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Aneth Chapter of the Navajo Nation uses rainwater collection ingenuity found in Asia and Africa
Comprehensive Community Development Highlight
Where: Blanding, Utah Aneth Chapter of the Navajo Nation
Problem: No running water for low-income seniors
Solution: RCAC responded with an innovative rain collection system
RCAC assisted the Aneth Chapter of the Navajo Nation implement an innovative roof rainwater collection system to collect drinking water. The mostly elderly, very low-income residents have no electricity, running water or wastewater connections and live in seriously substandard housing conditions. Previously, they hauled all their drinking water in plastic tanks.
Westwater Dine artwork conference display
The Aneth Chapter members live in Westwater, Utah, a 120-acre tract of land adjacent to Blanding, Utah. RCAC secured funding for an onsite rainwater collection system that greatly reduces the amount of water the residents haul from other sources. Rainwater harvesting is a technology used for collecting and storing rainwater, usually found in Asia and Africa, with promise to address water shortages in remote rural America.
RCAC worked with the Aneth Chapter to acquire propane gas from a local supplier. RCAC also assisted the Chapter to identify another organization that built eight new replacement homes for existing residents, but they still have no water or sewer connections.
RCAC continues to work with the Chapter to find solutions to its water and sewer woes, but in the interim, the rainwater harvesting solution is a resourceful first step. RCAC staff members also continue to push the city to provide utilities to this vulnerable population.
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