Determination of suitability levels for important factors for identification of potential sites for rainwater harvesting
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Indigenous and scientific knowledge for locating potential sites for water harvesting
technologies do exists, however, a simple and integrated tool to assist farmers’ support
agencies, is missing. A geographic information system (GIS)-based decision support system
(DSS) can be a valuable tool for such a task. However, pre-requisite for such DSS are the
factors and their suitability levels, which are not well developed. This paper focused on
development of suitability levels for most important factors/parameters for identification of
such sites, which are soil texture, soil depth, drainage, topography and land use or cover.
Specific suitability levels were obtained using both the analysis of existing RWH technology at
Makanya river catchment and through literature review. Results of field survey together with
literature review showed that suitability levels of factors differ with different RWH
technologies. For example, suitable levels/areas for water reservoirs (ndiva) are steep slopes
(>30o) with clay soils whereas suitable sites for stone terraces are moderately steep slopes
(18o – 30o) with sandy loam soils. It was also found that most RWH technologies are located
at a distance between 0 and 125m from cropland.
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Keywords
Rainwater harvesting technologies, Decision Support System, Factors, Suitability levels