Webinar 2: 900 Students, 1 School, No Water

Webinar 2: 900 Students, 1 School, No Water – Ensuring water supply and improving hygiene through the Blue School concept

On September 26, 2024, the IRHA held its second webinar in a series designed to raise awareness among civil society organizations about the importance of rainwater management in their projects. Titled "900 Students, 1 School, No Water!", the event brought together around 30 online participants from countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malawi, and Tanzania.

A key opportunity for schools

Schools, with their large rooftops, present significant potential for rainwater harvesting. This approach can not only reduce pressure on water resources but also address critical needs like hand hygiene, toilet cleaning, menstrual hygiene, and irrigation for school gardens. By implementing rainwater harvesting systems, governmental agencies and NGOs can enhance water availability for school communities, even if the water is not used for direct consumption.

Presentations

The webinar featured three speakers who shared different perspectives on rainwater harvesting in schools:

• Florian Bielser, International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA): Ensuring water supply and improving hygiene through the Blue School concept

Florian introduced the Blue School concept, which aims to improve health and learning conditions by facilitating access to water and sanitation services. He explained how rainwater harvesting systems can provide 2.5 liters of drinking water per student per day, encouraging better hygiene practices. He also highlighted the importance of school gardens as learning spaces for sustainable farming techniques and environmental conservation, along with the role of PACT committees (Parents, Authorities, Children, and Teachers) in ensuring the sustainability of these systems.

• Prof. Mooyoung Han, Rain for All (South Korea): Technical and social innovations in community rainwater harvesting for drinking water

Prof. Han discussed both technical and social innovations in rainwater management, emphasizing student involvement in the maintenance of collection systems. He introduced the BiTS group (Bi (Rain) Teacher and Student), which integrates art, culture, technology, and social dimensions to promote water management. He also stressed the importance of regular monitoring of water quality and rainfall to ensure the water’s potability.

• Harry Chaplin, Director of Tatirano Social Enterprise, Madagascar: Transforming rainwater harvesting into an economic and social driver through school roofs

Harry spoke about the economic and social impact of rainwater harvesting using school roofs as a development tool. He demonstrated how this practice can improve water supply and strengthen communities through local initiatives, noting that 70% of the beneficiaries are women. His women-led company installs and rehabilitates water infrastructure while promoting the use of high-quality treated water for reuse.

By incorporating these practices into your projects, you can help improve water access and hygiene in schools while building community resilience.

Register now for the next webinar, which will continue this discussion on rainwater management and its impact on communities:

Lets recharge the wells