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

Section 10: Country Reports and Future Outlooks

Page 699

Rainwater Harvesting As Supplemental Source For The Traditional And Modern Water Supplies For Forming Families In Malawi

Alfred B. Osunsanya,
Meteorological Department, Malawi

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting simply means collecting rain water in some suitable reservoirs.

To achieve this simple phenomenon a systematic process has to be followed. This involves provision of an ideal surface area, referred: to as catchment-area ` and the receiving tank or reservoir referred to as cistern.

The family rainwater harvesting system is expected to provide water for all their needs, drinking, cooking -washing, irrigation etc. But there are several limiting factors that regulate the volume of water collected. The natural factors are the potential- annual rainfall and the duration of the dry season. The adjustable factors are the collection surface (roof) area or catchment area and the cistern capacity. The most important limiting factor is the FUND.

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