Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Rainwater Harvesting | Things The Books Won't Tell You

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
  • Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Rainwater Harvesting | Things The Books Won't Tell You
    These are some issues we've run into when setting up a rainwater harvesting system. They might be easily overlooked but important to consider.
    …………………………..Subscribe to our channel…………………………….
    tinyurl.com/y7oe684o
    …………………………….See more of us online………………………………..
    Website: greendreamproject.org/
    Facebook: / greendreamproject1
    Instagram: / greendreamproject
    TikTok: / greendreamproject
    Twitter: / gdproject1
    …………………………………..Contact us…………………………………………...
    Mail:
    Green Dream Project
    PO Box 203
    McNeal, AZ 85617
    Message: greendreamproject.org/contact
    ……………………………………..Questions…………………………………………
    • Join us Thursdays on UA-cam to chat with us and ask your questions live!
    • Take a look at frequently asked questions about us and what we do:
    greendreamproject.org/faqs
    ………………………………..Ways to help………………………………………
    Helps our daily off-the-grid expenses, video making, and future projects
    • Remember to like and share videos, and subscribe if you haven’t
    • Become a Green Dream Project channel member: / @ourselfreliantlife
    • Jessica and her mom have a shop with hand-made art and jewelry:
    gdp.storenvy.com
    • Shirts, merchandise, and digital products (with original designs by us!)
    teespring.com/stores/green-dr...
    • Our Amazon wish list:
    www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...
    • Paypal:
    paypal.me/GreenDreamProject
    ……………………………Help Support our Non-profit……………………
    Helps with business expenses and future programs that support our mission of educating and helping others to live sustainably
    • Make a donation (click the donate button on our home page):
    greendreamproject.org/
    • Set your Amazon Smile account to support Green Dream Project:
    smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4852319
    We are Jim and Jessica, a husband and wife team who made the leap from city life to an off-grid homestead in Southern Arizona. We've started this lifestyle equipped only with two Permaculture Design Certificates and a whole lot of determination.
    We’d like to share our journey of starting a sustainable homestead from scratch with all its ups, downs, and lessons learned. Watch us take on the challenge of modern homesteading, off-grid life, and turning this barren piece of land into a desert oasis.
    #greendreamproject #rainwaterharvesting #offgrid

КОМЕНТАРІ • 262

  • @ourselfreliantlife
    @ourselfreliantlife  2 роки тому +6

    Don't forget you can find us on Instagram here: 🔹️ instagram.com/greendreamproject
    🔸️And Facebook here:
    facebook.com/greendreamproject1
    🔹️Check out our Facebook group here: facebook.com/groups/greensteaders/

  • @vincentalaimo7527
    @vincentalaimo7527 2 роки тому +43

    If you’re going to use silicone please use aquarium safe silicone… other silicones have toxins in them.

    • @thebirdsnest9396
      @thebirdsnest9396 2 роки тому +3

      Great warning. Thanks.

    • @lmlowe9100
      @lmlowe9100 2 роки тому +3

      @@sandhills2344 maybe he does care about toxins but didn't realize there were toxins in either...or maybe he plans some type of filtration system down the road.

    • @bigglilwayne7050
      @bigglilwayne7050 Рік тому +1

      E -6000 and/or NP-1 are by far the best

  • @christineherrmann205
    @christineherrmann205 2 роки тому +22

    This video made me wonder why you guys didn't drain the poly tanks while there was no rain and move them closer to shed, so that initial catchment was poly tanks with cistern as overflow? Probably something I'm missing.

    • @honthirty_
      @honthirty_ 2 роки тому +3

      The poly tanks are their ONLY supply of water. That is why they didnt drain them.

  • @hilaireoloughlin
    @hilaireoloughlin 11 місяців тому +9

    Simple, no pretence, straight to the point. Thanks for the great tips.

    • @jensv874
      @jensv874 8 днів тому

      Best tip I can give you is dont use plastic tanks but concrete. Concrete counteract/neutralise acid rain water.

  • @wdwerker
    @wdwerker 2 роки тому +6

    Always wise to listen to folks who learned the hard way !

  • @theupsideofdownsizing
    @theupsideofdownsizing 2 роки тому +16

    Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us Jim! It looks like you have your system really dialed in. Let the rain begin!

