Rainwater Harvesting Off Grid 2
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- Part 2: Catchment. Part 1 is here • Rainwater Harvesting O...
Almost twenty years ago, I set up this rainwater collection system out in the woods. Using about three hundred square feet of metal roofing to catch the rainwater, the water is run through a very coarse filter as it exits the gutter. Before flowing in to the two thousand (US) gallon storage tank, the water passes through a much finer filter and is chlorinated at the same time, using a slow dissolving chlorine puck normally used in pools and spas. Thus the collected water is cleansed of debris and other nasty stuff before it enters the storage tank. This, I think is key to successful acquisition and storage of rainwater. If the water is not clean before entering storage you are making extra work for yourself "downstream", assuming you intend to drink it. I have never had to clean the inside of the tank (which can be a dangerous job) or been afraid to drink the water after final treatment and filtration.
Of note, is the fact that the tank is pigmented (green in this case), which helps prevent sunlight activating growth of any kind in the precious water. White or clear tanks are not so great for blocking the harmful effects of sunlight. Especially during warm weather I monitor the chlorine content of the stored water. This is a quote from scientificamerican.com, "Chlorine effectively kills a large variety of microbial water-borne pathogens, including those that can cause typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera and Legionnaires' disease. Chlorine is widely credited with virtually eliminating outbreaks of water-borne disease in the United States and other developed countries. And Life magazine recently cited the filtration of drinking water and use of chlorine as "probably the most significant public health advance of the millennium"". It only takes a cupful of household bleach to effectively "shock" the water free of most pathogens. I usually do this on departure from the cabin and the residual chlorine then has time to dissipate prior to our return.
In case there is any residual chlorine in the supply, I again filter the water before use, using an activated charcoal cartridge in my Rainfresh household water filter. The result is a reliable source of fresh clean drinking water that literally falls out of the sky! No need to drill a well or construct unnecessarily complicated systems, electrical or otherwise.
The whole system runs on gravity; the storage tank is approximately 100' higher than the cabin. For every foot of elevation, water pressure below rises by .43 pounds per square inch, resulting in about 43 psi at the cabin level. The pressure is entirely sufficient to run the filtration system, a propane fired demand hot water heater and a hosepipe - all the water amenities of living in town.
Of course, with even a simple system such as this, some degree of maintenance is required. After all, you are running a small utility. Perhaps the biggest concern comes during the winter months, which in our part of the northern hemisphere can become freezing cold at times, potentially causing burst pipes, valves and filter bowls, if they are not properly drained in the fall. In the woods, tree debris falls on the roof and despite best efforts, gutters always clog too quickly. Water filters have to be exchanged once in a while and attention has to be paid to chlorination. However, basic maintenance is a small price to pay for such a life sustaining benefit.
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Once again, this is what works for me & as I describe, it is not without maintenance. Thanks for your observation...out in the woods, we need to observe the K.I.S.S. principle. Keeping things simple sometimes results in a certain elegance, although I need to work on the elegance part!
Too bad certain US states claim water belongs to the "collective". Land of the free, eh? Not.
Thanks again for your interest and your comments,
All the best,
M
Hi Russell;
Of course. Watch my first rainwater harvesting video "Rainwater Harvesting Off Grid". It gives a more comprehensive overview and describes how to ensure purity fit for drinking.
This video is a follow - up describing in more detail how I collect the water before storing it in the tank. More videos with other detailed aspects to follow as time permits.
Thanks for watching,
M
I appreciate your videos! I always go back to them! I am working towards my own off grid place!! Be blessed and be well!!
Thanks Vicki...
Good luck with your off-grid ambitions!
Cheers,
M
Part duo wonderful.
Thanks for watching!
M
WOW, to think of something this simple that works! Do you also have rain collection on your main house? Brilliant using the little chorine pucks, just right for the amount of storage you have. Outstanding job!
I subscribed.. Can't wait for another update..
Fantastic set up champ learnt a lot , I collect water for window cleaning so your kiss system works for me , THANKYOU cheers
Glad you enjoyed it!
M
Thank you. You have been a great help. I will start working on this project in July. I have two underground cistern tanks on a mountain in West Virginia and have water trucked in right now. A setup like yours will go a long way to off-set the need for all those truck runs. Thanks for this video - it's the only one I could find that covered non-roof capture.
