World Groups Advocate Full Rainwater Use

Austin, TX /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (www.arcsa.org) and worldwide groups from 19 nations on World Water Day advocate full utilization of rainwater harvesting. The mission of ARCSA is to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, non-potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout the world.

www.arcsa.org | 1-512-617-6528 | info@arcsa.org

Joint Rainwater Statement

World Water Day

March 22, 2011

The UN Human Rights Council affirms the human right to safe drinking water.(1) Now is the time for the world's governments to contribute to the provision of a regular supply of safe, accessible and affordable drinking water in sufficient quantity for 884 million more people.

On World Water Day 2011, the undersigned organizations wish to strongly advocate for the use of rainwater: it must be considered as an important tool in efforts to minimize the water related problems that already exist.

• Rainwater is a valuable resource that is underutilized. Its capture and use can alleviate challenges related to potable, non-potable, stormwater and energy.
• Local rainwater harvesting solutions enhance water security and provide important relief to households and communities. All around the world, rainwater infiltration, collection and storage offers benefits for the environment, wildlife and humans, and improves water availability for industry and agriculture.
• It is time for rainwater catchment to be included in the development plans of all governmental agencies as part of their integrated water resource management strategies.
• Introduction of the concept of rainwater management – maximizing rain's benefits as a vital resource while minimizing potential rain hazards – to curricula of technical schools and universities will bring future benefits to urban planning, architectural and agricultural projects.

Signatories:

American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) - www.arcsa.org

International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA) - www.irha-h2o.org

International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (IRCSA) - www.ircsa.org

Association pour un environnement CONstruit VIvant et VErt - www.convive.org

Brazilian Rainwater Catchment and Management Association - www.abcmac.org.br

Cabell Brand Center - www.cabellbrandcenter.org

Conseil de gouvernance de l'eau des bassins versants de la riviere Saint-Francois - www.cogesaf.qc.ca

Consortium Across the Community to Harvest Water

Demon of Ecology-AVGI

Dundee UNESCO Centre, University of Dundee - www.dundee.ac.uk/water

European Rainwater Catchment Association - www.rainwaterconference.org

Green Cross International - http://www.gci.ch/

Groupements pour la Promotion et l'Exploitation des Ressources de l'Environnement (GROPERE)

Ingenieurs du Monde - www.ingenieursdumonde.org

Integrated Rainwater Management Systems Project for the Ethiopian Highlands

IWA Rainwater Harvesting and Management Specialist Group - http://www.iwahq.org

Kenya Rainwater Association - www.gharainwater.org/kra_about.html

Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association - http://landscapeontario.com/

LivingEducation - www.livingeducation.org

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association - www.GardenMinnesota.com; www.MNLA.biz

Network of Rural Women Producers Trinidad and Tobago - http://ttnrwp.net/

NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation - www.ngoforum.net

Ontario Parks Association - www.rainforall.org

Rain for All - www.rainforall.org

RainWater Cambodia

Rainwater Club - www.rainwaterclub.org

Rainwater Harvesting Implementation Network - www.rainfoundation.org

Safe Water International - www.safewaterintl.org

Save Our Life-Ghana Foundation

Southern and Eastern Africa Rainwater Network - http://worldagroforestry.org/projects/searnet

University of Arizona - www.arizona.edu

Watershed Management Group - www.watershedmg.org

Watershed Organization Trust - www.wotr.org

(1) UNHRC Resolution A/HRC/15/L.14, September 30, 2010

SOURCE American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association