ANALYSING THE EFFICIENCY OF ROOFTOP RAINWATER HARVESTING

This study sought to analyse the efficiency of rooftop rainwater harvesting (RRWH) in T/A Chimaliro of Thyolo district towards a successful realisation of WASH in the era of climate change by looking at socioeconomic factors that influence adoption of RWH. Various socioeconomic characteristics were considered. They included education of household head, gender, family size, roofing material, access to information, age, sources of income. Data was collected using a combination of data collection methods including; survey interviews, key informant interviews and direct observation. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to analyse the efficiency of rooftop rainwater harvesting (RRWH) in T/A Chimaliro of Thyolo district. Data collected was cleaned, coded and keyed in preparation for analysis, and analyzed by use of SPSS and summarized according to the study objectives using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency tables, cross tabulation, charts and bar graphs to come up with conclusions and recommendations. The findings revealed that lack of finances played key role in hindering efficiency of RRWH, in addition inaccessibility to information and gendered division of responsibilities too emerged as a challenge to adoption of DRWH technologies for domestic use. Roofing material was observed not to be a problem in the area but storage facilities and guttering was observed to hinder adoption of RWH. The study therefore concluded that the efficiency of RRWH in T/A Chimaliro has been hindered due to the lack of resources necessary for installing RWH structures. In addition, inadequate access to information of the people in general by relevant stakeholders has contributed to lack of interest in adopting RRWH. The study therefore recommends that deliberate efforts be put in place to avail resources for subsidizing RWH in the area. The study also recommends capacity building of community with regards to RWH technology.