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

Section C: Design

Paper C.5

Rain Water Cistern System for the Rural Areas of Kedah, Malaysia

Dr K. C. Goh
Associate Professor
Geography Section
School of Humanities
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Penang
Malaysia

Ir Mahyuddin Ramli
Lecturer
School of Housing Building and Planning
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Penang
Malaysia

Rural water supply has been given prominence in the various development plans of Malaysia. However, the pace at which the rural communities are supplied with potable piped water lags far behind the urban counterparts, A significant proportion of the rural population has to depend on traditional sources and in Kedah especially, the problem is compounded by regular shortages due to dry spells. This paper examines the possibility of introducing rain water cistern system as a reliable system of water supply for the villages in Kedah. The design of a cylindrical tank has been proposed taking into consideration several relevant factors. This rain water cistern system has been shown to be economically cheaper than piped water installation. With government assistance, the cost will be significantly reduced. The only problem that may arise with the introduction of this system is, purely a psychological one which is to convince the rural people that rain water is as good as piped water in terms of its potability.

PDF of full document available to members (19pp, 480kb)