5th International Conference on Rain Water Cistern Systems
"Rainwater Catchment for Future Generations"
Keelung, Taiwan, R.O.C. - August 1991

Section 6: Socioeconomic Aspects and Cost Analysis

Page 317

Opportunities For Rainwater Cistern Systems In Rural Economic Development

Donna J. Lee Ping Sun Leung Yu-Si Fok
Univ. of Hawaii, USA

Show Chyuan Chu
National Taiwan Ocean University Taiwan, ROC.

Abstract

Lack of sufficient supplies of safe drinking water plagues the development of rural communities. Selecting an appropriate system to supplement freshwater supplies depends on economic, social, and institutional components of the community. Rain water cistern systems are recognized as an effective, alternative means for providing safe drinking water to rural areas worldwide. Rural rainwater cistern systems are generally government initiated. Successful implementation, however, requires both community acceptance and community cooperation in the construction and use of the new systems. This paper examines the relationship between rural water supply systems and stages of economic development, and suggests opportunities for implementing rainwater cistern systems to meet rural development goals in Asian-Pacific countries.

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