Good luck with your (money saving) project!
Best Regards,
M
OK. your situation is very similar to mine - hey, we could be neighbours !
1st. freezing in a large polyethylene tank is not an issue in our climate.
Watch my vid :"Rainwater Harvesting Off Off Grid 1" for tips on frost proofing the filter I employ...your mileage may vary:-)
2nd. If you are not there during the freezing months, drain all the lines, especially the ones entering the cabin.
The winter you neglect to drain your supply lines is the coldest winter ever!!
Any more questions, just ask.
great setup man really enjoy your videos
Russ
Thanks for all your kind comments!
Cheers,
M
thanks for the gutter protection screen idea i,m going to put that in practice also the chlorine pluck idea, simple but smart thats what i like....
Some say the chlorine puck thing is harmful. In moderation, I say OK. Prevent detritus and bacterial infection entering storage, then purify through a carbon filter at point of use... and you're good to go.
No?
25 years off this..and I'm still alive!
cheers,
M
Came across your first rainwater vid by accident, then fllowed it up with this one. Great info. I live year 'round off the grid in southcentral Alaska - built my cabin in 1990-91. Had decided this winter that come summer it was high time I upgraded my rainwater collection beyond a 20 ft row of plastic trash cans and buckets under the eave. So timely that I found your great videos AND your continued connection and response to questions. I have a lot of useful info for my summer project!!! Thank you. [ Winter time I melt snow.]
Great Video. I may use this idea.
Thanks Shawn...use away!
Cheers,
M
Go to wikipedia & search "water chlorination"
Same search with Google too!
Regards,
M
Thanks for your compliment....and you are welcome.
Thanks to you for watching!
M
Oh my you really are a amazing I was just wondering if I could keep all the rain water that has actually fulfilled my pool and you just gave me another great idea, very informative.
Great videos Mark! I am planning on building a system like this in Eastern Washington at a vacation cabin. It can get very cold in the winter. Do you think I would have problems with a system like this there in winter? I would imagine I would have to worry about freezing. Do you think this system work freeze free if the tank and supply line to the cabin were below the frost line? Its just a weekend place so I was thinking of just going with a 250 gallon tank
Great video with excellent explanations. I subscribed. :)
Thanks for your kind words and your sub!
Regards,
M
Thats a awesome rain collection system!!
been working well for twenty years!
cheers,
M
2000 US Gallons...
Thanks for your great videos!
I live in Rhode Island (also near ocean). It almost never gets down to -10C here, but for days on end, can be below freezing in winter. This does not freeze water in 2000 gallon PolyEthylene tank? (Just want to make sure!)
Do you have any recommendations for tank, other than PE ?
Do you have instructions on building the catchment structure that surrounds storage tank?
Thanks so much!
Sharon
Hey, thanks for the sub!
Water collection arrangement is self contained up a hill so that gravity provides lots of pressure down below. Simple.
There is lots of opportunity for collection from the main cabin & workshop but electric pumps would be required to create a pressurised system. Effective but not as simple.
More updates coming as soon as I can....
...and thanks for watching :-)
M
It's exciting to plan a new place. Sounds like fun.
Thanks for playing video catch up!
Regards & good luck,
M
I really like your straight forward approach to your videos. No nonsense, and always great tips. Thanks
Wow, I'm glad to be of service. It looks as if you have a project on your hands - good luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing.
Regards,
M
Hi Sharon;
No Guarantee & your mileage will vary :-)
However, I don't see the water freezing to a solid block, especially if the tank is near full. Protecting supply lines may be more of an issue.
Your tank will have to be sourced locally, so just shop around...but I think you will find all are PE. Mine has provided good service for 25 years...and more to come.
No specific instructions on the catchment structure - just basic rustic carpentry and lots of cross bracing as you can see.
Good luck,
M
Now its working
Your system is simple but it's amazing and you are a genius man .
I am looking at setting up the same sort of system this summer so my outdoor garden has a water supply
Depending on the size of your garden, you may need lots of storage tanks!
Regards,
M
ty
Thanks for taking the time to do this, you didn't have to. If the water is for drinking, what about the microbio filtration?
