Learn how to design and implement effective rainwater harvesting systems for your home, garden, or community. Discover sustainable solutions for water conservation that work in any climate.
Water is life, and in many parts of Africa, access to clean water remains a critical challenge. This comprehensive course teaches practical, affordable rainwater harvesting techniques that can be implemented at various scales—from simple home systems to community-level solutions.
Rainwater harvesting is an ancient practice with modern applications. By capturing and storing rainwater, you can reduce dependence on unreliable water sources, decrease water bills, prevent soil erosion, and create resilience against drought. This course combines traditional wisdom with contemporary techniques to create systems that work in diverse African contexts.
Through video lessons, detailed diagrams, case studies, and hands-on demonstrations, you'll learn how to design, build, and maintain rainwater harvesting systems that are appropriate for your specific needs, climate, and resources. Whether you're in an urban apartment or a rural village, this course provides practical solutions that can be implemented with locally available materials.
This comprehensive online course includes:
All course materials are available in both English and French.
No prior experience with rainwater harvesting is required. Basic math skills are helpful for system sizing calculations, but all necessary formulas and tools are provided. Our "Introduction to Sustainable Gardening" course provides complementary knowledge but is not required.
While this course teaches water collection and basic filtration, we emphasize that additional treatment may be necessary for drinking water, depending on your local conditions. The course includes guidance on when additional purification is needed and appropriate methods for different contexts.
Water Resource Engineer & Sustainable Development Specialist
Jean-Pierre Mbungu has spent over 15 years designing and implementing water conservation systems across Africa. With a background in civil engineering and a passion for sustainable development, he has helped communities from the Sahel to the Congo Basin develop appropriate water solutions that address local challenges.
As the founder of WaterWise Africa and consultant to several international development organizations, Jean-Pierre has designed rainwater harvesting systems for schools, health centers, agricultural cooperatives, and thousands of households. His practical approach emphasizes using locally available materials and adapting techniques to different climatic conditions.
Jean-Pierre believes that water security is fundamental to sustainable development and is dedicated to making rainwater harvesting knowledge accessible to everyone. His teaching combines technical expertise with real-world experience to provide solutions that are both effective and implementable.
3 months ago
This course transformed our community's approach to water. As a village leader in Ghana, I was looking for affordable solutions to our seasonal water shortages. The step-by-step instructions made it easy to implement a community-scale system that now serves 15 households. Jean-Pierre's practical approach and emphasis on locally available materials made all the difference. We've already harvested over 20,000 liters this rainy season!
1 month ago
As an urban gardener in Dakar, I was struggling with high water bills and unreliable supply. This course helped me design a simple system for my apartment building's roof that now waters my entire terrace garden. The calculations and sizing tools were incredibly helpful, and I appreciated the focus on water quality for different uses. My neighbors were so impressed that five of them have now installed their own systems!
2 months ago
I work with an NGO in Kenya implementing water projects, and this course provided excellent practical guidance that complemented my theoretical knowledge. The case studies from different regions were particularly valuable, as were the maintenance and troubleshooting sections. My only suggestion would be to include more content on integrating rainwater harvesting with other water sources in a comprehensive water management plan. Overall, highly recommended!
Learn the fundamentals of sustainable gardening practices that work with nature, conserve resources, and produce abundant harvests.
Learn advanced composting techniques for creating rich, living soil amendments using locally available materials.
Discover how to create sustainable structures using earth, stone, bamboo, and other natural materials.
Rainwater harvesting can be beneficial in almost any climate that receives rainfall, even in regions with as little as 300mm of annual precipitation. The course includes guidance on assessing the viability based on your local rainfall patterns and teaches strategies for maximizing collection efficiency in different conditions. Even in areas with seasonal rainfall, proper storage design can help bridge dry periods. The course provides specific approaches for arid and semi-arid regions as well as high-rainfall areas.
Rainwater can be made safe for drinking with proper collection, storage, and treatment. The course covers comprehensive water quality considerations and appropriate treatment methods for different end uses. For drinking water, we teach multiple purification approaches ranging from simple filtration and solar disinfection to more advanced systems. We emphasize that local conditions (including air pollution, roof material, and storage methods) affect water quality and provide guidance on when additional treatment is necessary.
System costs vary widely depending on scale, materials, and complexity. The course covers options ranging from very low-cost DIY systems (under $50) using repurposed containers to larger installations with permanent tanks. We provide cost estimates for different approaches and emphasize solutions using locally available materials to minimize expense. The course includes a section on cost-benefit analysis to help you determine the most economical approach for your situation, as well as phased implementation strategies for those with limited budgets.
Basic systems can be installed with minimal tools and skills. The course demonstrates approaches suitable for different skill levels, from simple barrel collection systems requiring only basic tools to more complex installations. We provide detailed guidance on when professional assistance might be needed (particularly for plumbing connections or large underground tanks) and when DIY approaches are appropriate. All necessary techniques are demonstrated step-by-step in the video lessons.
Regulations vary by country and sometimes by region. The course includes information on common regulatory considerations and provides resources for checking local regulations. In most African countries, small-scale rainwater harvesting is encouraged or unregulated, but larger systems may require permits in some areas. We also discuss community-level implementation and working with local authorities to ensure compliance with any applicable regulations.
Maintenance requirements are generally modest but important for system longevity and water quality. The course covers seasonal maintenance tasks, most of which are simple cleaning procedures that take only a few hours per year. We provide a comprehensive maintenance schedule and troubleshooting guide to help you keep your system functioning optimally. Proper maintenance not only ensures clean water but also extends the life of your system components.
