Climate & Environment
Rainwater Harvesting
Definition
Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater from catchment surfaces — rooftops, paved areas or land catchments — for productive use, including domestic supply, irrigation, livestock, groundwater recharge and flood attenuation. Systems range from simple roof tanks and rain barrels to check dams, contour bunds and sand dams that capture runoff at landscape scale.
References
Source imported for editorial provenance.
This reference provides supporting context for how “Rainwater Harvesting” is defined and used.
Overview
How it is used
The practice features in building codes (mandatory harvesting in some jurisdictions), watershed development programmes (notably in India and East Africa), climate adaptation planning and sustainable drainage design.
Why it matters
Rainwater harvesting is decentralised, low-cost adaptation: it directly addresses water scarcity and flood risk at the scales where they are felt.