ROCKS AS AVENUE FOR WATER HARVESTING IN ARID AND SEMI ARID AREAS

 

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 pose 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 Arid and Semi-arid areas are 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.  Many ASAL areas are 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 blue 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. They provide both drinking and other household uses for the community for months. Rock catchment have very little maintenance cost, maintenance 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 which makes it more hygienic and cleaner. 

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 for commercial purposes i.e. rocks are grounded in to small pieces which are used for building purposes. People grind 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.