You can click on an image to see a larger version!
See photos of RainCatcher in schools! The RainCatcher pilot project is working with six schools in the region - Al Ahliyyah College and Al Amari Girl's School from the Palestinian community; De LaSalle College and Guerea Um Al Mu'mineen School from the Jordanian community; and Ein Karem Agricultural School and Abu Gosh School from the Israeli community. Each of these schools have installed weather stations and are building rain harvesting systems and an infrastructure to utilize the rainwater collected. Did you know?
You can click on an image to see a larger version! |
Background
As part of the Middle East Peace Process, the Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources, Public Awareness and Water Conservation Project, is expanding its educational and community outreach with the launch of a new pilot project called RainCatcher. For more information on selected Peace Process projects, visit the web site www.exact-me.org. The RainCatcher pilot project draws upon the momentum and community ties established during the recently completed WaterCare Project. WaterCare was a project that resulted in the successful development of a student resource book on water in the Middle East designed to be used by middle school students in the region. RainCatcher brings together government representatives, school administrators, teachers, and students to teach, by example, the methods and value of rain harvesting at selected schools in Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian (Core Party) communities. RainCatcher is a pilot project that will provide students a chance to "learn by doing". It should increase awareness of rain harvesting as an important component in water conservation, and offer a unique opportunity for regional collaboration on water conservation issues. Students from the three Core Parties will help design and monitor a rain harvesting system designed specifically for their school, and will participate in various related assignments and experiments. The activity is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and is facilitated by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Israeli Water Commission, the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and the Palestinian Water Authority. What is rain harvesting?Rain harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainfall for later use, and its use is as old as civilization itself. Indeed, the survival of many ancient cultures, particularly those in arid climates, depended upon the ability to successfully "catch" rainwater. Rain harvesting systems range from simple rooftop designs in which captured water flows by gravity to a common, central cistern, to elaborate ancient systems of ditches and canals that drain captured rainwater to aqueducts and large underground community reservoirs Harvested rainfall has always been an important source of water - for domestic, irrigation, and livestock uses - in cultures throughout the world, and especially so in many relatively dry, densely populated areas of the Middle East. Although rain harvesting fell somewhat out of favor for a time as modern methods of securing water became available (large, man made reservoirs, mechanized pumps, equipment capable of drilling great depths efficiently, andmunicipal water supply systems), its value is being rediscovered as demands for additional water supplies continue to increase. The popularity of rain harvesting is gaining momentum once again for several reasons. Other sources of good quality water, such as ground water reserves and water from streams, rivers, and reservoirs, are dwindling as a result of population growth, changing lifestyles, and, in some cases, mismanagement. Moreover, rain harvesting is relatively inexpensive, sustainable because reserves are replenished naturally with each rainstorm, easy to implement, and a practical, common sense approach that makes wise use of a precious resource. With proper precautions and treatment procedures, rainwater may be used for drinking purposes. For these reasons many homes, businesses, and schools in the Middle East are harvesting rainwater. Is your home or school catching its rainwater? Who is participating?Participants in the RainCatcher pilot project include Core Party representatives, local technical experts in the field of rain harvesting, USGS scientists, and school administrators, teachers, and students from selected schools. The schools selected to participate will work together multilaterally to design and implement the concept of rain harvesting. In what types of activities will students participate?
Where can I go for more information?You can get more information by contacting: raincatcher@usgs.gov
|
Maintained by: WaterCare Support
Team
An activity of the Multilateral
Working Group on Water Resources
With
the proper storage facility, the rain falling on a 15 m x 15 m roof top
located in an area where the average annual rainfall is about 600 mm,
will yield about 135 m3 of water (135,000 liters), enough to supply water
in the house for two people for about one year! 
