Journal 1

A Review of Portable Rainwater Catchment Development in Papua New Guinea.

By Steve Layton

Introduction
The provision of a good clean water supply to every rural village is something that the Government of
Papua New Guinea would clearly like to achieve, and while there are a number of note worthy projects
the majority of rural families are not going to have access to a clean water supply in the foreseeable future.

While accurate data is not available, UNICEF estimates that only 17% of the total rural population has
access to good clean water supplies (based on the work of ATprojects (see foot note 1), we feel that this
figure is closer to between 5 and 10%), and the remaining more than 2.5m people are still waiting for a
water supply.

Given the nature of the problem and the lack of funding to address the infrastructure needs of a nation wide programme aimed at constructing all the rural water supply projects needed, the options available to rural villagers are limited. Given this situation ATprojects believes that it is important that projects that develop, promote and generally support water supply options should be encouraged.

1.

This picture shows a ATprojects catchment at Gimisave Village, in the Daulo District of EHP.

This catchment is one of two tested by ATprojects.

Family Health and Rural Improvement Program
ATprojects first become interested in "family" size rainfall catchment projects following a visit by two staff members of Family Health and Rural Improvement Program (FH&RIP), a project based in the Tari District of the Southern Highlands Province.

Following this first meeting it was agreed that FH&RIP would join ATprojects and other rural development organisations in setting up a large booth at the 1998 Goroka Show (a world famous cultural event). At the show FH&RIP staff, constructed and demonstrated a low cost rain water catchment unit (see pictures below) that they were promoting in the Tari District, the unit uses only locally available materials except the internal liner of the water tank.

2.
3.

While the unit works, there were some technical problems and these included:
1. To kept the cost as low as possible (and also use materials that were available in the Southern Highlands Province) a low grade tarpaulin is used as the catchment. This type of tarpaulin is not UV resistant and after a period of between 6 to 9 months it starts to"flake" and disintegrate. While the tarpaulin can always be replaced, the flakes of tarpaulin (which were almost transparent) are washed into the water storage tank during the disintegrating process.

2. The internal liner of the water tank is imported from Australia and has to be purchased in large quantities, (FH&RIP was assisted in this regard by the operators of the large gold mine at Porgera, Enga Province) and this limits possible duplication of the catchments.

3. Also the tap that is fitted to the internal liner is plastic and long term tests on its use need to be carried out. Apart from the technical issues, the question of "real" cost was something that ATprojects was interested in looking into. While FH&RIP quoted the cost of the unit as approximately K60 to K70 (in 1998), this only applies to the materials used in each unit. ATprojects does not have access to the operational reports of FH&RIP, however based on our experience in carrying out rural based projects we have produced the following costing.

Materials (use in a 12 months period):
(a) Construction K80.00

(b) Replacement Tarpaulin K16.00

(c) Extension Officers Salary K60.00 (K200.00 fn/10 days x 3 days)

Transportation:
(d) Collection of Materials K4.80

(e) Materials to Project Site K2.00

(f) Extension Officer to Project Site/Return K3.00

(g) General Operational Overheads (3 days) K33.00

Total: K198.80

Notes ..........
(a) Construction Materials: based on current prices in Goroka, EHP.

(b) Materials Replacement: Tarpaulin: as (a)

(d) Collection of Materials: Given that it would be cheaper to purchase large quantities of materials it is likely that a vehicle would be needed, given that the current average cost of running and replacing a vehicle (e.g., Hilux) is approximately K21,000 per year and that the number of normal working days is 220, the average daily cost of a vehicle would be K96.00. If, say materials for 10 unit were collected in a morning, the cost of collect would be K4.80, (50% of K96.00/10).

(e) Materials to Project Site: Given the high cost of vehicle hire or use, to keep costs as low as possible local PMV's (Public Transport) would be used.

