Regional Conference on Advancing Non Conventional Water Resources Management in the Mediterranean, 14-15 September 2011, Athens, Greece

1. Rainwater Harvesting in the Mediterranean:
Experiences from Implementation in islands
Konstantina Toli, MSc.
Programme Officer
Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean

2. Water resources in the Mediterranean
Water is a rare and fragile resource in the Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean climate is typified by an enormous irregularity in
the distribution of rainfall in space and time.
Rain Rate (mm/day)
Fig. Mean rainrates
over Mediterranean
Basin from January
1998–July 2007
(Mehta & Yang,
2008)

3. Water resources in Greece
Greece is a typical Mediterranean country, with unbalanced
rainfall, where integrated water management systems are still
either deficient or absent
Management efforts are
concentrating on the
implementation of provisions of
the Water Framework Directive.
There are parts of the country that
are under severe water stress, such
as numerous islands of the Aegean
Sea.
Annual mean precipitation values
(in mm H2O)

4. Continuing growth puts pressures on
vulnerable water resources
Causes Consequences
• Demographic growth • Threats to the quantitative
• Urbanization and qualitative regenerative
• Intense irrigation capacities of freshwater
• Touristic activities • Degradation of the quality of
freshwater and ecosystems
• Disposal of effluents
• Growing cost of water
• Climate Change

5. Urgent need for
Non Conventional Water Resources
• There is an urgent need to enhance water efficiency
and to explore further alternatives to ensure water
availability using innovative approaches.
• The revival of traditional water
harvesting and management
techniques, which have been
overlooked in favour of modern
technologies, sometimes less
sustainable, can be a move in
this direction.

6. Rainwater Harvesting Project
Aims & Objectives
To position rainwater harvesting as a helpful tool for climate
change adaptation at local level.
To promote rainwater harvesting as a sustainable way of
providing community access to water in water scarce areas,
thereby contributing to the improving ecosystem conservation.
To promote multi-stakeholder partnership for local rainwater
harvesting initiatives.
To promote knowledge and sharing of experiences on aspects of
rainwater harvesting systems and approaches.
The project is essentially a “demonstration case” aiming at
educating and stimulating people of all ages towards a
“new” (eventually not so new) “water culture” necessary for
addressing the current water needs.

7. RWH: A Multi-Stakeholder Project
• GWP-Med
• ‘Mission Water’ (Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling
Company Greece & Coca-Cola Hellas)
• Local Authorities
• MIO-ECSDE/MEdIES
Participating Islands:
Phase I (2009)
Syros, Tinos, Naxos
Phase ΙΙ (2010)
Anafi, Santorini, Ios, Naxos,
Heraklia, Koufonissi
Phase IΙΙ (2011)
Syros, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Sikinos,
Folegandros

8. RWH Project Activities
Installation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in selected public
buildings/properties (schools, town halls etc.). The harvested
rainwater is for several non-potable uses (watering, toilet flushing
etc.) contributing to water supply consumption reduction and
water saving.
All installations are harmonized with the architectural identity of
the islands and the landscape. They include both above- and
under-ground tanks.
Educational Programme: (i) Production of educational material,
‘The Gift of Rain’ (ii) Educational programme for students aged
10-15 years old (iii) Teacher training on education for sustainable
development, focusing on water issues.
Training Seminars for local technicians/workers (construction
workers, plumbers, engineers etc.).

9. RWH Project 2008-2011
Iraklia
Tinos
Syros
Koufonisia
Ios
Santorini
Naxos

10. Rainwater Harvesting Project
2008-2011
13 Cycladic Islands
2348 students participated
(1298 in Cyclades & 1050 in Athens)
326 teachers trained
91 technicians and citizens trained/informed*
Installation of 15 RWH systems
Repair of 15 RWH systems
Installation of 1 Greywater system
Estimated rainwater yield:
4.5-5.0 million liters of water
*the 2011 Technician Training is still pending

11. A Success Story
Rainwater Harvesting Project
2008-2011
Local Authorities Engagement & Ownership
Acknowledgment, Sustainability
Awareness Raising on Rainwater Harvesting and water saving
practices
Publicity and Dissemination
Award as Best Environmental Educational Material
Regional Conference on Advancing Non Conventional Water
Resources Management, Athens 14-15 September 2011

12. Other Activities
Stakeholder Analysis & Consultation in Sifnos Island
Expected Outcomes:
Stakeholder mapping and analysis (background & interview based),
Stakeholder Consultation for (i) prioritization needs, (ii)
development of shared vision, (iii) identification of potential
practical applications, (iv)(potentially) voluntary agreement
among stakeholders for better water management through NCWR.
• King’s College London
• GWP-Med
• Cornell University

13. Lessons Learned
NEEDS
A new water culture
Education for Sustainable Development
Application of Non Conventional Water Resources
Management methods and practices adapted to local needs
Partnership – Stakeholder Involvement
OPPORTUNITIES
Replication as best practice
Knowledge Sharing

14. Non Conventional Water Resources
Programme in Malta 2011-2013
MALTA

15. NCWR Programme in Malta 2011-2013
Partners involved:
- GWP-Med
- Ministry of Gozo
- The Coca-Cola Company Europe
- General Soft Drinks (Coca-Cola Bottler in Malta)
- Nature Trust Malta (local NGO)
- MIO-ECSDE/MEdIES

16. NCWR Programme in Malta
2011-2013
Aims: - To replicate the RWH project in Mediterranean countries
- To promote the use of NCWR
- To expand the NCWR Agenda in the Mediterranean
Objectives
- To promote RWH as a low cost practice to have access to water in the water
scarce Gozo Island
- To support the Ministry of Gozo in the Water sector Sustainable Development
Goals, aligned with its SD Action Plan
- To enhance the capacity of the local authorities on NCWRM
- To educate students and teachers on NCWR and sustainable water use
- To raise awareness on NCWR and sustainable water use

17. NCWR Programme in Malta 2011-2013
Activities
I. Installation and/or repair of 10-12 NCWR systems
II. Educational and Training Programs:
Educational Programme for Students Teacher training workshops
Educational Material for teachers and students in Maltese & English
One training seminar on NCWR for technicians.
Local case-study for Hydria Project
III. Awareness-Raising & Capacity-Building Activities
4 CBW for Regional and Local Councils of Gozo and Malta
1 CBW for local NGOs in Malta

18. More Information:
www.gwpmed.org
konstantina@gwpmed.org

19. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR YOUR ATTENTION