A practical approach on sand dam site selection, design and construction. A tool for combining sand dams with other rainwater harvesting structures.
ERHA ; RAIN (n.y): Manual on Sand Dams in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa and Amsterdam: Ethiopian Rainwater Harvesting Association (ERHA) and Rainwater Harvesting Implementation Network (RAIN) URL [Accessed: 14.03.2019] PDF
This manual builds on the experience of VSF with subsurface dams in Kenya, explaining all phases from the initial assessment to the design of the dams based on the own lessons learned with this specific technique.
VSF (2006): SubSurface Dams: a simple, safe and affordable Technology for Pastoralists. A manual on SubSurface Dams Construction based on an Experience of Vétérinaires sans Frontières in Turkana District (Kenya). Brussels: Vétérinaires sans Frontières (VSF) URL [Accessed: 14.03.2019] PDF
This detailed technical report presents a large-scale project of a subsurface dam implemented in Burkina Faso.
MOE (2004): Model Project to combat Desertification. In Nare Village, Burkina Faso. (= Technical Report of the Subsurface Dam ). Tokyo: Ministry of the Environment (MOE) URL [Accessed: 14.03.2019] PDFIn this interview with TheWaterChannel Erik Nissen-Peter explains four different water harvesting techniques in a river bed which should be considered before the actual development: hand dug wells, subsurface dams, weirs and sand dams. Erik Nissen-Petersen tells about the advantages of subsurface dams compared to sand dams.
Master thesis showing scenarios of probable impacts, water flow and additional storage of a contour trench. It further includes recommendations on measurements, and how to attain the best result when implementing a contour trench.
PRAMANA, K.E.R. (2007): The Design of Contour Trenches in Vietnam. (= Master Thesis ). Delft: Delft University of Technology (TUDelft) URL [Accessed: 13.03.2019] PDF
Rainwater cisterns are indigenous underground water storage structures, widely used in the Matrouh area in north-western Egypt, in steppe areas in Syria and Jordan, and elsewhere. Little information is available on the design, construction and operation of traditional cisterns. Most available publications on water cisterns deal with rooftop water harvesting, using pre-fabricated materials. These cisterns are of very limited capacity (a few cubic meters) and are more expensive than underground cisterns. Most publications on rainwater harvesting are written for water professionals and researchers, not for local users and development practitioners. This publication responds to the needs expressed by water users, and especially ICARDA’s research and development partners. It will also be useful to policy makers responsible for water development in dry areas.
ALI, A., OWEIS, T., SALKINI, A.B. and EL-NAGGAR, S. (2009): Rainwater Cisterns. Traditional Technologies for Dry Areas. Aleppo: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) URL [Accessed: 13.03.2019] PDF
This paper is a review of simple water harvesting techniques, which have been tested and found useful in arid and semi-arid regions, and which might be suitable for use in other areas. The paper also tries to show some successful cases of application of water harvesting techniques in African countries, which have increased the overall productivity of smallholder farms and hence improved farmers’ livelihood.
IBRAIMO, N. MUNGUAMBE, P. (2007): Rainwater Harvesting Technologies for Small Scale Rainfed Agriculture in Arid and Semi-arid Areas. Maputo: University Eduardo Mondlane URL [Accessed: 13.03.2019] PDF
This handbook highlights the principles and technologies that can be used to harness the huge untapped potential of rainwater. Instead of a stereotyped view focusing only on rivers and groundwater, the book directs readers in recognising rain as the ultimate source of water for food production and other uses in rural economies across Africa.
MALESU, M.M. ; ODUOR, A.R. ; ODHIAMBO, O.J. (2007): Green Water Management Handbook. Rainwater Harvesting for Agricultural Production and Ecological Sustainability. Nairobi: The World Agroforestry Centre URL [Accessed: 13.03.2019] PDF
This handbook has been written to assist NGO and government staff responsible for implementing domestic roofwater harvesting systems or programmes. It can be used to design single roofwater harvesting systems. The handbook focuses primarily on low-cost DRWH in the ‘humid tropics’ (areas close to the Equator with average rainfall over 800 mm).
THOMAS, T.H. MARTINSON, D.B. (2007): Roofwater Harvesting: A Handbook for Practitioners. Delft: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre URL [Accessed: 12.03.2019] PDF
This document provides general guidance on the collection, care and storage of rainwater in domestic tanks. It is written especially for the Australian state, but is adaptable for other countries too.
ENHEALTH (2004): Guidance on the Use of Rainwater Tanks. Canberra: Environmental Health Committee (enHealth) URL [Accessed: 12.03.2019] PDF
The Blue Drop Series on Water Harvesting and Utilisation is divided into three and each one has a specific target group- policy makers, beneficiaries and capacity and implementing agencies. The publications give an overview of the concept of rainwater and have a focus on the legal and administrative framework for rainwater harvesting. Book 2: Beneficiaries & Capacity.
UN-HABITAT (2005): Rainwater Harvesting and Utilisation. Blue Drop Series, Book 2: Beneficiaries & Capacity. Nairobi: UN-Habitat URL [Accessed: 12.03.2019] PDF
