Harvested rainwater as a solution for marine pollution and contaminated groundwater

There is a lack of drinking water in many remote communities and small islands. Groundwater is currently relied upon for domestic supply in many of these regions, but it is not always sustainable or suitable for human consumption. In these areas, plastic water bottles are being promoted, which is a major source of marine pollution. There is abundant rainwater available at many places for capture and storage for domestic use, but this is underutilised. The main barriers for increasing rainwater use and taking the strain of groundwater are the cost of installation, perception and treatment in some places. Although bottled water is not a water source, but a method of distribution" in Cambodia" it has been observed to directly conflict with rainwater storage systems. In Koyra, Bangladesh, rainwater storage systems have been found to be underutilised mainly due to lack of good initiative and poor public perception. As water is such an essential part of life, to the point where people may say, water is life, it should be a focus point of investment.Water security can only be achieved when there is an abundant supply that will last the severest of droughts. It is expected the multiple water sources will be the best way to achieve this, and currently rainwater storage systems show the greatest promise. There are challenges on technological, economical and societal levels that need to be tackled to make rainwater storage system a sustainable option in rural and small island communities to meet the drinking water needs. Promotion of rainwater harvesting will reduce dependence on water bottles, which will assist in reduction of plastic pollution of our marine environment.