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Philadelphia Water Department Cistern Guidance for Stormwater Management

Rainwater & StorageEst. CapEx: Low-cost / Locally fabricated


Technical Overview

A professional design guide for cistern use in urban rainwater harvesting and stormwater compliance, including sizing, materials, and maintenance. Aimed at developers, engineers, and stormwater managers.


Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters

Parameter Specification
Category Rainwater & Storage
Capital Cost Low-cost / Locally fabricated
Primary Mechanism Cisterns store runoff from impervious surfaces (rooftops, parking lots) and release it at a controlled rate or reuse it for indoor/outdoor purposes (e.g., toilet flushing, irrigation). Systems include inlet filters, overflow controls, and pumps. Sizing is based on water demand and storm frequency.
Target Scale Household / Village Cluster
Standard Lifespan 10 - 20 Years

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