Access to clean drinking water is an essential condition for the sustainable development of communities. However, many Raqaypampa is an Indigenous Native Peasant Autonomy located in the province of Mizque, in the southeast of the Cochabamba department in Bolivia, face a severe water crisis due to the scarcity of reliable sources, water contamination, and a lack of adequate infrastructure. To address this issue, this project proposes the implementation of a Rainwater Harvesting System (SCALL) as an effective and sustainable solution to ensure access to safe drinking water.
This initiative is based on a comprehensive methodological approach that combines Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA), Water Quality Benefit Accounting (WQBA), and WASH Benefit Accounting (WASH BA), allowing for the quantification of benefits in terms of the amount of water collected, improvements in its quality, and the impact on the health and well-being of the beneficiary population.
The project represents an innovative and complementary solution to the water crisis in the community, promoting water and climate security through the efficient use of rainwater. Additionally, it ensures that the benefits generated are additional, meaning they would not have occurred without the project’s intervention. This initiative also helps reduce pressure on overexploited water sources and strengthens the community’s resilience to extreme climate events.
Environmental Impacts
The community of El Raqaipampa faces severe difficulties in accessing safe drinking water, directly affecting the quality of life of its inhabitants. Families currently rely on intermittent and low-quality water sources, increasing their vulnerability and exposing them to waterborne diseases. Although the area receives an annual precipitation of approximately 550 mm, the lack of infrastructure for rainwater collection and storage prevents this resource from being effectively utilized.
Beyond scarcity, another critical issue is the poor water quality in the region. Many surface and groundwater sources have high levels of contamination, whether due to pathogenic microorganisms or chemical residues from agricultural and domestic activities. This situation forces families to travel long distances in search of safe water or to rely on unreliable sources, increasing the risk of disease and negatively impacting public health.
The primary challenges identified in the community include:
Without intervention, water scarcity and contamination will continue to worsen, exacerbating public health risks and increasing the community’s reliance on expensive or inadequate alternative water sources.
The lack of water in areas such as Raqaypampa, located in the department of Cochabamba, Bolivia, where access to safe and sufficient water is extremely limited, generates deep and interconnected consequences. One of the most immediate impacts is on public health, as families often resort to unsafe water sources, increasing the spread of waterborne diseases like diarrhea and skin infections. Hygiene practices are also compromised, especially affecting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. In agricultural communities like Raqaypampa, where livelihoods depend heavily on small-scale farming and livestock, water scarcity severely restricts food production, leading to food insecurity and malnutrition. The economic effects are significant, with reduced income and increased rural poverty pushing many families to migrate in search of better opportunities. Social tensions can also rise due to competition over scarce water sources, particularly during the dry season.
Environmentally, the lack of water contributes to the degradation of local ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity, affecting soil fertility and long-term sustainability. Overall, water scarcity in Raqaypampa not only undermines the well-being of its inhabitants but also obstructs progress toward sustainable development, limiting access to essential services like education, health, and dignified living conditions, and perpetuating cycles of vulnerability and exclusion.
The project will be executed in phases, ensuring a well-structured and efficient deployment. The first phase will focus on baseline study and site assessment, which will involve identifying priority households for system installation and collecting climatic and hydrological data to optimize the design of the rainwater harvesting infrastructure. This phase will also include a thorough evaluation of existing water sources to understand the extent of water scarcity and contamination challenges faced by the community.
Following the assessment, the system installation and community engagement phase will commence. This will involve the construction of rainwater harvesting structures, including the installation of collection surfaces, storage tanks, and filtration systems. At the same time, local management teams will be established to oversee system functionality, ensuring that maintenance needs are met efficiently and that the community remains actively involved in water resource management.
The next critical step is capacity building and training, which will ensure that beneficiaries can properly maintain their water harvesting systems. Households will receive hands-on training in system upkeep, while educational programs will promote sustainable water use and conservation. These initiatives will also empower local residents to become advocates for water security, fostering a culture of responsible resource management within the community.
Finally, a monitoring and impact evaluation framework will be implemented to track project outcomes. Regular water quality tests will be conducted to ensure that the collected rainwater meets health standards. Household water consumption trends will be assessed to measure improvements in water accessibility, and system performance will be tracked to identify potential enhancements for scalability and long-term sustainability.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Reduces the prevalence of waterborne diseases by providing a safe drinking water source.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensures access to safe and sustainable drinking water through rainwater harvesting and treatment.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Increases community resilience to climate variability and droughts, reducing dependency on vulnerable water sources.
The project will be executed in phases, ensuring a well-structured and efficient deployment. The first phase will focus on baseline study and site assessment, which will involve identifying priority households for system installation and collecting climatic and hydrological data to optimize the design of the rainwater harvesting infrastructure. This phase will also include a thorough evaluation of existing water sources to understand the extent of water scarcity and contamination challenges faced by the community.
Following the assessment, the system installation and community engagement phase will commence. This will involve the construction of rainwater harvesting structures, including the installation of collection surfaces, storage tanks, and filtration systems. At the same time, local management teams will be established to oversee system functionality, ensuring that maintenance needs are met efficiently and that the community remains actively involved in water resource management.
The next critical step is capacity building and training, which will ensure that beneficiaries can properly maintain their water harvesting systems. Households will receive hands-on training in system upkeep, while educational programs will promote sustainable water use and conservation. These initiatives will also empower local residents to become advocates for water security, fostering a culture of responsible resource management within the community.
Finally, a monitoring and impact evaluation framework will be implemented to track project outcomes. Regular water quality tests will be conducted to ensure that the collected rainwater meets health standards. Household water consumption trends will be assessed to measure improvements in water accessibility, and system performance will be tracked to identify potential enhancements for scalability and long-term sustainability.
The Rainwater Harvesting Project for the Community of Raqaypampa represents a sustainable and cost-effective solution to address the water crisis in the region. The project aims not only to provide an immediate solution to water scarcity but also to establish a long-term framework for efficient water resource management. By integrating technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and community participation, this initiative will ensure that the community gains access to a resilient and self-sufficient water supply system capable of adapting to future climatic and demographic changes.
A fundamental component of this project is its holistic approach to water security. While the rainwater harvesting system serves as a primary intervention, the project also fosters behavioral change and promotes sustainable water use practices among the local population. Community members will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain and optimize their water systems, reinforcing their ability to manage resources independently.
The initiative also contributes to broader regional and environmental benefits. By reducing dependence on overexploited groundwater sources, the project will help maintain ecological balance, mitigating soil degradation and preserving local biodiversity. Moreover, by reducing reliance on expensive and energy-intensive water supply methods, such as trucking or distant boreholes, the project will promote a more cost-efficient and energy-conscious water distribution model.
Over time, the implementation of this approach will contribute to a more sustainable and climate-resilient water management system, ensuring that the community remains protected against prolonged droughts and fluctuating weather patterns. Additionally, the project’s success can serve as a replicable model for other rural communities facing similar water challenges, showcasing how localized, nature-based solutions can effectively combat global water scarcity issues while fostering long-term social and environmental sustainability.
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