    • @ourselfreliantlife
      @ourselfreliantlife  2 роки тому +5

      It's definitely a lot better. I think going as simple as possible is always the way to go. Much more sustainable and less chances of things going wrong.

  • @lnwolf41
    @lnwolf41 2 роки тому +6

    Why not get a couple of 55 gallon drums, use the first one for a debris filter, the second one fills 3/4 before dumping into your other tanks.
    Some people set up a diverter, so the first 5 gallons dump on the ground taking all the crap with it, so you just get clean rainwater.

  • @deborahmcsweeney1650
    @deborahmcsweeney1650 2 роки тому +13

    We studied with Billy Kniffen who was with Texas A&M Extension. I think he trained the guy who wrote those books. We got a book from Billy called Rainwater Harvesting Planning and Installation offered through Texas A&M Extension. It has so much critical information that we call it our rain water bible. LoL! You might look for it! I hope your tanks fill up this summer!

  • @Doitgood52
    @Doitgood52 2 роки тому +4

    There is no substitute for good planning/design 🔥⛈🦠

  • @donaldwarriner1640
    @donaldwarriner1640 10 місяців тому +5

    You're so articulate with thoughtful presentation that inspires me to do this in the future. Thank you.

  • @robertbuckley9303
    @robertbuckley9303 2 роки тому +22

    Great video! These are tips that would be hard to anticipate without the experience that you've gained the hard way. One of the functions of any pioneer is to scout the territory and report back to the folks following behind. Thanks for breaking trail.

  • @Mouse2677
    @Mouse2677 2 роки тому +10

    Nothing will seal the gutter when they are 100" long as the expansion and contraction of the Aluminum is going to either take the joints apart or take the screws loose and then they come down.

    • @TerraFirmaX
      @TerraFirmaX 2 роки тому +5

      hmmm, that's a good point.

    • @kebertxela941
      @kebertxela941 2 роки тому +1

      Hopefully that will take a couple years(or better a few),might be a good time to start a fund to start saving to replace.

    • @ard8785
      @ard8785 2 роки тому +1

      Gutters don't need sealants esp.
      IF they are properly spaced and placed, correctly angled and sloped and well-placed proper supports. Sealants have chemicals which are dangerous to health and unsafe for drinking... I am speaking from experience. Many decades thriving on rain-water for drinking and other house use from my rain-catcher.

  • @StoneKathryn
    @StoneKathryn 2 роки тому +4

    Thanks Jim for going over how you have changed your system since the first time you were harvesting rain water. I really enjoyed this.

  • @teddiriggs517
    @teddiriggs517 2 роки тому +3

    Flex seal....yeah baby! Glad you used it.😁

  • @CherylSpelts
    @CherylSpelts 2 роки тому +6

    Can you show us how much you've collected with the last week of storms? I am so looking forward to seeing the payoff, to all your work, with rainwater pouring into those plastic tanks! :)

    • @ourselfreliantlife
      @ourselfreliantlife  2 роки тому +4

      It's dark in the poly tanks, but I know we've collected close to 500 gallons so far.

  • @kennethalmond8922
    @kennethalmond8922 2 роки тому +13

    Great video. One thing I notice is those looooong horizontal stretches of pipe over the cistern. They will sag within a year based on my experience. This may be OK for you and if not, think about support to keep them straight before they kind of melt-sag based on sun :)

    • @foamer443
      @foamer443 2 роки тому +1

      Good point and being black won't help.

  • @capistranogardener6100
    @capistranogardener6100 2 роки тому +7

    Jim...great job!!! May I suggest that you form the filter screens over a ball or cone before installing them...that way any debris will deflect and not clog the screen. Keep up the great work...very inspiring indeed.

  • @elizabethblane201
    @elizabethblane201 2 роки тому +7

    Such a great, organized, concise video. Seriously underrated channel!

  • @hirsutusi5536
    @hirsutusi5536 2 роки тому +8

    It might be wise to add a cleanable U trap between the horizontal collector pipe and the down-across-up link to the tank farm. Your filters will keep out most bugs and big particles but dust and sand may get through and over time block that underground gray pipe.

  • @bruce-le-smith
    @bruce-le-smith 22 дні тому

    super informative, thank you!!

  • @ChennaiPaiyan739
    @ChennaiPaiyan739 28 днів тому

    Thank you it was helpful to generate my system in the woods 🎉

  • @jacklily999
    @jacklily999 14 днів тому

    Well spoken thoughtful video. Thank you for sharing all these tips. You might have read Geoff Lawton, an expert on water retention for soil.