Hey Anthony,
In this video, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSV7oP..., I describe what I do to purify the water.
Been drinking water from this system for 25 years & still alive!
Cheers,
M
Thank you I hope to learn a lot from you vids :) I'll be sure to ask questions as I put plans in place
Thanks, this is the only common sense result I have found for this problem. I live at 6,500 feet with evergreens all around me. I do have a metal roof. However I am concerned about the ice build-up. During a bad winter I will get ice extending to the ground from the drip edge of the roof. May have to install some sort of heat tape (Solar) .Resource lists are helpful. This can not be seen fro the road. Rules and regulations you know!
Hey larry, thanks for your interest.
Personally, I don't worry about ice build up, as fortunately it's not a big deal around here - usually. In this vid or this one,
ua-cam.com/video/vSV7oP43Fi8/v-deo.html&lc=z22zhz1gezmdflkf2acdp433u1lsnybwlfywbnha05pw03c010c&feature=em-comments
I describe what I do to relieve any ice pressure in the clear plastic filter bowl.
Thanks for watching & good luck with your system!
Cheers
M
Here's a better URL for the other video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSV7oP...
Ok thanks. I like your videos, you go into more detail and really explain things better than others I've watched.
Great second video, you answered my questions about the tree foilage and how you keep the majority of it out of the system. Here in Nevada we have a lot of dust and the first bit of rain run off usually has a lot of dirt in it. Do you have a dirt problem?
Not so much a dirt problem but around here there are a lot of trees, as you can see. Every time I clean the gutter and first coarse filter it disturbs some of the finer detritus which can clog the fine filter if I don't keep an eye on it.
Thanks for watching & taking the time to comment...
M
Quick thought....double or even triple up your layering of "gutter guard" under the roof to stop even more thistles from entering gutter....then,...add a "quick off cap" to the Distal or end part of your gutter to allow for quick 'departure' of said particles.
Good point.
Even as you suggest, at some point maintenance would be required, due to the volume of fir needles which constantly fall. I prefer to clean a little & often :-)
Cheers,
M
Hi
quite helpful, I have water stream during rainy season would like to utilise it to form a water reservoir but thinking of how to build a blocker to stop it and form a pond kind of structure around it. any suggestions. thanks in advance.
If you put a down spout to the ground with a ball valve at the botton and tee'd it off right below the gutter to run it to the tank the larger debris will settle to the bottom of the down spout. once a month you open the valve and drain the debris from the down spout then close the valve. This would give you another level of filtration for cheap.
Brilliant. I see you subscribe to the KISS principle :-)
I sense a modification coming on.
Thanks for the tip & thanks for watching!
Those needles seem a right pain in the "sphincter". How about using two layers of galvanised sheeting, one placed on top of the other but the top layer has holes or slits in it that are smaller than the pine needs? The water will go through the slits or holes and is collected by the sheet underneath and the top layer is smooth enough for all the needles to be washed off by normal rain. Ta dah!!
It's not just needles....there's a lot of other fine grunge that falls from the trees.
Thanks for your suggestion!
Cheers,
M
Is there a was for this to be potable, and for watering your garden.?
Thanks for the great videos! I came across this diverter idea a few days ago while looking for various rainwater harvesting ideas. Possibly, something like this could help you out to keep debris from clogging and entering your system. Natural Pool rainwater diverter - a small piece from a bicycle to survive the drought
Wow! Thanks for the link - very interesting & the guy is quite a humourist!
I have very little room between the collecting gutter & the top of my tank so the bucket thing will not fit. Brilliant though....
Cheers,
M
Hi I just found your vid while I was researching water catchment systems. What a great set up. Are you still available for questions? What size PVC pipes are you using from the gutter to the tank? What type/size pipes are being used from the tank to the cabin?
Immanuel United Methodist Church Thanks...Always available but not always this fast to respond! Gutter to tank pipe sizing was determined more by the thread arrangement on the in-line filter - I believe it's 1.5" and adequate. If you have a significantly larger catchment (roof) area, you may want to upgrade....maybe 2" or so.....with a correspondingly higher capacity filter. 1" black PVC is adequate down to the cabin, with smaller lines for distribution at points of use. Hope this helps....this is what works for me.
