3rd International Rainwater Cistern Systems Conference
Khon Kaen, Thailand - January, 1987

Section B: Planning

Paper B.6

Applicability of Roof Rainwater Cistern Systems in Jordan

Sahim Tekali and Mohammad Mahmood
Jordan University of Science and Technology
Irbid
Jordan

The potential for use of roof rainwater cistern systems (RRWCS) in Jordan was investigated by analyzing the rainfall data for five stations, selected to represent all rainfall variations in the country.

Daily and monthly rainfall data for 20 years were subjected to computerized mass curve analyses For each year, maximum rainwater that can be stored and the corresponding allowable consumption (demand) rate were calculated and correlated with the annual rainfall, There were no observable spreads neither for individual stations nor among the stations. Each correlation was expressed by a linear relationship.

Storage capacities obtained from monthly data were less than those from daily data by as much as 30%. From cost comparisons with bottled-water, optimal cistern volumes were found to be equal to the maximum storage capacities determined by the maximum annual rainfalls.

80% of the rainstorms in Jordan occur during the 4-month period from November to March. On the basis of this observation, it is proven that adjustment of the consumption rates at the end of rainy seasons would improve usage efficiency of RRWC. systems.

PDF of full document available to members (16pp, 390kb)