Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Improving water security through rainwater harvesting: a case from Guatemala and the potential for expanding coverage

2015; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 32; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/07900627.2015.1104499

1360-0648

Laureen Elgert, Patricia Austin, Katherine Rose Picchione,

Urban Stormwater Management Solutions

Municipal infrastructure for water supply and delivery often does not reach populations in rural and peri-urban areas. This article examines rainwater harvesting as a means of increasing water security in such areas, through the case of Guachtuq, a peri-urban community outside San Cristóbal, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. The project team designed a rainwater harvesting system to improve three dimensions of water security: quantity, quality and access. The design was implemented for 12 households and evaluated for its contribution to water security and for the potential of expanding project coverage to the region and beyond. The system has improved water security. Several concerns remain, however, regarding the potential of expanding the project to other households in the region and beyond, including system cost, water quality and the individualization of public responsibility for water security.