Rainwater harvesting

Village Idiot

Is anybody doing Rainwater harvesting --- rain on roof to gutter to cistern to pump to house and irrigation?

I am just starting to look into it and would like to learn more from others' experiences.

Thanks.

Cpt'n Cook

I have been running two 55 gal barrels for about 5 years now and added a third this year and want to add a couple more when I can turn up a couple more free barrels. They are easy to make and use. Can post more pics if that would help. Go for it!

Village Idiot

Thanks Cpt'n. I'm looking at about 6,000 gallons that will go through an osmosis and/or UV filter to provide water for my entire house and lawn.

The water we drink is full of microbes, etc. that are harmful and getting worse. Water resources are getting tighter and prices are estimated to increase exponentially in the future. It's a fairly heavy investment on the front end, but as of right now, an approximate 7 year ROI. There are several options available, so that is what my query was about.

Good show on the capture for your gardening. I haven't even been doing that.

Cpt'n Cook

That's a biggie. We are blessed with a pretty nice water supply here in central MA but it is getting more expensive every year with all the unfunded federal mandates we re getting.

Good luck with your project, it is nice to be as self reliant as you can.

Spring Chicken

It hasn't been that many years, uh decades, ago that I regularly drank water from cisterns (rain water) and hand-pumped wells. And as a kid playing in the woods around town I didn't hesitate to drink water from anything that didn't look like a cow track. I'm still alive.

Spring "Defying The Odds" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

Village Idiot

Leroy, the key element that I forgot to list was "filter". Today, even rain has bad microbes in it from pollution, and then, once it hits the roof and gutters, it picks up all kinds of things, like bird poop.

Spring Chicken

Did back then too. Fortunately, a cistern allowed the non-absorbent stuff to settle to the bottom. The sweetest sip was from near the top.

There was a livestock dipping vat installed by the state on my grandfather's farm in Louisiana. It was just one of many thousands throughout the South in an effort to get rid of a pesky tic. All livestock would be driven in one end, immediately go under water, then make their way to the other end where they would be declared treated.

The only problem was the pit was filled with DDT and a few other ingredients. That was back in the 30's and 40's. They were abandoned and the resulting leaching into the surrounding soil created a major problem. The stuff is still in the soil and every rain takes some of it away into the underground water or to rivers and lakes.

I've had DDT splashed on me many times and drank water that was infused with the stuff. I survived but I don't know how, given the toxicity of DDT. Bird poop was nothing...

Spring “By All Accounts I should Be Dead” Chicken

Village Idiot

Spring Chicken wrote:

There was a livestock dipping vat installed by the state on my grandfather's farm in Louisiana. It was just one of many thousands throughout the South in an effort to get rid of a pesky tic. All livestock would be driven in one end, immediately go under water, then make their way to the other end where they would be declared treated.

We had a dust bag that the cows had to walk under on the way to the feed trough. I forget what we put in it.

I've had DDT splashed on me many times and drank water that was infused with the stuff. I survived but I don't know how, given the toxicity of DDT.

Yeah, but look at you. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Little Steven

Gary,

I have a concrete tank that my eaves/gutters run into. Planning on a sprinkler system for dry spells.

Steve

Village Idiot

Steve,

I'm planning for that too. My cistern will probably be steel and hold about 6,000 gallons. My wife and I use about 3,000 gal. / month, so there should be enough for watering the lawn.

Little Steven

Gary,

Have you got a plan for overflow?

Steve

Village Idiot

I'm told 7 to 10 years. Most people don't stay in a house that long, so it isn't really widespread. I'm also told you'll get your money back on the sales price of the house ... but you know how sales people are. :laugh:

However, in Tucson,I've heard it's mandatory.

Village Idiot

We already have a drainage pipe underground that moves excess water out to the street and into the storm sewer system. I suppose it will be the same.

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker

the problem with a lot of things is that people tend to think they are going to move on in 5 to 7 years.

no payoff. so they go for vinyl siding, cheap shingles, etc. etc.

stick the cheap stuff on someone else when they move on.


more soapbox stuff. sorry

Village Idiot

We'll see. Part of it is just the thought of going somewhat "green". Solar isn't here yet, so this is a start. Part of Houston's water is from deep wells, and parts of the city have subsided several feet. There is a state mandate to wean ourselves off the wells because of that. The other source is Lake Houston, and it's quality is questionable. Another thought is that after Hurricane Rita, we were within 2 days of having no water because the distribution system was wrecked.

BTW, you've been a good boy for quite a while, Tweeve. I'm willing to bury the hatchet if you are.

Village Idiot

You're exactly right, Stike. Our house was built in the early '60s, and although not opulent at all, it's built right. And, our location is very close in. People are buying new houses about 40+ miles outside of Houston. Why should we ever move?

Little Steven

Gary,

You may want to look at the plastic septic tanks or industrial coolant tanks. Steel will rust and you will need an iron filter. Our well water comes out brown until it goes through the iron filter.

Steve

Village Idiot

Good point, Steve. I really don't know. My water guy is computing my size requirements and will come back with a quote and recommendation.

If he recommends steel, I'll be sure to bring this up. Thanks.

Little Steven

Gary,

He should be able to quote both. Plastic is generally much cheaper.

Steve