RainWater Cambodia Information

If you could give up one restaurant meal a year for 10 years and in return give a family fresh water, would you? It costs approximately $150US to build a rainwater harvesting system in Cambodia and gives families safe water. How would this change life?

Why Rainwater? What About Water Wells?
Groundwater all over Cambodia is naturally contaminated with arsenic; arsenic causes cancer, respiratory disease, slows cognitive abilities, hearing loss to children, etc. The wells that have been developed by NGOs from around the world are now unsafe to the people. Because of their desperation for water, the local people still use the contaminated wells and in some places the nearest water well access is 10 km. Since watershed planning takes 5-10 years, there is a need for immediate solutions to polluted water - rainwater is one.

What does this organization do?
Rainwater Cambodia is a grass root organization and addresses the problem that only 74% of rural families have access to safe drinking water and that 92% lack access to sanitation. Rainwater harvesting is the most feasible method to provide Cambodians with clean water. Farmers are hit the hardest with the impacts of drought - similar situations are occurring here in Alberta. In Cambodia, hundreds have been forced to work in the city, barely making enough money to feed themselves and their children. The significance of only $150US offers a drastic difference in the lives of many Cambodians.

What They Need?
One of the obstacles for RainWater Cambodia is the funding. They require the construction of a large enough rooftop (10m square zinc sheeting), 20 concrete rings, a flush system and enough hands to eliminate labor costs. The materials cost about $130US and another $50US if the family needs a larger roof - the cost may vary 35% between provinces. If the town was dry for a full year, a single harvest tank will hold enough clean water (5000L) for a household of five people and the tank would sustain them for the full year. Here, in Canada, we domestically use on average 350L per person per day – wasting most of our water in showers/baths (34%), toilets (30%), and Laundry (24%) using only 15% for cleaning and kitchen use. United Nations states that the average water consumption required for drinking and sanitation is about 20-40L per person per day.

My Involvement?
I am funding my way to Cambodia to work with rainwater harvesting and learn about their water (pH and Dissolved Oxygen). Our deteriorating fresh water is caused by industry, agriculture and over consumption. Our first step in change is to educate one another by ways of conservation and innovation of new ways like rainwater harvesting and irrigation.
Since the only effective method of change is by regenerating watershed systems by increasing the partnership between land and water, the research and education needs to start now. The change is long term and so patience and individual efforts are required. In Alberta, there are hundreds of NGOs, governing bodies, and private sectors dedicating time and funding to implement these changes. In Cambodia, NGOs seem to be on their own, however, with the unity of people from around the world, we can create positive change together.