Guttering is used to transport rainwater from the roof to the storage vessel and usually fixed to the building just below the corrugated iron roof and catches the water as it falls from the roof and prevents it from eroding the foundations

Debris, dirt, dust and droppings will collect on the roof of a building and when the first rains arrive, this unwanted matter might be washed into the tank. This will cause contamination of the water and the quality will be reduced. Many RWH systems therefore incorporate a system for diverting this ‘first flush' water so that it does not enter the tank. Such a flush system needs to be considered

The storage vessel will be a tank located above ground at each end of the school classroom blocks. Being above ground will allow it to be easily inspected and allows for gravity based water pressure

Rainwater does not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) water quality guidelines and ought not be used for drinking and cooking but for land irrigation systems. Rainwater tanks should be designed to protect the water from contamination by leaves, dust, insects, vermin, and other industrial or agricultural pollutants. Tanks should be sited away from trees, with good fitting lids and kept in good condition. Incoming water should be filtered or screened, or allowed to settle to take out foreign matters. Water which is relatively clean on entry to the tank will usually improve in quality if allowed to sit for some time inside the tank. Bacteria entering the tank will die off rapidly if the water is relatively clean. Algae will grow inside a tank if sufficient sunlight is available for photosynthesis. Keeping a tank dark and sited in a shady spot will prevent algae growth and also keep the water cool.

There is a need to prevent insect vectors from breeding inside the tank. In areas where malaria is present, providing water tanks without any care for preventing insect breeding can cause more problems than it solves. All tanks should be sealed to prevent insects from entering. Mosquito proof screens should be fitted to all openings. Some practitioners recommend the use of 1 to 2 teaspoons of household kerosene in a tank of water, which provides a film to prevent mosquitoes settling on the water.

There are several simple methods of treatment for water before drinking: -

Boiling water will kill any harmful bacteria which may be present
Adding chlorine in the right quantity (35ml of sodium hypochlorite per 1000 litres of water) will disinfect the water
A recently developed technique called SODIS (SOlar DISinfection) utilises plastic bottles which are filled with water and placed in the sun for one full day. The back of the bottle is painted black.

Budget: £809 for 3 buildings

This clever system is based on the kettle. A copper pipe feeds into the base of the water barrel and into the base of the fire. As you cook your meal the water automatically heats up the water, boiling it and making it safe to drink