ROOFTOP
RAIN CATCHMENT SIZING
The two major sources of water supply
in the atoll islands and many rural areas of the
high islands of the Federated States of Micronesia
(F.S.M.) are rooftop rainfall catchment systems
(RRCS) and shallow groundwater sources. The rain
catchment systems are best suited for supplying
drinking water needs. Other water demands are
best met from groundwater sources. An ideal water
supply system would have the components of the
RRCS and the groundwater components sized in such
a manner to meet the needs of the individual family
that owns the system.
This project, which was funded by
the US. Geological Survey Water Institute Program,
was designed to develop and disseminate criteria
to be used in the design of new or refurbishing
of existing individual water supply systems for
various islands in the F.S.M. The end product
was a design brochure for sizing combined rooftop
rain catchment systems so that they can provide
a continuous water supply even during drought
conditions.
A Windows based computer simulation
model was developed to evaluate the effectiveness
of various RRCS configurations for varied use
rates. The next phase of the study involved an
inventory of use rates, catchment sizes and tank
configurations for various island groups in the
Federated States of Micronesia. This was used
to update and verify past studies which have been
made concerning water consumption in Micronesia.
Rainfall data and use rates served as input to
the RRCS model. Output from the model was used
to develop a set of design tables to be used by
island sanitarians and residents in planning the
design of new or the upgrading of existing RRCS
systems. A brochure containing these tables has
been printed and is being distributed to Island
residents in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Several workshops have been held in F.S.M. so
that local sanitarians and water resources planning
personel can take full advantage of the brochure
and computer program.
This first study developed guidelines
for all the islands of Yap, State F.S.M. and all
the islands of Namonweito Atoll and the Pattiw
area of Chuuk State F.S.M. Other studies are presently
being planned for Saipan in the Commonwealth of
the Nothern Mariana's Islands, Pohnpei Island
and Majuro and Kwajalein atolls in the Republic
of the Marshall Islands.
For More Information on Rooftop Rain
Catchment send e-mail to:
Dr. Leroy F. Heitz P.E.: [email protected]
WERI on-line publication DESIGNING
YOUR RAINWATER CATCHMENT AND STORAGE SYSTEM
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