Introduction
Access to clean, safe water is vital for health, dignity, and development. In many informal settlements, residents face unreliable water supply, contamination, and costly alternatives that jeopardize their safety and well-being.
At Neftaly, we promote rainwater harvesting as an affordable, sustainable solution to improve water quality and safety, empowering communities to take control of their water resources.
The Water Challenges in Informal Settlements
Informal settlements often struggle with:
- Intermittent or no access to municipal water
- Contaminated water sources due to poor sanitation and infrastructure
- High costs of purchasing safe water
- Exposure to waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery
- Limited storage options leading to unsafe water handling
These challenges threaten health and safety, especially for children, elderly, and immunocompromised residents.
What Is Rainwater Harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater from roofs or other surfaces for later use. It provides a local, reliable, and clean water source that reduces dependence on unsafe or expensive alternatives.
Neftaly’s Rainwater Harvesting Solutions
Neftaly supports informal settlements to design and implement rainwater harvesting systems that are:
- Affordable: Using low-cost materials and community labor
- Appropriate: Tailored to local rainfall patterns and settlement layouts
- Safe: Including filtration and safe storage to maintain water quality
- Sustainable: Easy to maintain with local knowledge and resources
Key Components Include:
- Rooftop catchment areas with gutters and downpipes
- Storage tanks or barrels with mosquito-proof covers
- First-flush diverters to remove initial debris and contaminants
- Simple filtration systems to improve water quality
- Community training on system use, maintenance, and hygiene
Benefits to Water Quality and Safety
- Provides a clean and reliable water source for drinking, cooking, and hygiene
- Reduces exposure to contaminated surface and groundwater
- Lowers water costs for households
- Decreases waterborne illness rates
- Promotes water conservation and climate resilience
Community Impact: Voices from the Field
“Since we started harvesting rainwater, our family has had fewer sick days and the children can drink clean water right at home.”
— Nomvula, Gugulethu
“The tanks we installed with Neftaly help us store water safely during dry spells and keep the community healthy.”
— Jabu, Mitchells Plain
Moving Forward: Scaling Safe Water Access
Neftaly is committed to expanding rainwater harvesting programs across informal settlements, working with residents, local leaders, and partners to ensure safe, equitable water access.
Get Involved
Support Neftaly’s mission to improve water safety through sustainable rainwater harvesting.
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