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Rain spout diverter for 2nd story4/12/2024 ![]() For most planning purposes, the average figure should be used. During drought years there may be as little as 30 inches, while excessively wet years may produce 50 or more inches of rainfall. Available rainfallĪcross most of Pennsylvania, annual rainfall averages around 40 inches (Figure 2). ![]() the daily water requirements of the householdĪll but the first of these factors can be controlled to some extent by the cistern owner.the roof-catchment area available for collecting that rainfall.the amount of rainfall available for use.The storage capacity of a rainwater cistern depends on several factors: Rainwater cisterns can provide water of adequate quantity and quality if proper steps are taken in the planning and construction stages, and periodic maintenance is performed throughout the life of the cistern. Recommendations for doing this will be presented, as well as guidelines for designing and building roof-catchment cistern systems. Measures must be taken to minimize these and other water-quality problems in cistern systems. Lead and other pollutants may accumulate in cistern bottom sediments and untreated rainwater is quite corrosive to plumbing systems. Rainwater and atmospheric dust that are collected by roof catchments contain certain contaminants which may pose a health threat to those consuming the water. Water quality is of concern especially when the rainwater is to be used for drinking purposes in addition to other domestic uses. However, the use of rainwater for supplying domestic water needs is not without its problems. A storage cistern built alongside a barn or other building could serve as an emergency source of water for firefighting in the event that a pond were not nearby. ![]() Watering troughs and rain barrels can be filled by water collected from barn and other out-building roofs. Roof-catchment cisterns may also be used to supply water to farms. ![]() Rural residents have been forced to find other sources of water and they have invariably turned to roof-catchment cisterns. Mining has rendered much of the ground and surface water unfit for drinking or other uses in large portions of these areas. The coal strip-mining region of western Pennsylvania is one such area. Rainwater collection on a household scale is quite practical in areas where there is adequate rainfall, and other acceptable sources of water are lacking. Those who live in areas where groundwater and surface water are unobtainable or unsuitable for use have been compelled to resort to other sources of water. Nevertheless, the same basic principles of modern-day systems were used in the roof-catchment cisterns of these earlier times.Ĭurrent use of rainwater cisterns may be increasing. They were utilized by both Greek and Roman civilizations, as well as by Pacific island inhabitants prior to any contact with western civilization. The use of rainwater cisterns is by no means new. Water Filtration Co., 1088 Industry Rd., Marietta, Ohio 45750.) A typical arrangement for a roof-catchment cistern system is shown in Figure 1.įigure 1. The cistern supplies water to the household through a standard pressurized plumbing system. The cistern, typically located underground, may be constructed of various materials including cinderblock, reinforced concrete, or precast concrete, fiberglass, or steel. A system of gutters and downspouts directs the rainwater collected by the roof to the storage cistern.
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