RWC Rainwater Harvesting System

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1,500.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

This product is implemented by RWC

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Warka Water Tower.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product is manufactured in-country with local and imported parts. The product is not mass-produced and relies on funding from stakeholders. Gutters of approximately 8 x 5 m are installed on the house. The foundation for which the collection "Jumbo Jars" is to be placed is leveled and reinforced with stones and concrete. The Jars are created by placing clay on a steel frame. This is left to dry for two days then coated in cement. The clay is then removed. Piping is connected to jars and gutters.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Areas within the target regions are scoped for appropriateness for implementation. RWC, Cambodian Rural Development Team, and Engineers Without Borders work together with the community to select beneficiaries.  This selection process for users to acquire the product depends on the target area's performance and the type of beneficiaries in need of the product. Target area performance conditions include a needed space of 5 x 8 m and a roof that can harvest rainwater. The selected conditions for beneficiaries might include users living in hard to access water source (river, pond, well), poor and vulnerable group, elder/disability people, users that have high responsibility on operation and maintenance, users with a clean record, women as a family leader, users that could contribute some material (sand, gravel, labor), and users not living in a flood-prone area.

Distributions to Date Status

Since the establishment in 2004, it is estimated that over 400,000 people have access to drinking water through rainwater harvesting. This is based on installments of systems in over 2,800 households and over 290 institutions. There have been 8 installations of this particular product since 2017. Interview with representative.

Design Specifications

The rainwater harvesting system consists of a collection system, and a storage and distribution system. The collection system components include roof, guttering, first-flush diversion system, and PVC piping. The storage and distribution system consists of 8 tanks of 3000 L capacity, PVC piping, and taps. Both taps contain screens to reduce contaminants entering the system. There is also a first-flush system between the guttering and the pipes leading to the tanks. The tanks are connected by underground pipes, 34 x 8 x 4 cm. There are drains located at either end of the foundation, one for wastewater and another for general use. Concrete caps sit atop the Jars.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Technical support is provided by RainWater Cambodia. Manuals for use and maintenance accompany the product on point of purchase, additionally, local masons contact details are provided.

Replacement Components

Replaceable components include screens, taps, and valves.

Lifecycle

10-15 years

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

No specified performance targets. Interview with representative

Vetted Performance Status

Testing to be conducted in late 2020. Interview with representative

Safety

Collection gutters must be kept free of debris to ensure the system is able to function. Correct maintenance and cleaning of screens are necessary for the system to function correctly.

Complementary Technical Systems

Water harvested from the rainwater system can be further treated by the use of secondary filtration technology such as ceramic filters.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

None

Evaluation methods

Testing and evaluation to be undertaken in late 2020, no evaluation methods currently used. interview with representative

Other Information

RainWater Cambodia regularly updates their Facebook page with current project developments.