Villa Olivenca Household Rainwater Harvesting Project

Total Project Cost: $19,186

Project Location: São Paulo da Olivença, Amazonas State, Brazil

Project Overview

The Villa Olivenca Household Rainwater Harvesting Project seeks to provide safe and sustainable access to drinking water for vulnerable families living in the remote Amazonian municipality of São Paulo da Olivença in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. The project will support the installation of decentralized household rainwater harvesting systems designed to improve water quality, household hygiene, and health outcomes for families currently relying on unsafe and improvised rainwater collection methods.

The community of Villa Olivenca is located along the Amazon River and is accessible only by river transport. Although surrounded by abundant water resources, the community lacks reliable access to safe drinking water. Families currently collect rainwater using precarious storage systems that expose water to contamination from roof debris, oxidation, insects, and environmental pollutants.

The proposed project will equip 20 households with improved rainwater harvesting systems that include roof cleaning and waterproofing, gutter installation, first-flush diversion systems, water filtration units, and sealed 500-liter storage tanks. The project is designed to provide safer drinking water during both the rainy and dry seasons while improving household sanitation and hygiene practices.

Community Background

Villa Olivenca is a small rural settlement in São Paulo da Olivença Municipality in Amazonas State, Brazil. The population largely consists of indigenous descendants and riverbank families who were displaced by landslides more than a decade ago and subsequently relocated to the current settlement area.

Most families depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing, family farming, government subsidies, and traditional livelihoods for survival. Economic opportunities are limited, and access to basic infrastructure and public services remains inadequate.

The climate is tropical and humid, with average temperatures near 30°C. The dry season typically occurs between June and September, when access to water becomes especially difficult. Despite living near the Amazon River, families do not have access to treated or potable water sources.

Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) Concerns

Families currently collect rainwater using improvised systems that expose stored water to multiple contamination risks. Existing storage containers are frequently uncovered or poorly protected, allowing dirt, insects, and debris to enter the water supply. Roof surfaces accumulate dust, leaves, oxidation residue, and other contaminants that are washed directly into storage containers during rainfall events.

The lack of safe storage and filtration significantly increases the risk of waterborne illness and poor hygiene conditions. These challenges become even more severe during the dry season when rainfall is less frequent, and families are forced to ration unsafe water supplies.

Proposed Project Components

The project will install household-level rainwater harvesting systems for vulnerable families in Villa Olivenca. Each system will include:

• Cleaning and waterproofing of ceramic tile roofs
• Installation of plastic gutters for rainwater collection
• First-flush water diversion systems
• Multi-stage water filtration using carbon, gravel, and sand
• Installation of sealed 500-liter water storage tanks
• Household training on operation and maintenance
• WASH education focused on hygiene, safe water handling, and sanitation

The decentralized design ensures that each family is responsible for the operation and maintenance of its own system, improving ownership and long-term sustainability.

Sustainability and Long-Term Impact

The project emphasizes sustainability through household ownership, local engagement, and ongoing monitoring by community health services.

The local Basic Health Unit (UBS) regularly conducts preventative household visits focused on health monitoring, nutrition, oral hygiene, vaccinations, and vector control. Following project implementation, UBS staff will also monitor the condition and functionality of the rainwater harvesting systems during these routine visits.

Because the systems are simple, decentralized, and easy to maintain, families will be able to independently manage their systems after installation. The project is also expected to encourage replication among neighboring families and communities.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

The project will be implemented collaboratively through the following institutions:

• Caritas Regional will coordinate social support and community engagement activities in partnership with the Parish of São Paulo da Olivença.
• Rede ASSA will oversee procurement, logistics, technical design, implementation support, and WASH training activities.
• The Basic Health Unit (UBS) will provide hygiene education, post-project monitoring, and community health follow-up.
• Beneficiary families will contribute labor for system installation and participate in project training activities.

Community participation and local institutional involvement are central to the project’s implementation strategy and sustainability plan.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved access to safe drinking water for 20 households
• Reduced exposure to contaminated water
• Improved hygiene and sanitation practices
• Increased household resilience during dry seasons
• Strengthened community health monitoring and WASH education
• Enhanced sustainability through decentralized household ownership

The Villa Olivenca Household Rainwater Harvesting Project represents a practical and community-driven solution to one of the region’s most pressing public health challenges: access to safe water. Through strong local partnerships and sustainable household systems, the project will improve the health, dignity, and resilience of vulnerable families living in the Brazilian Amazon.

If you would like additional information about this project, please contact us.