Water is life since all aspects of life are dependent
on water. Water availability is important to any development to take place.
Different eco zones have different water availability arising from different
climatic conditions. Water safety is determined by the methods of collecting
and storage, some pollutants enter water while at collection points while
others at storage levels. Water pollution and contamination posses healthy
threats to consumers and thus its key to ensure that water purity and safety
remains a priority for any water harvesting venture lest water can become a
curse in disguise. To achieve water per capita we should conserve our
environment by not cutting down trees, by not cultivating along the river banks
and by so doing we will be conserving our water sources.
WATER HARVESTING USING THE ROCKS
There are different ways of
harvesting water. The most common ways of harvesting water in Ukambani shallow
wells, farm ponds, earth dams, boreholes, surface run off harvesting and roof
catchments however Rock catchment harvesting is an opportunity which has hardly
been explored by different partners. Ukambani
area is generally hilly with large rocks creating extensive barriers to viable
economic ventures. This makes the rocks to be termed more as curses rather than
blessings. However these rocks can become source of Ukambani Gold, source of
life, source of water. To harvest water from the rocks, gutter like concrete
thin wall is constructed to surround the rock then water is directed in a
particular reserve which can be a water tank, water pond, earth dam or
agricultural farm. Rain water running off a rock surface is gravitated to a
reservoir by long lines of garlands made of rocks mortared on to the rock surface.
Once the water has been harvested it is then subjected to different water
treatments processes or used in the same state depending on the water use
options available for the users. In Kitui south constituency the technology has
been in practice and has provided water for domestic and agricultural use for
years. In Kaweli Sub location of Mutomo location the water harvested from
Kaseva rock catchment provide both drinking and other household uses for the
community for months. Rock catchment have very little maintenance cost,
maintainance of rock catchments includes cleaning the catchments and its
reservoir before rainy seasons and to replace water taps.
CHALLENGES FACING ROCK CATCHMENTS
Though there is a risk of water
evaporation especially in an open water reservoir the benefits are more thus
making rock catchments more economically
There is still the risk of
contaminations although not much as compared to the other rainwater collecting
methods. This is because small rain showers falling on large rocks can provide huge
volumes of run-off water which is collected. Water collected through the use of
the rocks is less contaminated and if there is any contamination the suns UV
rays will sterilize most contaminants. The problem of water evaporation may be
curbed by roofing the catchments with Ferro cement which makes it more hygienic
and clean.
CONCLUSION
Rocks not only provide a means of
water harvesting but are also a source of other useful uses in our community. Rocks
beatify our environment thus providing beautiful scenery which is a tourist
attraction site which is another gain which can be tapped from the rocks. Rocks
are used in Ukambani for commercial purposes i.e. rocks are grounded in to
small pieces which are used for building purposes. People ground the rocks and
then sell them so as to earn a living. Rocks should be seen as blessing with
variety of unexplored benefits and not curse and obstacle to investments.
By
Muendo Nyamu
Project officer Inades Formation
Kenya
www.andrewnyamuconservation.blogspot.co.ke
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