  • @captnjerry4950
    @captnjerry4950 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This will help many!

  • @kezzatries
    @kezzatries 2 роки тому +1

    If you put the screens at a slight angle the water will clean off the debri as it flows into the pipe

  • @jayfroman3257
    @jayfroman3257 5 місяців тому

    I like making dirt, catching rain and converting sunshine into energy. I have other hobbies but those are among my favorites.

  • @bobjoatmon1993
    @bobjoatmon1993 2 роки тому +13

    I'd be interested in how much water you end up getting in the underground cistern (during the monsoon season)
    Also, please answer why you didn't move the poly tanks closer to the end of the shed (between the shed and underground cistern) as that would have simplified your piping considerably

    • @bobjoatmon1993
      @bobjoatmon1993 2 роки тому

      @@onlyscience7120 yes, that's theory
      I'm asking what he ACTUALLY got

    • @bobjoatmon1993
      @bobjoatmon1993 2 роки тому +2

      @@onlyscience7120 that's ridiculous logic.
      I'm not asking for that level of precision and no one else expects that either.
      I lived in a RV for years and know about what a person uses per day on average and it's 8 to 20 gallons. Yes, they've got plants and livestock but the day after a rain in that large of an underground cistern their use MIGHT be 1/10 of an inch, if that.
      So a BALLPARK estimate of the water he captured is entirely feasible and practical.

  • @drgunsmith4099
    @drgunsmith4099 2 роки тому +2

    Great explanation 🙏

  • @duwomaiishgabrielle9498
    @duwomaiishgabrielle9498 2 роки тому +2

    ❤️❤️I love you two! You are so down to earth! 😂😂it’s such a wonderful undertaking!

  • @davec9244
    @davec9244 2 роки тому

    jest gutters, live in Oregon have to clean my gutters twice a year they plug up, I know down in your neck of the woods no gutter on any houses you are going the right direction thanks

  • @ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune
    @ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune 2 роки тому +2

    Awesome video thanks for sharing

  • @dethmaul
    @dethmaul 2 роки тому

    I didn't know that about silicone, thanks!

  • @tessahugo5448
    @tessahugo5448 2 роки тому +1

    It`s always such a pleasure looking at your videos.. I really love all Jess arts, she is so talented. Love all the types of work that you do, we can learn from you.
    Cape Town South Africa

  • @MissouriOldTimer
    @MissouriOldTimer 2 роки тому +5

    might want to avoid making gutters out of concrete..lol

  • @gerardvriend729
    @gerardvriend729 24 дні тому

    I could tell you a few ideas. Harvesting water, not only collecting rain.

  • @ncooty
    @ncooty 19 днів тому

    Great video.
    Totally agree about Brad Lancaster's books.

  • @lukeblackford1677
    @lukeblackford1677 Місяць тому

    Thank you.

  • @KrissBartlett
    @KrissBartlett 2 роки тому +1

    Good Job there Jim !!!!

  • @kezzatries
    @kezzatries 2 роки тому +2

    You should also put a slight down turn on your sheets of iron, this will stop water running back under the panels

  • @32braveheart
    @32braveheart 2 роки тому +1

    First the new Cat pants last episode and now baseball catcher's pants. 8:09
    Could be time to say goodbye to the highwaters. 5:34.

  • @jimh4167
    @jimh4167 2 роки тому

    Ha I have a request
    Please
    You have a large rain roof
    With a wet drain to your tanks
    When you get heavy rain..
    With your rain gauge
    You can monitor the flow in the 4inch PVC. If If hits maximum flow
    the screened tees in your system should over flow
    And which ones started / where over flowing
    If you can keep tract of those numbers
    That could help some of us designing a similar system..
    ,(I have read what the books say their flow rate should be
    But yours is the real world)
    👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
    Thank You

  • @jefferybublitz7968
    @jefferybublitz7968 2 роки тому +1

    Hello friend, I've watched about 8 episodes of ur efforts out there, & I'm enjoying ur progress, as ur moving along. That 14,000 gallon cistern was an impressive build. Nice design too.***!!! Love Brthrn Jeff B.

  • @cjsmith1760
    @cjsmith1760 2 роки тому +1

    Mistakes a master it makes.

