KRA Signs IRHA Rainwater Harvesting Statement

To highlight the importance of rainwater harvesting on World Water Day 2011, the International Rainwater Harvesting Association (IRHA) published a comprehensive statement on rainwater harvesting and what needs to be done globally. Many committed NGOs and other stakeholders signed the statement which was then used as an advocacy tool on the day. KRA was one of the 45 signatories, proud to be associated with such a move towards increased recognition of rainwater harvesting.

The full statement can be read on the IRHA website or is pasted below for convenience:

JOINT RAINWATER HARVESTING STATEMENT

22 March 2011

The UN Human Rights Council affirms the human right to safe drinking water.[1] Now is the time for the world’s governments to contribute to the provision of a regular supply of safe, accessible and affordable drinking water in sufficient quantity for 884 million more people.

On World Water Day 2011, the undersigned organizations wish to strongly advocate for the use of rainwater: it must be considered as an important tool in efforts to minimize the water related problems that already exist.

• Rainwater is a valuable resource that is underutilized. Its capture and use can alleviate challenges related to potable, non-potable, storm water and energy.
• Local rainwater harvesting solutions enhance water security and provide important relief to households and communities. All around the world, rainwater infiltration, collection and storage offers benefits for the environment, wildlife and humans, and improves water availability for industry and agriculture.
• It is time for rainwater catchment to be included in the development plans of all governmental agencies as part of their integrated water resource management strategies.
• Introduction of the concept of rainwater management – maximizing rain’s benefits as a vital resource while minimizing potential rain hazards – to curricula of technical schools and universities will bring future benefits to urban planning, architectural and agricultural projects.

Signatories:

American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) www.arcsa.org

International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA) www.irha-h2o.org

International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (IRCSA) www.ircsa.org

Southern and Eastern Africa Rainwater Network (SearNet) http://worldagroforestry.org/projects/searnet

Ingénieurs du Monde www.ingenieursdumonde.org

Safe Water International www.safewaterintl.org

Consortium Across the Community to Harvest Water

University of Arizona www.arizona.edu

Watershed Organisation Trust www.wotr.org

Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd www.rainharvesting.com.au

INTEWA GmbH www.intewa.de

Association pour un environnement CONstruit VIvant et VErt www.convive.org

Rain for All www.rainforall.org

Integrated Rainwater Management Systems Project for the Ethiopian Highlands

Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association www.horttrades.com

Dundee UNESCO Centre, University of Dundee www.dundee.ac.uk/water

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association www.GardenMinnesota.com

NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation www.ngoforum.net

Rainwater Harvesting Implementation Network www.rainfoundation.org

Groupements pour la Promotion et l’Exploitation des Ressources de l’Environnement (GROPERE)

DEMON of ECOLOGY-AVGI

Kenya Rainwater Association www.gharainwater.org/kra_about.html

RainWater Cambodia

Combined Harvesters Ltd. www.combinedharvesters.co.uk

Watershed Management Group www.watershedmg.org

Ontario Parks Association http://www.ontarioparksassociation.memberlodge.com/

The Cabell Brand Center www.cabellbrandcenter.org

FAKT GmbH www.fakt-consult.de

RainWater Harvesting Ltd. www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk

Rainwater Services http://rainwaterservices.com

Conseil de gouvernance de l’eau des bassins versants de la rivière Saint-François www.cogesaf.qc.ca

Europe Rainwater Catchment Association www.rainwaterconference.org

Save Our Life – Ghana Foundation

LABARONNE-CITAF www.labaronne-citaf.fr

Network of Rural Women Producers Trinidad and Tobago http://ttnrwp.net/

Green Cross International http://www.gci.ch/

Oasis Aquatic Gardens www.oasisaquaticgardens-ky.net

Rainwater Club www.rainwaterclub.org

iMAP Africa www.imapafrica.com

LivingEducation www.livingeducation.org

Rainwater Collection Solutions, Inc ~ The Original Rainwater Pillow www.rainwaterpillow.com

IWA Rainwater Harvesting and Management Specialist Group

http://www.iwahq.org/Home/Networks/Specialist_groups/List_of_groups/Rainwater_Harvesting_and_Management/

The Brazilian Rainwater Catchment and Management Association www.abcmac.org.br/

Association d’Appui aux Activités de Santé Communautaire

Rural Women and Deprived Children’s Programme

[1] UNHRC Resolution A/HRC/15/L.14, September 30, 2010