Guidelines and Manual for Rainwater Harvesting in Maldives. Pays/Territoire Maldives Type du document Miscellaneous Date 2009 Source FAO, FAOLEX Sujet Environnement gén., Eau Mot clé Eau de pluie Recyclage/réemploi Insuffisance d'eau/sécheresse Planification environnementale Éco-produits/processus écologique Politique/planification Ouvrages Utilisation durable Droits d'utilisation de l'eau Invasion d'eau salée/ensablement Dessalement de l'eau Aire géographique Asie, Asie et Pacifique, Océan Indien, Petits états insulaires en développement, Mer de l'Asie du Sud-Est, Asie du Sud Entry into force notes This Law enters into force on the day of its publication. Résumé Rainwater harvesting has emerged as promising options available as it is technically feasible, easy to operate and affordable even to poor communities. The communities are convinced about this option and the supportive environment is also available. It is also ecofriendly and can ensure water supply during disasters and emergencies. Thus rainwater harvesting is known to Maldivians as an old practice and has many advantages but it needs revival and improvement in its efficiency to cope with the increasing water demand and reliance. There is a scope for improvement in optimizing the system making it efficient and effective. The government is providing support by subsidizing the system and providing 2500 L capacity storage tank (mostly HDPE tanks). Although there are no national standards or norms for rainwater harvesting and its use, of late the national government has realized the need for establishing guidelines for domestic rainwater harvesting and its operation. The country office of WHO was requested to extend support by way of providing technical expertise to develop draft guidelines for adoption. The scope of these guidelines included only household rainwater harvesting for domestic use and hence other uses of rainwater including the groundwater recharge are not discussed here. Although there is a need for groundwater recharges and use of stored rainwater for agricultural uses, it is high time for the government to consider the encouraging policies as well as guidelines for the same. Texte intégral Portugais Site web www.searo.who.int