Water Management: Cisterns and Desalination for Large Estates
Executive Summary
- 👉 Water autonomy is critical in summer peak demand.
- 👉 Cisterns and desalination require robust MEP planning.
- 👉 Operational protocols determine long‑term reliability.
Large estates in Sicily face water pressure issues during peak season. The investor pain is clear: luxury properties cannot afford water shortages. The solution is an integrated water management strategy—cisterns, filtration, and where feasible, desalination. This transforms a vulnerability into operational resilience.
1. Demand analysis and sizing
System sizing starts with real consumption. Steps include:
- estimating peak usage for pools, irrigation, and guest use;
- defining autonomy targets (days of reserve);
- calculating storage volume for cisterns;
- evaluating seasonal variation in consumption.
Incorrect sizing makes the system ineffective.
2. Cistern design and integration
Cisterns must be accessible, safe, and maintainable. Actions include:
- material selection (concrete, polyethylene) based on capacity;
- pump redundancy for reliability;
- level sensors and remote monitoring;
- access points for cleaning.
Cisterns are only valuable if they are functional and clean.
3. Desalination feasibility
Desalination is viable for some coastal estates. Steps include:
- sea water intake feasibility assessment;
- energy cost analysis for long‑term operation;
- brine discharge compliance checks;
- integration with renewable energy where possible.
Desalination is a strategic investment, not a plug‑and‑play solution.
4. Water quality and compliance
Water must meet safety standards. Actions include:
- filtration systems for non‑potable use;
- separation of potable and non‑potable networks;
- testing protocols with documented logs;
- automatic shut‑off systems for contamination risks.
Compliance protects health and property reputation.
5. Operations and maintenance planning
Water systems require continuous management. Steps include:
- scheduled maintenance for pumps and filters;
- training staff on emergency procedures;
- reserve parts stock for critical components;
- annual review of consumption efficiency.
Maintenance is what turns infrastructure into reliability.