Brazil's ministry for social development will allocate BRL 68.7 million (EUR 19 million) this year to build 50,000 small water tanks in the country's semi-arid belt. The government news agency Agência Brasil said that the cisterns will benefit rural areas in the northeast, the north of Minas Gerais state and Espírito Santo state.

The water tanks aim to serve communities that face difficulties in accessing water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. Each tanks costs BRL 1,500 (EUR 418) and can hold 16,000 litres. The plan is to provide water storage for 250,000 residents this year.

Source: BNamericas.com (subscription site), 17 Mar 2005

Tags: water collection