  • @lmlowe9100
    @lmlowe9100 2 роки тому +4

    Two questions...
    1) Why didn't you build your pole barn high enough to park your RVs under?
    2a) Why drop down to (under)ground level, the ten foot section at the end of your gutter run?
    2b) Why not just run the pipe straight across to the cistern and then over to the black holding tanks? (Ok, technically three questions...lol}
    Thanks and I enjoy your videos.

    • @foamer443
      @foamer443 2 роки тому +1

      My thoughts precisely. Adding those four? extra 90's plus the rise on the other side will be a huge resistor in the water flow.
      Installing a pipe stand either beside or on top of the cistern I think would have been far more practical and probably less work in the end.

    • @TripleBRanch
      @TripleBRanch Рік тому

      I thought the same thing. As he was saying “keep it simple”, he’s got that drop, 10’(?) stretch underground and then 6’+ back up to the top of the cistern. Why not just run that span overhead? 🤔

  • @thelonghorncow5084
    @thelonghorncow5084 4 місяці тому

    Thanks for sharing! Most of Arizona have desert like environment but I wonder Why people/you don't live in the Northern part like Flagstaff areas??

  • @robertvincent4847
    @robertvincent4847 2 роки тому +2

    I do not know if you do J but if you don't have a screen over your over flow pipe as you do all your inlets it will allow all things alive small enough to get into your water

    • @jmbpinto73
      @jmbpinto73 2 роки тому +1

      From where i see, the second overflow pipe is redundant, as it's about the same level as the overflow opening at the other pipe.

  • @scottrobinson491
    @scottrobinson491 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you guys for your time and energy in sharing your journey with us.

  • @anthonyromero2605
    @anthonyromero2605 2 роки тому

    Thank you so much for your humerus you and knowledge

  • @glines
    @glines 2 роки тому +6

    I live in Bermuda and every house in Bermuda has a tank underneath it and catch is it’s own rainwater.
    You should do some research on the gutters we use on our Bermuda roofs. I think you will want Do what we do on your domes

  • @jellyellis6813
    @jellyellis6813 2 роки тому +1

    Love yall

  • @chriswhinery
    @chriswhinery Рік тому

    Take the hit, and simplify your system.
    Drain those poly tanks into the cistern and move them.
    Also, consider putting a T in your pipe for a drop down clean out.

  • @johnconnor6725
    @johnconnor6725 18 днів тому

    I'll be using UV lights and silver to try to make the water safer. Also will be solar boiling to distill it and If that isn't enough my excess wind power will help distill it

  • @bobbebbington5356
    @bobbebbington5356 2 роки тому +1

    Jim, if you are anything like me you will do it at least three times before you get it right. The system you have should work well but you will have fine dirt build up in the pipe underground which will be a problem over time. Build a diverter to catch the first flush and this should solve the problem.

  • @dyannejohnson6184
    @dyannejohnson6184 Рік тому

    Yep thumps up here too!

  • @PAINFOOL13
    @PAINFOOL13 2 роки тому

    Learning by Doing 👍🏻

  • @TheHebrew
    @TheHebrew 2 роки тому

    At least you are getting some good rain this year, here in Sierra Vista, we didn't get a lot last year. This year is another story as I'm sure you know.

  • @bfox5767
    @bfox5767 2 роки тому +1

    It looks great! I hope you collect a whole lot of water from your system.

  • @conquererification
    @conquererification 11 місяців тому

    Dreamed of moving out there before I moved. When googling the areas I always saw these gaint green circles. I hope those who can drain wells are listening and
    reevaluate thier systems.
    Will check out your other vid and pick up a copy of those books.
    Thanks

  • @TheApricate371
    @TheApricate371 2 роки тому +1

    Hi guys , I'm far from being a expert like some of the people so I'll just follow along and pay attention .
    Keep it close , keep it simple.....gotcha👍

  • @CBsGreenhouseandGarden
    @CBsGreenhouseandGarden 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks for the tips Mr. Jim. Time to catch some water now! Good luck and keep us updated.

  • @andrewyang1446
    @andrewyang1446 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for the video! Was recently wondering about filtering the water from harvesting which might contain bird poop. Would love to see a video on how people treat harvested water. Thanks!

  • @elainenilsson5472
    @elainenilsson5472 2 роки тому

    Sweeping 90, good idea.

