4th International Conference on Rain Water Cistern Systems
Manila , Philipines - August, 1989

Section H: Delivery And Diversion Systems

Paper H.1

Study Of Diversion And Delivery In Rain Water Cisterns In India

Edward Pakianathan
Christian Industrial Training Association Madras, India

Abstract

In some hilly areas in North West India, seasonal rainfall, being only source of drinking water, is collected in Household Jars and Cisterns of Brick, Masonry and Corrugated Tin. Presently concrete and Ferro-cement Cisterns are also built for adequate storage to meet family needs throughout the year. Rain water collected in Metal or Tile Roofs is conveyed through Gutter and Downpipe directly to the Cistern below. But nowadays because of increased road traffic, there is much settlement of dust on the roofs s in dry months. Roof Wash Filter and Diversion on for Foul Flush is introduced. Flexible pipes or Flap Valve and inverted 'Y' Pipe arrangements are used. System, however, is not very, effective as people neglect to manually change position after rains. The objective of this paper is to of offer a simple but Automatic Diversion System using a leaking Bucket and Counterweight principle. Water delivery from Cisterns above ground is by gravity flow.

Hand pumps are used for cisterns below ground, for which a more effective foot pedal pump is being tried out. For larger applications for community use, a simple, low cost single mast windmill, held in position by guy ropes, has been developed using components such as Bicycle and Hand Pump parts which are all easily available in the local market. Specifications, technical details and photographs presented. The paper also recommends suitable measures for promoting rainwater harvesting techniques in drought prone areas in India. and other developing countries.

PDF of full document available to members (12pp, 360kb)