Cheers,
M
Love your videos man. the chlorine Puck is genius. do you think it would be safe for me to put that in my well water system? The water smells and tastes like ass. high sulfur content. they say it's safe to drink but it tastes like shit. I may have to run it to a larger tank like you have to prevent over chloronation. what are your thoughts?
Always thought something like this would work!
Thanks MUDDy...& thanks for the sub!
Regards,
M
Hi, I know this video is a few years old now, can I ask why you don’t have a first flush? I’m starting to build my system on my property in the gulf Islands this month and love your video, but keep seeing systems with and without first flush so I’m curious why some do and some don’t. Thank you
Hi there. We've had a question about how to continue collecting enough water during the winter months if one is in a northern region and completely off grid. Does the underside of snow melt fast enough to keep the tanks full, or is there some kind of system that can be installed to help melt the snow?
Love your videos, have subscribed and keep it coming in. I have noticed that audio of your voice comes only on one channel while the music is stereo. If you are recording mono please split it and output it as stereo. Easier on the ears!
Prem Bhaskar Thanks for you kind words & the sub. I'll investigate the audio issue - others have mentioned it - and see what I can do. I'm not intentionally recording mono, so not sure what's happening. Building water collection systems is easier than video editing!
Best Regards,
M
Most likely situation:
Since the situation exists on all your videos, it must be the the template setting on your editing software.
Check the PAN control(left, right or center) of the audio track just below your main video clips. Center the PAN Control and Save.
Your intro music track is centered and OK - just check.
Hope this resolves the issue.
Wonderful system you have there. How long does the small chlorine tab last? Is there a way to allow excess water to run off?
Chlorine puck lasts a month or two depending on temperature & water volume etc. There is an overflow pipe installed at the top of the tank.
Cheers,
M
Markerbuoy - On Canada's Left Coast
Is the chlorine puck a 1" or do you cut it down manually to fit in the bottom of the filter bowl?
I have been looking at Rusco Spin-Down filters like you have & their website said you need 40psi minimum to operate properly, but yours apparently seems to work fine just with the tiny pressure coming off the roof. That makes optimistic as with the water system I'm building, I'll only have about 2psi between the roof and the tank. Thanks for showing the filter & the whole setup. Sure wish I lived in an area like you do, it is beautiful. I am stuck in the Arizona desert in a suburb. Doing the best with what we have though.
Cheers,
W
Wolfgang1224 The chlorine puck just happens to fit nicely - just.
My Rusco is 20+ years old and I see they have modified their design somewhat. They have different filter mesh sizes available, so I would err on the side of larger mesh than smaller, given, like me, you have gravity feed. Don't forget the importance of a primary filter up in the gutter.
Given the windy rainstorm we just had, I could use a touch of Arizona desert right now - from here, it looks very appealing!
Cheers,
M
Markerbuoy - On Canada's Left CoastThanks fort he info. I got my Rusco in last week, a 2" model with a 100 mesh filter. I am building a 10-gallon first flush diverter into the system before it reaches the Rusco and there are no trees near my house that could put leaves onto the roof. I'm also making a bio sand filter to filter to take care of the viruses and bacteria and then UV final prior to drinking. I also bought a water test kit to see how good the water is after my system to make sure I didn't miss anything.I grew up in Colorado and miss the 4 seasons. If you'd like to trade, let me know. With the 6-months of sweating starting, I certainly would prefer snow. 8-)
Wolfgang1224 Wow! Quite a thorough job!
The one thing you don't need is the test kit - I guarantee your water will be 100% :-) :-)
How much rain DO you get down there & how big is your storage tank?
I'm looking to create a much smaller (large enough to accommodate about one person's water needs) but hopefully similar system. However I will be unable to use gravity in the same way, as I will have to situate the appliances close to the collector. I would be very appreciative of any advice you could offer on the construction,
thank you.
I have a friend with a cabin and no hill, like you. His main storage tank is at ground level but he has a "supply tank" about 20' up a tower. Once in a while, he pumps water up to fill the supply tank and gravity feeds water to his system until the supply tank is depleted. This way, the pump (12v) is not running every time the tap is opened.
