EnterpriseWorks/VITA Receives Gates Foundation Grant to Develop Low-Cost Domestic Rainwater Harvesting System

EnterpriseWorks/Vita (EWV) has received a five-year grant from the Global Development Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to analyse domestic rainwater harvesting systems throughout the world, conduct research to reduce the costs of water storage units, and develop and test a market-based approach for the introduction of domestic rainwater harvesting systems to provide drinkable water to areas in need.

EWV will first embark on a year-long, 20-country study of past usages of rainwater harvesting and current technological innovations. This research period will allow EWV to learn more about the market’s needs, and design a product to adequately meet them. During the second phase of the project, EWV will implement a pilot project to produce and market a prototype system in a selected region.

The amount of the grant to EWV was not mentioned in the press release. In 2005 the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation launched a Global Development Special Initiative in water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Read more about EMV’s water and sanitation projects here.

Source:  EnterpriseWorks/VITA, 25 Jun 2008