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

• Main Authors: Mercer, Nicholas, Hanrahan, Maura
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2017
• Subjects: Indigenous; Health; Water; Security; Subarctic; Canada; Rainwater harvesting; Drinking water; Psychological stress; Indigenous communities; Black Tickle-Domino; Water insecurity; Water security > Newfoundland and Labrador; Drinking water > Newfoundland and Labrador; Water harvesting > Newfoundland and Labrador; Inuit > Newfoundland and Labrador; Inuit > Health and hygiene > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland; Tickle; Romeo; Black Tickle; Circumpolar Health; International Journal of Circumpolar Health; inuit
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10133/4961

Sherpa Romeo green journal: open access 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. Yes