Abstract:
Water sustainability is a global imperative, given the rising demand for freshwater, which
constitutes merely 1% of the earth's water and is essential for human use. Sri Lanka's dry
zones contend with severe droughts, floods, and saline water intrusion in coastal areas. The
aftermath of the 2004 tsunami triggered a water crisis in the Ampara district, prompting
collaborative efforts between the government and NGOs to establish a domestic rainwater
harvesting system. Although the project was successfully finished, there has been a problem
with sustainability in some areas due to a lack of monitoring of the harvesting tanks' use.
Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the status of the implemented rainwater harvesting
system at the Pottuvil and Thirukkovil DS Divisions in Ampara, employing simple random
sampling in Inspector Eatham, Kundumadu, Thandiyadi, and Sangamangramam villages.
The data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and literature studies. The collected
data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that only 30% of the 150
respondents utilized rainwater tanks, with a mere 3% using harvested water for drinking and
27% for various domestic purposes. Reduced dependence on rainwater collection was
associated with the introduction of a water supply scheme in those areas. In areas with
restricted centralized supplies, rainwater collection serves as an alternative, particularly in
larger households. A minimal percentage (2%) of respondents had higher education,
emphasizing the role of education in effectively implementing rainwater-harvesting systems.
Challenges such as tank damage, financial constraints among low-income farmers and
inadequate maintenance skills also contributed to the reduced usage of rainwater harvesting
tank. The study suggests funding for tank repairs in addition to community awareness
campaigns that emphasize the advantages of rainwater harvesting and encourage more
involvement. This holistic approach aims to address the multifaceted challenges hindering
sustainable water practices in the region.