(f) Extension Officer to Project Site/Return: as (e)

(g) General Operational Overheads: As ATprojects have no access to the operational reports of FH&RIP we can only draw from our experience in the area, and we believe that approximately K11.00 per day would cover these costs given a staffing level of 12 people. Given the above costing data, the cost of constructing and maintaining this unit over a five year period (assuming that once constructed, the rural user purchases replacement tarpaulins and carries out the required maintenance) would be:

Year 1
Construction K182.80
Replacement Tarpaulin x 1 K16.00

Year 2
Replacement Tarpaulin x 2 (plus 5% inflation) K33.60

Year 3
Replacement Tarpaulin x 2 (plus 5% inflation) K35.28

Year 4
Replacement Tarpaulin x 2 (plus 5% inflation) K37.07

Year 5
Replacement Tarpaulin x 2 (plus 5% inflation) K38.92
Total: K343.67

While this catchment unit clearly has a place as an option for rural family water supplies, the flakes of tarpaulin is an issue that needs to be addressed. Also before an on-going promotion programme can be set-up, the real cost of extension will have to be meet by either a local NGO (or government) or by an outside donor. If the "real" cost is not met, then the extension programme is likely to be short term and its impact limited.

Save the Children Fund (NZ) and the Aitape Tsunami.
Following the Tsunami in the Aitape District of the East Sepik Province, ATprojects and Save the Children Fund (NZ) entered into an agreement whereby ATprojects would design and manufacture 25 portable steel rainwater catchment units (see picture below) and Save the Children Fund (NZ) would fund the project and also deliver the units to the Aitape District.

These units were not unlike the FH&RIP units, however a number of important changes were made and these included:

1. The timber (local bush material) was replaced with a 20 mm galvanised pipe structure, that could be bolted together.

2. To ensure that the maximum amount of rain water was collected a 100 mm PVC pipe gutter was designed and fitted.

3. Using daily rainfall data collected in Goroka and cross matched with Aitape, the area of the catchment was calculated to allow a family of 5 to draw 20 litre of water per day through out the year.

4.

Given the height of the structure, it was possible to add a support bar for a hanging bucket shower.
(see picture)

The problem of the flaking and disintegrate of the low grade tarpaulin still remained, but given that these catchments were designed to offer relief following a disaster and R+D time was limited, these catchments were an appropriate option at the time. Given the high cost of materials and production (K950 approximately) this unit has limited application in general rural water supplies. However there are a number of situations where this unit has potential and these include disaster relief, and semi-permanent settlements. It is worth noting that during the production process, a number of important lessons were learnt and these included:

1. The 100 mm PVC pipe can be cut in a simple profile to make an excellent and very effective gutter (see drawing and picture below).

2. That once the product process has been developed and jigs made, semi-skilled workshop (metalworking) staff are able to produce the catchments.

3. Using this design, ATprojects feels that a portable water collection and washing unit could be developed without major changes in the design or production process.

ATprojects Catchments
Based on the experience of developing the catchment for Save the Children Fund (NZ), ATprojects felt that a lower cost unit could be produced by using a more expensive tarpaulin and an innovative design. The main problem facing the development of a lower cost unit was the need for advanced sail making skills that were not available in Papua New Guinea. Using the ATprojects owned inter-net mailing list "PNGDEV"

ATprojects put out a request for a sail maker to assist in the design and production of a these new catchment units. Within days of board casting the request for assistance ATprojects was contacted by Mr Don Lucas a master sail maker (and a registered AESOP volunteer) living in Port Adelaide, Australia. Don who is retired, but still very active in the sail making industry offered his services to the project.

After a number of e-mails between Don and ATprojects, the ideas developed by ATprojects based on our experience in making rainfall catchments and Don's experience in sail making began to develop into a workable concept for a innovative design. The perimeters to be met by this new catchment design were:

1. The catchment would have to be made using only basic equipment or hand tools.

2. The skills required to make the catchment would have to be such that they could be acquired in a training period of not longer than 3 months, (the average length of time that an AESOP volunteer spends in Papua New Guinea).

3. The catchment would have to be designed to be suspended from locally available timber posts.

4. The size of the catchment had to be 8 square meters, (this size will allow a family of 4 to draw 5 litres of water per day per person every day of the year).