It is surprising how little water one needs when not flushing toilets or running showers but it's alway a good idea to go big on storage if you ever need to expand...and you probably will :-)
Good luck with everything,
M
Hey, thanks for the compliment...we aim to please :-)
Regards,
M
Great videos! I'm out on the west coast too. and I am wanting to set up a similar system with 2 tanks 1 for my Horses and one for domestic water. My biggest concern is running out of water. Have you ever run out of water? How long do those little chlorine pucks last? Have you ever used Bromine pucks?
***** Hi Denis;We are not full time off grid, but spend as much time as possible at the property, all year round.
The antidote to running dry is bigger storage & a larger catchment area! Sounds like you are on the right track.
The chlorine puck in the filter lasts a long time. As long as the water is clean when it enters the tank, the occasional chlorine (bleach) shock will take care of the pathogens, if any are present. No, I have not used bromine, 'cos I don't have to.
Thanks for watching!
Cheers,
M
Subbed! Great channel, appreciate your patient descriptions and pithy style. It would be easier if I simply moved out your way but alas, we live on the prairies in Eastern Manitoba and this would have to be buried or used summers only. To your knowledge can these be buried? Would like to try this small scale on a shack we have in the bush which is high and dry unless there's snow and a fire in the wood stove. Drinking soft rain water is basically devoid of minerals, do you add minerals some other way into your diet or is that necessary?
Hey, thanks for the sub!...and your kind words....
If you are referring to the storage tank, there would be no problem burying it - presumably, you would like to avoid freeze up?
We don't get excited about minerals or lack thereof - a well rounded diet takes care of all that stuff :-)
Been drinking this water for over twenty years & we're still here!
Best Regards,
M
Markerbuoy - On Canada's Left Coast Yes, all water tanks have to be buried, frost can penetrate up to 4' around here so it's a whole different ball game! That's encouraging about the drinking water.
Sorry about that but it's working just fine at my end...I don't know how I can help.
Good luck,
M
great video... question, how did you connect the pvc fitting to your gutters ?
I usually start with a 2" ABS cleanout fitting and use it's modified screw-in flange cap to secure it in the bottom of the gutter. I modify the cap by drilling away most of the centre to allow the collected water to drain. This (or some variation) does a much better job than conventional cheapo drainpipe fittings. Hope this helps.
M
I am planning to build a similar rain collection system.
I'm looking to buy a 91" h by 95" w tank. Would 12' posts, 2' in cement thus 10' in height for the back and 10' posts, 2' in cement thus 8' for the front in height be sufficient for the main supports? The roof support posts 4x4's, 2x4's for corrugated roof supports?
Suggestions?
+John Worrell
Sounds good. No need to bury posts in concrete (if I understand your description correctly)...use post saddles www.rona.ca/en/post-base-hanger-0348092--1
Diagonal bracing between posts will ensure the structure is rigid...but make sure you slide the tank in first!
Good luck!
M
What do you do in wenter time when its frezing out side and how you pump the water to the washing sistem and the shower sistem as will i wed like to know what you do fore elctrck and thank you
Hi Andy;
Full disclosure; We are not full time off grid. Here in the Pacific NW winters are usually mild due to the moderating effect of the ocean. We are not usually present in severe weather and to mitigate potential damage I drain the water system, except for the storage tank.
I use no electricity to pump water as gravity does all the necessary work.
I have a solar system installed for lighting & for heavier loads I run a Honda 3000 generator.
Hope this helps...
Regards,
M
thank you for explaining the fine mesh filter in more detail! great video
You are most welcome :-)
Regards,
M
what kind of filer is that and how much did u get it for?
Any chance you have a list. I'd love to know which specific filters/products you are using both for pre and post filtration.
Pre filter: www.rusco.com/index.php/product1/spin-down-and-sediment-trapper-filters
Post filtration: www.homehardware.ca/en/taste-and-odour-water-filter/p/3115088?page=category%20page#ccode=13220
How does the chlorine work?
what about bird droppings? is there a solution to that?
If you properly chlorinate your stored water, there should be no problem.
We drink our water from the tap, as I show in the video - 20+ years & no issues.
Regards,
M
How much and how often do you add chlorine to the filter?
