A-PAD Revisits Rainwater Harvesting Tanks in Kayts
On the 21st of March 2022, the A-PAD SL team visited the island of Kayts located in the Administrative District of Jaffna and engaged in a monitoring of rainwater harvesting systems, which were installed in 2016. The initiation of this project was carried out in partnership with private sector partners, A-PAD Japan and Civic Force of Japan.
Six years later in 2022, the A-PAD team visited several houses where the rainwater harvesting systems were installed and found that all the systems were still in good working condition. The prolonged aridity of the peninsula results in the lack of water availability, access to it and most importantly, the possibility of storing water when provided. However, although the systems were installed in selected houses, its usage was being shared amongst the community, which was a heartening fact. After speaking to the beneficiaries themselves, it was understood that the tanks provided for harvesting had proven to be very effective.
Thus, considering the difficulty in acquiring water by other means, the beneficiaries were sincerely thankful to A-PAD for installing the rainwater harvesting systems, which they have now customized to store water in all capacities.
We, as A-PAD are glad to hear the positive outcomes of the rainwater harvesting initiative and to all partners who joined hands with us in reaching out to the communities, while empowering them to be resilient champions even during challenging times.
While speaking to a few beneficiaries, they mentioned the following:
“Thank you very much for visiting our homes during these difficult times. The tanks you gave us six years ago have been one of our biggest household strengths. Our children have water for consumption and do not have to complain of thirst. When the water bowsers come to our village, we are able to fill the whole tank at once, which gives us confidence for 25-30 days. Little did we know back then that a mere blue tank was going to change our lives for the better. During the height of COVID-19, we were able to share water with our neighbours who did not have access to water. This tank has been a big blessing and we will continue to use it carefully.”
– Resident of Melinchimunai West, Kayts, Jaffna –
“When the tank was given to my family, it was fixed along the gutter of my roof, for the benefit of collecting rain water. However, we get very little rain. Therefore, my son and I modified the tank in a way to be mobile so that when the water bowser comes, we are able to fill it up for daily use. The tank is very user-friendly, and we have been benefiting from it a lot. Due to the extreme heat, we moved the tank to be under tree shades, and this gives us fresh cooling water. We clean the tank often as it is a very valuable asset you have given to us. Thank you very much for the foresight many years ago.”
– Resident of Melinchimunai West, Kayts, Jaffna –