5. The catchment would have to be light enough to be easily transported (in a carton).

After the basic design had been developed, a scale model was produced by Don and sent to ATprojects. This model was shown to a number of people and possible clients to gauge their response, and once the concept was outlined the general reaction was favourable. At this point it was decided to take the next step and produce full size catchments.

While the size and design were developed based on joint technical and local knowledge, the materials to be used to make the catchments were yet un-tested. Seven fibres were looked at as possible catchments materials, from these seven two were selected for testing. These materials were:

1. DynaDuck - a blended polyester cotton fibre, UV resistant and

2. PVC 650 Tear Proof - UV resistant.

One important factor in selecting these two materials was the fact the both could be hand or machine sewn. PVC 650 Tear Proof also had the added advantage that it could also be "welded".

Thanks to Save the Children (NZ), funds were made available to make the first two catchments from the above materials, it is important to note that Don volunteered his time and considerable expertise in making these two test catchments. Once the catchments were made, they were sent to ATprojects and two test sites were selected. The catchments were installed and monitored for a period of 6 months. The basic steps of installing these catchments are shown below:

7. Six timber posts are cemented into the ground, the positioning of the posts is done by laying out the catchment and marking out a rectangle 400 mm larger (on all sides) than the catchment.

8.Once the posts are in position, a hole is drilled 2m from the ground.

9.When all the holes are drilled, the ropes sewn into the catchment are used to locate and fix the catchment in position.

10.The catchment needs to form a "saucer like" shape to ensure that the central outlet is at the lowest point. Once this is done the ropes can be fixed.

11. When the catchment is in position, a cement tank base and tank (in this case a 1000 Tuffa Tank) can be installed.

During the 6 months test period both materials stood up to heavy rainfall, the effects of UV light and general weathering. Apart from the expansion of the tie ropes, the catchment did not need adjusting. In regard to general cleaning, apart from removing fallen leaves the catchment did not need cleaning during the test period.

In Conclusion

General overview:
Clearly a lot of people have done a lot of work, and as a result of the work a number of rural families now have access to clear water. In saying this however, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. In regard to future development on these catchments there needs to be a clear understanding of the way in which the technology is to be "extended" into the rural areas of Papua New Guinea.

Recommendations:
1. Whatever catchment is promoted the use of the low grade tarpaulin should be avoided to stop "flake" and short term disintegration.

2. Given the high cost of rural extension in Papua New Guinea and the general reluctance of donors to fund long term costs relating to this extension e.g., salaries, housing, transport and general office support services. It is recommended that a non extension approach is taken in the promotion of these catchments.

3. Given the recommendation in "2", ATprojects feels that more work should be done in the areas of training and production of the current ATprojects catchment, as this design lends itself to extension by way of "direct sales" without the need for expensive rural extension visits.

4. To accommodate recommendation "3", funds to purchase the first amount of production materials will need to be found. Given the high cost of both DynaDuck and PVC 650 Tear Proof, it will be necessary to purchase and ship a complete roll of material from the supplier to ensure that the best price is obtained and the lowest price possible is passed on to the rural clients.

References
1. Wire-less Water Catchment Frame Construction Details. Family Health and Rural Improvement Program. Un-published paper, 24 November, 1998.

2. State of the Worlds Children.UNICEF Published paper, 1998.

3. Hydrologic Design Manual for Rain Catchment Water Supplies G.E. Seidel, Department of Heath, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Published, 1987.

4.. Gras Rut Rein Wara Kesmem Freim na Tenk. Linda and Lance Lovick. ATnius, Issue 008/9, September, 1998.

5. Rainfall Data 1938 to 2000 - Eastern Highlands Province S. Layton, ATprojects Inc. Goroka, Papua New Guinea. Un-published data, 2000.


7. Six timber posts are cemented into the ground, the positioning of the posts is done by laying out the catchment and marking out a rectangle 400 mm larger (on all sides) than the catchment.	8.Once the posts are in position, a hole is drilled 2m from the ground.	9.When all the holes are drilled, the ropes sewn into the catchment are used to locate and fix the catchment in position.