AGRICULTURE REPORT - A Liquid Crop: Looking for a Way to Har

AGRICULTURE REPORT - A Liquid Crop: Looking for a Way to Harvest Rainwater?
By Jill Moss¹

Broadcast: Tuesday, April 19, 2005

I'm Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

When we think of harvests, we usually think of plants. But can you also harvest a liquid? Sure. Just think of rainwater. Best of all, it is free, except for the cost of a way to collect it.

One way to harvest rainwater is with some technol

 
IDE developed this system in reaction to a crisis² involving polluted groundwater in Bangladesh.
ogy developed by International Development Enterprises³. This is a non-governmental organization. It is based in the American state of Colorado. It created the technology as a way for people in developing countries to avoid having to drink polluted ground water.

The rainwater harvesting system created by International Development Enterprises uses pipes to collect water from the roofs of buildings. The pipes stretch from the buildings to a two-meter tall storage tank. This tank is made of metal. At the top of the tank is a so-called⁴ "first-flush" device⁵ made of wire screen. This acts as a barrier. It prevents dirt and leaves in the water from falling inside the tank.

A fitted cover sits over the first-flush device. It protects the water inside the tank from evaporating⁶. The cover also prevents mosquitoes from flying into the water and laying eggs.

Inside the tank is a low-cost plastic bag that collects the water. The bag sits inside another plastic bag similar to those used to hold grain. The two bags are supported inside the metal tank. In all, the water storage system can hold up to three thousand five hundred liters⁷ of water.

International Development Enterprises says the inner⁸ bags may need to be replaced every two to three years. However, if the bags are not damaged by sunlight, they could last even longer.

International Development Enterprises says the rainwater harvesting system should be built on a raised structure. Doing so will prevent insects from eating into it from the bottom.

The developers say one tank can provide a family of five with enough rainwater to go through a five-month dry season.

Internet users⁹ can get more information about International Development Enterprises at its Web site: i-d-e-o-r-g-dot-o-r-g (ideorg.org). Again, the spelling is i-d-e-o-r-g dot o-r-g.

We'll have a link on our Web site, where you can read and listen to our programs. That address is voaspecialenglish dot com. And, if you have a question or comment, write to [email protected].

This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Jill Moss. I'm Gwen Outen.

1 moss   

n.苔，藓，地衣

参考例句：

• Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。
• He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。

2 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

3 enterprises   

事业( enterprise的名词复数 )； 事业心； 企[事]业单位； 企业发展

参考例句：

• In capitalist society,big enterprises always try to freeze out the smaller ones. 在资本主义社会，大企业总是千方百计地排挤小企业。
• Big transcontinental enterprises jostle with one another for world markets. 巨大的跨国公司[企业]互相争夺国际市场。

4 so-called   

adj.所谓的，号称的

参考例句：

• These were the so-called mainframe machines.它们被称为主机。
• Let's see what this so-called button does.让我们来看看为什么这个按钮叫这个名字。

5 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。

6 evaporating   

adj.蒸发用的，蒸发作用的v.（使某物）蒸发掉( evaporate的现在分词 )；消失，不复存在；使脱水

参考例句：

• She went on separating, bolting, evaporating, filtering and mixing. 她不断地进行分离、熬煮、蒸发、滤清、调制。 来自辞典例句
• You transfer the solution to an evaporating basin. 转移溶液至一蒸发皿中。 来自辞典例句

7 liters   

n.升( liter的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• In the metric system, measurements are made in metres and liters. 在公制中，用米和升作计量单位。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This can holds five liters of water. 这个容器可装五升水。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 inner   

adj.内部的，里面的；内在的，内心的；精神的

参考例句：

• The label is on the inner side of the box.标签贴在盒子内侧。
• Other people seek the mountains for renewal of their inner lives.另一些人到深山中去，寻求新的精神生活。

9 users   

用户，使用者( user的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new software will prove a boon to Internet users. 这种新软件将会对互联网用户大有益处。
• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。