43. Hmaydi, M.S. and Filfil, M. Bacterial Quality of Cistern Water in the City of Al-Bireh. 1989: 26 pp.

A study to investigate water quality in rain-fed cisterns in the West Bank city of Al-Bireh between April and October of 1988. The concentration of fecal coliforms is used as a measure of water quality. Water samples from 288 cisterns were studied.

Data concerning water catchment areas, cistern locations, water removal methods, physical characteristics of water, cleaning and chlorination procedures and their relations to water quality are presented. Nineteen percent of cisterns are free from fecal coliforms, sixteen percent are slightly contaminated (0 -9 fecal coliforms per 100 ml) and the rest show different levels of contamination. Guidelines for optimal and safe use of rain water are presented.