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I would do anything to avoid pumps – they need care, attention and money – they usually lack all three despite everyone’s best intentions and breakdown permanently – to everyone’s frustration. I would suggest therefore ground level tanks with lockable taps to fill buckets. May not be aesthetically so pleasing but practical arguments are strong. Number of tanks? I think one would have to see the site and do some rough calculations of cost and also think about how water is to be used. I am doing the same for my garage and house roofs here in Switzerland and am still thinking about all the advantages and disadvantages of various combinations. Possibility of earthquakes is an argument for multiple tanks – less impact if one breaks and not so likely that they all break. Perhaps site them a diameter away from the cathedral walls? You can make special collars which fit into the down pipes at the same level as the maximum water level in the tanks. They collect most of the water when the tank is not full, but then automatically let the water pass on down the pipe when they are – no moving parts. Can send sketch if required. The classic reference on rain water harvesting and ferro-cement tanks are:

Rainwater Harvesting: The collection of rainfall and runoff in rural areas Arnold Pacey and Adrian Cullis This book emphasizes the importance of social, economic, and environmental considerations when planning and implementing projects. For rural development workers, it aims to fill the gap in existing literature on the gathering and storage of water. 224 pages, 155x234mm, Paperback, ISBN 9780946688227

And Ferrocement Water Tanks and their Construction Simon Watt Describes how cylindrical water storage tanks of up to 150 cubic metre capacity can be built using wire-reinforced cement-mortar. Covers design and planning, costs, standard, recommended and alternative construction methods, and other information. 120 pages, 147x209mm, Paperback, ISBN 9780903031516

I would do anything to avoid pumps – they need care, attention and money – they usually lack all three despite everyone’s best intentions and breakdown permanently – to everyone’s frustration. I would suggest therefore ground level tanks with lockable taps to fill buckets. May not be aesthetically so pleasing but practical arguments are strong. Number of tanks? I think one would have to see the site and do some rough calculations of cost and also think about how water is to be used. I am doing the same for my garage and house roofs here in Switzerland and am still thinking about all the advantages and disadvantages of various combinations. Possibility of earthquakes is an argument for multiple tanks – less impact if one breaks and not so likely that they all break. Perhaps site them a diameter away from the cathedral walls? You can make special collars which fit into the down pipes at the same level as the maximum water level in the tanks. They collect most of the water when the tank is not full, but then automatically let the water pass on down the pipe when they are – no moving parts. Can send sketch if required. The classic reference on rain water harvesting and ferro-cement tanks are:

Rainwater Harvesting: The collection of rainfall and runoff in rural areas Arnold Pacey and Adrian Cullis This book emphasizes the importance of social, economic, and environmental considerations when planning and implementing projects. For rural development workers, it aims to fill the gap in existing literature on the gathering and storage of water. 224 pages, 155x234mm, Paperback, ISBN 9780946688227

And Ferrocement Water Tanks and their Construction Simon Watt Describes how cylindrical water storage tanks of up to 150 cubic metre capacity can be built using wire-reinforced cement-mortar. Covers design and planning, costs, standard, recommended and alternative construction methods, and other information. 120 pages, 147x209mm, Paperback, ISBN 9780903031516