Outcomes

Demonstration site selected

The ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) team and the Every Drop Matters Regional Project Coordinator made a visit to Beypazarı on 21–22 June 2007, and selected Kuyumcu Tekke, 5 km from Beypazarı, as a pilot site due to its water-shortage problems. Even though the 120 inhabitants of the village have access to the municipality’s water network, there is not enough potable water for the entire village. After the selection of the site, the demonstration location was agreed with the community – the house of the village headman).

Project Preparation Phase

During the preparation phase, a brainstorming session between UNDP and ICARDA was held to plan the construction of the rooftop water-harvesting system. Separate meetings were held for the men and the women in the village who fell within the socioeconomic study. The women showed more interest in the project than the men because water shortages affect them to a greater extent.

Construction of demonstration site completed

The first rooftop water-harvesting system was built by the local community and the local labour force.

Once the demonstration rooftop water-harvesting system was completed, it took a week to fill the storage tank and the household then started to use the harvested water. During the last visit of the Regional Project Coordinator on 6 December 2007, it was observed that the village headman and the community were very impressed with the system.

Implementation of community action plan and construction of rooftop water-harvesting systems

The successful demonstration of the rooftop water-harvesting system in the village headman’s house created awareness and a demand for the system in the village. The community selected 12 more houses for the installation of more units. As a result, the pilot site residents enjoy a continuous flow of clean water in their homes for the first time.

Repair/construction of water harvesting facilities

By the end of September 2008, all the guttering systems were fixed, the bases for the polyethylene (PE) tanks were built, and the PE tanks were installed on their bases.

Installation of water-monitoring devices

A raingauge with a data logger was also installed in the village headman’s house before the rainy season started because the reliability of the runoff coefficient depends on the measurement of rainfall in real time.

Dissemination of results and rainwater-harvesting concept

A documentary film that included an interview with the Regional Project Coordinator was made by Kanal 24. The documentary explains the rooftop water-harvesting system and its implementation in Beypazarı. The documentary was broadcast on 28 December 2007 in Kanal 24’s Nature’s Scream series.