Cisterns for Water Conservation and Flood Control

Abstract

In this paper the potential contribution of privately owned cistern systems to both water conservation and flood control in arid and semi‐arid regions is examined. Although it is demonstrated that, given the current cost of water in the American Southwest, cisterns are not yet a viable water conservation alternative; it is demonstrated that in situations in which water conservation and flood control benefits can be combined, cisterns are a cost effective alternative that should be considered.