Water quality management for domestic rainwater harvesting systems in Fiji

Health risks from drinking rainwater are relatively small in the developing world context, but action is needed to ensure water safety. This research seeks to develop guidance for sustainable water quality management by considering the Water Safety Plan and Self Supply approaches using households in Fiji as a case study. A literature review, cross sectional case studies of selected households using semi-structured interviews and sanitary inspections, and key informant interviews were carried out. An absence of contamination barriers before storage, poor gutters, and openings on storage tanks were the most prominent risks observed. Rainwater harvesters require on-going support, but government resource limitations are an obstacle to this in Fiji. A lack of perceived susceptibility to infection and ignorance of causes of faecal-oral diseases are possible barriers to sustainable management while prevention of physical contamination is the main driver. Key areas recommended for improving the sustainability of domestic rainwater harvesting quality management are:    Provision of prioritised risk management instructions Tackling identified barriers and utilising identified drivers of management practices Methodical plans for on Introduction going support    Strengthened engagement of the private sector Strengthened links between major stakeholders Knowledge management