Needs of the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water in terms of Rainwater Harvesting System in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting is a best alternative of fresh water sources in dry zone of Sri Lanka. This study was carried out in Kilinochchi to study drinking water crisis during dry period, to assess rain water harvesting practitioners’ perception towards rainwater harvesting technology(RWHT) and satisfactory level of accessibility of safe drinking water. Where 30 rainwater harvesting practitioners were randomly selected. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Around two third of respondents was female. About just over four fifths of the respondents educated up to secondary level (grade 6 to 11). Majority (85%)of them had tube wells while 5 % and 10% of households had dug and common /neighbors’ well respectively. However, all of them did not access the water sources for drinking due to poor water quality. They used rainwater for drinking while minority of them used for cooking as well. The perception result revealed that just over 80% of them agreed with the statements, RWHT decreases effect of drought, satisfies drinking water demand, source for mosquito. Contrastingly, over 80 % of them disagreed with, RWHT satisfies domestic uses, improves food security and its structure needs large area. One sample t-test (significant at 5%) proved that, distance to collect water, availability of water sources, regular water quality monitoring, use of filtering system, cost of RWH system and quality of harvested rainwater were statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between sample mean and test value (3) while drinking water quality of other water source/s was not significant (p>0.05). To sum up, communities from water deficit areas completely depended on rainwater for drinking. Hence, rainwater harvesting should be introduced to all water deficit areas.