and desertification.

Water supplies are extremely limited in areas located in the highlands of Ecuador's Andean Region. This directly affects the disappearance of plant species, as plants require significant amounts of water to grow. Without this essential resource, they dry out and eventually disappear.

This situation has also forced many people to relocate because, without access to this vital resource, they must seek places where water is easier to obtain.

Taking all these factors into consideration, we can examine the situation in the Guano Canton, in the Province of Chimborazo. The mountains that form part of the páramo ecosystem are known for their role as natural water storage areas and as an indirect water source for most of the rural population. This water comes from the accumulation of rainfall, springs, ice, and snow.

After studying the potential of rainwater harvesting, EcoSur Network, with the support of Deswos e.V., a German foundation with which we have maintained a long-standing partnership, developed rainwater reservoirs. These structures are built using ferrocement (welded wire mesh and cement). This material is practical and economical, and the reservoir capacity depends on the location, the number of beneficiaries, and the intended use of the water.

The reservoir or rainwater harvesting system operates through channels installed on elevated roofs. Water is then conveyed through a pipe into the reservoir. It is important to note that the reservoir is located at a higher elevation, allowing water to flow by gravity. Therefore, there is no need for electric pumps or fuel, resulting in substantial resource savings.

A reservoir has already been built in the community of Chingazo Alto. Its water is used for agricultural irrigation, benefiting crops such as lemons, strawberries, goldenberries, peaches, and blackberries, among others.

It is also used as a reserve water tank during periods of drought, collecting and storing water supplied through public irrigation systems and water trucks.

The use of rainwater storage reservoirs can help reduce the extraction of surface water and groundwater while increasing agricultural production through the development of new irrigated farming areas.

This initiative contributes to improving the economic and ecological habitat. Its objective is to create opportunities to improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities through the implementation of efficient, affordable, environmentally friendly, and socially sustainable technologies.

Prepared by: Teamwork, EcoSur Ecuador Foundation