Economic evaluation of water harvesting in microcatchments

A cost‐benefit analysis of the microcatchment water harvesting (MCWH) technique has shown that in highly dry zones (i.e., annual precipitation of less than 150 mm), the predicted income is negative. The introduction of modified technology improved water harvesting and thus increased the predicted net income. These modifications are associated with additional expenses, leaving the additional benefit questionable. A cost‐benefit analysis of MCWH with inserts (perforated vertical drainage pipes) to improve water use efficiency has led to a conclusion that net income is higher than that of MCWH without inserts. However, in a highly dry zone the net income is still negative (although only slightly), while in dry zones (i.e., annual precipitation of 250 mm) it becomes positive.