The Tube recharge: rainwater storage at a cost of 1 US$ per cubic meter

Artificial infiltration of rain water can become a cost-effective storage option. This paper presents an example from Njombe, Tanzania, where the cost of a 18 meter deep hand dug well, a Rope pump and an infiltration pit (Tube recharge) was 500 US$. Each year approximately100 cubic meters of rain water is infiltrated and “stored” around the well and 50 cubic meters is pumped up for domestic use, livestock and garden irrigation. This system has functioned for 3 years, and whereas before the well was dry for 3 months of the year, now the well has water throughout the year.. Over a period of 10 years, the cost of water with this combination is 1 US$ / cubic meter. This is approximately one fifth of the cost of water from a cement tank of 10 cubic meters. More investigation is needed but, where technically possible, the Tube recharge can be a sustainable and low cost option for rain water storage.