Farmers in Kenya are at times hindered from daily activities due to lack of enough water. However, with Kenya being well geographically placed with quite some rain during the season, Kenyans can store water and use it when it is dry.

Kenya’s per capita water is less than 600 cubic metres, which is below the global threshold of 1,000, making it one of the chronically water-scarce nations. Kenya’s water problem is, thought-provoking: if millions are not threatened by severe drought, they are fighting to remain afloat amid raging floods. Water scarcity is one of the major challenges to sustainable food production the world over, and climate change experts warn that it will only get worse as the world’s population continues rising. But local farmers can alleviate this situation by investing in water harvesting technologies and irrigation.

In Kenya, reservoirs and rock pools are common water storage facilities in homes or farms. A number of people use these methods of water storage to either harvest or store water which is often used either in normal home operations or in farms.

The urge to ensure there is adequate water that can push families into cluttering the garden with many unsightly tanks. Although the sight of one or two overhead tanks in the garden can be forgiven, it’s important to find a better way to place the water storage systems in the compound without interfering with the landscaping of the surrounding farm.

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Ways Of Storing Water

There are a number of options that you can explore to ensure you collect and store water depending on the space available and the water requirement for one’s home or farm. For instance, a home with high dependency on rain water due to perennial water shortage may deem it necessary to have several huge underground tanks. On the other hand, a small family may only settle for an overhead tank with a capacity of 10,000 litres, rather than digging a dam or building a rock pool in their property.

The type of water storage system can only be settled on after the family has identified its water needs. This helps one know the capacity of water storage facility needed. After which, one can choose among the available options.

However, an underground tank is one of the best choices for individuals keen on maintaining a proper manicured garden in their compound. The tank is concealed below the garden surface and is constructed using concrete. Drainage systems are put in place to trap water and guide it to the tank below. Underground tanks are often used by people practicing rain water harvesting.

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After constructing the tank, grass and trees are grown on the surface, to give the garden a flawless look.  Other than concrete, bricks can also be used to construct the underground tank that can be as big as one may wish. In case you are not sure about how to go about it, get help from experts on rain water harvesting. Landscapers can also assist homeowners to design the garden, as well as recommend the best trees or plants to be grown on the surface.

Water tanks can be camouflaged by either being placed on a tower that is raised above the ground. If it’s not too high up, it can have creeping plants grown around the tank or made to resemble the garden pattern or design.

A water tank with a pattern similar to the garden layout or landscape is creative and attractive. It’s pleasant to the eye and adds value to the garden. The design can be done according to one’s taste and preference.

It is paramount to increase investment in terms of water storage techniques, including storing groundwater during wet season, harvesting rainwater and conserving soil moisture through storing water in the ground.