Simple rainwater harvesting techniques can help avert a water scarcity disaster and provide potable water to India, according to experts from the International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (IRCSA) here Tuesday.

"Simple techniques of rainwater harvesting can go a long way for replenishment of catchment systems in India as well as all over the world," said Jessica C. Salas at the four-day IRCSA Conference 2005, adding only a minuscule percentage of the total water on the planet is available for drinking purposes.

Another expert said though India was well covered by water sources, most of them had been rendered non-functional or contained unusable water. He said rainwater harvesting can recharge all these sources through relatively low cost techniques and help India achieve its goal of covering 70 percent of harvesting for its irrigation and drinking water needs.

IRCSA is a partnership of people in over 70 countries, with a vast collective experience in rainwater harvesting.

During the meeting, experts on rainwater harvesting from the world will share their knowledge and visit some model rainwater harvesting projects in New Delhi region, mainly rural sector and Industrial areas which have successfully adopted rainwater harvesting.

Source: Xinhua