"Straight from the heavens into your bucket": domestic rainwater harvesting as a measure to improve water security in a subarctic indigenous community

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Date
2017
Authors
Mercer, Nicholas
Hanrahan, Maura
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
Background: Black Tickle-Domino is an extremely water-insecure remote Inuit community in the Canadian subarctic that lacks piped-water. Drinking water consumption in the community is less than a third of the Canadian national average. Water insecurity in the community contributes to adverse health, economic, and social effects and requires urgent action. Objectives: To test the ability of domestic rainwater harvesting (DRWH) for the first time in the subarctic with the goal of improving water access and use in the community. Design: This project utilised quantitative weekly reporting of water collection and use, as well as focus group discussions. DRWH units were installed at seven water-insecure households chosen by the local government. Results were measured over a 6-week period in 2016. Results: Participants harvested 19.07 gallons of rainwater per week. General purpose water consumption increased by 17% and water retrieval efforts declined by 40.92%. Households saved $12.70 CDN per week. Participants reported perceived improvements to psychological health. Because no potable water was collected, drinking water consumption did not increase. The study identified additional water-insecurity impacts. Conclusion: DRWH cannot supply drinking water without proper treatment and filtration; however, it can be a partial remedy to water insecurity in the subarctic. DRWH is appropriately scaled, inexpensive, and participants identified several significant benefits.
Description
Sherpa Romeo green journal: open access
Keywords
Indigenous , Health , Water , Security , Subarctic , Canada , Rainwater harvesting , Drinking water , Psychological stress , Indigenous communities , Black Tickle-Domino , Water insecurity
Citation
Mercer, N., & Hanrahan, M. (2017). "Straight from the heavens into your bucket": Domestic rainwater harvesting as a measure to improve water security in a subarctic indigenous community. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 76:1, 1312223. doi:10.1080/22423982.2017.1312223
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