space
About UNEP UNEP offices News centre Publications Calendar Awards Milestones UNEP Store
space
space
United Nations Environment Programme
Division of Technology, Industry and Economics
 top image
  space
space space space
  UNEP>DTIE>IETC space
space

Newsletter and Technical Publications

<Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augumentation in Africa>

2.1.10 Use of Palm Petioles for Rainwater Harvesting

Technical Description

A suitable tree is planted in the homestead grounds. Suitable trees usually have broad leaves which collect rainwater which is channelled to a collecting pot (Figure 36).

Figure 36

Figure 36. Various methods of collecting rainwater using trees, leaves and plant materials.

Extent of Use

This technology is used in Nigeria.

Operation and Maintenance

The technology has very limited maintenance requirements. Level of Involvement The technology is usually used by individual households.

Costs

Costs are negligible, and, depending on the type of tree used, may result in a net profit to the householder.

Effectiveness of the Technology

The effectiveness of this technology depends on the effectiveness of the collecting channel. There are often significant losses resulting from spillage and other leaks within the system.

Suitability

The technology is suitable for collecting small volumes of water at the household level.

Environmental Benefits

Use of this technology promotes the growing and maintenance of trees. It may encourage the propagation of indigenous vegetation.

 

Advantages

It is a low cost technology that does not require extensive knowledge to construct or complex equipment to operate.

Disadvantages

Large volumes of water cannot be collected using this technology. Also, the water may be contaminated with dust, insects and bird droppings as well as plant material.

Cultural Acceptability

The technology is culturally accepted in those areas where it is practised.

Information Sources

United Nations University, Institute for Natural Resources in Africa, ISSER Building Complex, Nasia Road, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Back

 Table of ContentsTable of Contents Next

 
  • Major Projects
  • DEBRI Project
  • DEBRI Project
  • Iraqi Marshlands Project
  • Iraqi Marshlands Project
  • IETC's Tools
  • Environmentally Sound Technology Information System
  • ESTIS facilitates creation and management of websites on the Internet, sharing and searching of information across multiple ESTIS websites, publishing of information by non-web designers and decentralized management of content.
  • WiseWater
  • WiseWater is a spreadsheet application for projecting reductions in Water Consumption Patterns after application of Environmentally Sound Technologies. It is included as part of the publication "Every Drop Counts: Environmentally Sound Technologies for Urban and Domestic Water Use Efficiency".
  • Pamolare
  • PAMOLARE is an environmental modelling tool to forecast the changes in water quality leading to the eutrophication of Lakes and Reservoirs.
    The versatility of PAMOLARE allows for its use in decision making process as well as for training purposes.