Definition and Traditional Use of a Cistern

A cistern is a large capacity container used to store water. Typically, cisterns are usually located outside a building, often underground. They are made of heavy-duty materials like concrete and metal, and require very minimal or no maintenance. In some cases, cisterns can also be installed indoors, such as in a basement. Inn some contexts, the term “cistern” is used interchangeably with “tank” to refer to a container designed to store potable water.

Historically, cisterns were widely used in arid or semi-arid regions with scarce or no natural water sources, such as in Roman towns. In areas where cisterns were used, people carried water from rural sources in manually built channels to an artificially constructed reservoir or cistern. Later, these cisterns were used to collect rainwater from rooftops and to harvest water from natural springs.

Cisterns for Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is an ancient practice of collecting rainwater in cisterns for reuse, either for potable water or for irrigation. The rainwater collected in a cistern is free of impurities and usually cost effective. It has additional advantages such as water availability during water shortages or droughts, prevention of water runoff and better conservation of soils with higher infiltration rates. Rainwater harvesting is particularly important today in a time of ever-increasing water demand and extreme weather conditions.

A well-planned cistern for rainwater harvesting should include a filter to remove organic particles, silt, sand, and other foreign particles, as well as a storage tank to contain the water safely. The size of the cistern depends on the local rainfall and the size of the yard area. Furthermore, the cistern should be located in an area where no seepage or runoff from non-potable sources can occur, such as from over-spray from windows or from underground tanks or from nearby yards.

Modern Cisterns and Their Use in Water Supply

Today, cisterns are still widely used, relevantly in places where water supply is inadequate or unstable. They are particularly useful to store water for emergency purposes, in case of water contamination or rationing due to water restrictions or water outages. Cisterns are commonly used in residential areas as a cheap and easy to install emergency water supply, as an alternative to costly water systems.

In addition, cisterns can be used by businesses to harvest large quantities of rainwater, allowing them to reduce their dependence on public water supply, lower their water bill, and reduce the impact of their water consumption on local water resources. For larger water production volumes, cisterns can be easily linked to pumps and other water purification systems, such as those of water purification companies.

In conclusion, the use of cisterns has proven to be a reliable and sustainable source of water for many centuries ago and it’s being used in large variations today. Their flexibility, affordability, and durability make them an ideal solution for places with insufficient or no public water supply, as well as for businesses looking for alternative water resources.