Rainwater Harvesting in Fiji

Our project aims to address water security issues in the District of Dawasamu. We are supporting SDG 6 which is Clean Water and Sanitation.  There are two main focusses.

Indicator 6.4:  By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.

Indicator 6.b -  support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

Rain water harvesting has numerous benefits for communities in the long term. Collecting and storing rainwater during the wet season ensures a reliable water supply during the dry spells reducing vulnerability of communities due to water shortages. Access to water also supports hygiene proctices such as hand washing.

It is vital to have a process in place to ensure local ownership of rainwater harvesting projects. We start by assessing the needs in each village. Working with the community, we compare the population to the existing water storage capacity. This information is then used to calculate and compare the capacity deficits. We also examine the state of existing infrastructure to determine where repairs are needed. We can then support the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.

A crucial aspect of this program is to ensure the community is educated on how to effectively utilise and maintain harvesting systems. We have developed educational material to distribute to community members once the tank is installed.

The educational information  highlights the need for ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the tanks so they will be effective well into the future.  Well maintained systems means safe water that will benefit the whole community.The materials were developed to communicate the essential information in a format that makes it easy to understand. Community members can use the information to educate fellow community members.

Water is a precious resource and harvesting water benefits communities. Your support helps to improve water accessibility for many.We have been able to increase the overall water storage capacity in many villages across several districts in Fiji, which have included the Island of Moturiki. 

Thanks for your ongoing support. Your contributions can increase the number of rainwater tanks installed and ensure maintainace on the systems that are already installed. We look forward to updating you on our progress.