I've got a question. What size is the mesh do you have on the filter going into the tank.
Hi Toby,
I'm not sure of the actual mesh size. I bought the filter years ago at my local water/irrigation supply house - it's what they gave me :-)
www.rusco.com/index.php/product1/spin-down-and-sediment-trapper-filters - maybe give Rusco a call & explain your need...they should be able to help.
Cheers,
M
...standing by...& thanks again for the sub!
M
Ya did it but the color of my water is whitish
:-)
I'm living your channel. I really appreciate you sharing what you've learned over the years with us.
I'm getting ready to start using rain barrels more seriously because I love in a small, dry cabin in an urban location... since my dwelling is technically illegal I can't hook up to existing pipes and I'd rather have something that doesn't soley rely on the grid. Basically we've had one rain barrel (somewhere around 30 gallons) and all we use it for is watering the garden. I'd like to set up a system that would feed into my shack that would be safe enough to use for all purposes.
Long explanation to ask: how much has your set up cost you? And how much do you think it would cost to do now? I understand we are in different areas in many ways, but I'm just curious.
You don't have to answer, but again thanks so much for your videos.
Hi Amanda;
Maybe you need to separate the garden storage from potable storage. For the potable storage, maybe a larger tank would be in order - you would have to price out a tank depending on local suppliers. My pre filter is a Rusco tinyurl.com/kjwnbwj
Downstream,use this or equivalent with an activated charcoal filter cartridge www.rainfresh.ca/sediment_filters.php
The two filters should be no more than $200 (approx) + the price of whatever tank you purchase or scrounge (!)
If you do not have sufficient fall from the storage tank to create gravity pressure, you may need to install an electric (12v or other) pump to pressure the water through your charcoal filter and on to your faucet.
Hope this helps :-)
Everyone's mileage will vary...
Cheers,
M
Markerbuoy - On Canada's Left Coast thanks ;-)
Thank you for the response. One additional question - what mesh size filter do you recommend?
Here's a handy table tinyurl.com/3274avs
I honestly don't know the mesh size of my unit. A large mesh size lets in too much debris & a super fine mesh will be very effective but may clog more quickly. As with many things, I would recommend a "middle of the road" approach. Your local water services supplier would be a great help & heck, give Rusco a call - they should be the best help of all!
Sorry I can't be more specific :-)
M
Cheers :-)
Can you tell who makes the filter you have between the gutter and tank?
www.rusco.com/index.php/product1/spin-down-and-sediment-trapper-filters
heers,
M
All I Hear is the music?????????
how did you get that tank into the woods that far?
+william roberts
Ha ha....me & five other guys rolled it up the hill. Not too difficult - the plastic tanks are surprisingly light & easy to maneuver this way.
Thanks for watching,
M
Yes sir thank you, and thank you for taking the time to make the video. I guess what I meant was, did you just take it as far as you could with your vehicle, and then roll it in? Or pack it in? or maybe I didnt notice if the homestead was closer to the road than I thought.. anyway, thank you!
+william roberts
If you watch this ua-cam.com/video/vSV7oP43Fi8/v-deo.html , at the start, behind me through the trees, is the ocean. The tank was transported by a small barge & dumped on the beach. We rolled the tank up the rocky beach and all the way up the hill, along the path I walk to where the tank now sits. We have no roads and no dock - water access only on a small Canadian Gulf Island.
Cheers,
M
May I ask how much it cost to set that whole system up?
Hi Sacha;
I set up the system almost twenty years ago, so my prices are sure to be out of date...
The tank was $1400 and 400' of 1" pipe was under $100. Filter, valves & connecting hardware will add a few hundred $ more.
Sorry I can't be more specific. My advice is to buy the proper equipment that does a good job...you won't regret it. Going cheap is rarely satisfying in the end.
Regards,
M
How are you updating your posts if you live in the woods?
Full disclosure: We are not yet full time Out In The Woods :-)
Ha ha ha....hope you make it soon. Maybe Internet through your mobile phone will be available one day and we can get updates when you go "hard core!"
Alan Russell ...and you??
Look up "sediment filter" at watersourceusa(dot)com. Mine is very similar but pricier here in Canada.
Cheers,
M
Personally I would get rid of the background music. It's a distraction.