  • @direbearcoat7551
    @direbearcoat7551 2 роки тому +6

    Why does the pipe go all the way down into the ground before going back up again?? Why not just let it go straight across before making that turn to the black water tanks?

    • @dethmaul
      @dethmaul 2 роки тому

      He said that in the other video. The scaffolding would get in the way.

  • @samyoungblood3740
    @samyoungblood3740 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you both for sharing your experiences in this whole process.

  • @Mwaidavid
    @Mwaidavid 8 місяців тому

    As a young farmer...you have really inspired

  • @malcolm2587
    @malcolm2587 22 дні тому

    You can reduce the seams on your gutter buy trimming at one end of gutter and slipping it into the other end you go from two seams to one that way and were the downspouts come through the gutter you merely have to poke a hole through the gutter or cutting x and then bend the flaps down and attach downspout to that they do have 2 inch drop-ins where you use a 2 inch hole saw in the bottom of the gutter attached to downspouts

  • @jmbpinto73
    @jmbpinto73 2 роки тому +9

    Someday in the future, You could expand the roof a bit to cover the RVs, and colect a bit more rain while saving the RVs roof from the scorching sun.

    • @bobjoatmon1993
      @bobjoatmon1993 2 роки тому +1

      Well, hopefully eventually they will move into the earth bag house and not be living in the RV at all.

  • @rafaelborrego36
    @rafaelborrego36 Місяць тому

    Screens at 45 degrees in the horizontal will auto clean and a chain might help the water get in

  • @dilsaliosatos8797
    @dilsaliosatos8797 2 роки тому

    Tank you for you information

  • @BR1967FE
    @BR1967FE 2 роки тому

    great information 😎

  • @phillaboody260
    @phillaboody260 2 роки тому

    Have you considered how you are going to clean out the pipes you put underground? and the sand and dirt on the roof will find its way into the lowest point in the pipes and that is underground.
    You might want to consider putting a 'First Flush' system in as that would be much easier to clean.

  • @tortugalisa4748
    @tortugalisa4748 2 роки тому

    Thanks guys💯💙

  • @diasporareturnee
    @diasporareturnee 2 роки тому

    Thanks for these! Very helpful

  • @petersamios5409
    @petersamios5409 3 місяці тому

    Thanks for the information. You are absolutely correct about the hard 90's - you want to avoid those, You may want to split to multiple 30's or 45's to make the bends and limit those. Also, as someone else mentioned, I'd move the two tanks closer to the roof. I'd also cover them to try and keep the water cooler and less evaporation.
    Why the exposed black pipe- is that for cold nights?

  • @allthingsgrowing
    @allthingsgrowing Рік тому

    I'm curious.
    Can you tell me a little bit about your water treatment over time?
    Do you have to treat water for algae or anything? Like adding tablets? Etc?

  • @Tunzbig
    @Tunzbig Рік тому

    Thanks for Taking the time to make this

  • @hq7108
    @hq7108 9 місяців тому

    Thank you

  • @ahbushnell1
    @ahbushnell1 2 роки тому

    Great video

  • @georgetucker336
    @georgetucker336 2 роки тому

    Great information.

  • @RVBadlands2015
    @RVBadlands2015 2 роки тому

    Super good info when I set up my rain water harvesting.

  • @tanja8907
    @tanja8907 2 роки тому

    Thank you sir.

  • @anapilarshaw2823
    @anapilarshaw2823 2 роки тому

    Thank you Jim and Jessica for sharing your rainwater harvesting experience. These are very helpful considerations and I appreciate your generosity. ❤

  • @joansmith3492
    @joansmith3492 2 роки тому

    super good video!! great info. I hope it makes you lots of money.

  • @paulaaron1109
    @paulaaron1109 2 роки тому

    Jim. Excellent video. Straight to the point. Thank you.

  • @jeanhawken4482
    @jeanhawken4482 2 роки тому

    Research is the way to go. Your doing a good job

  • @carolynchatham6338
    @carolynchatham6338 2 роки тому

    Good suggestions

  • @brucestmartin777
    @brucestmartin777 2 роки тому

    Such a ambitious and ingenious system.. just amazing Jim .

  • @farmyourbackyard2023
    @farmyourbackyard2023 2 роки тому

    Great job on this video.

  • @brusselsprout5851
    @brusselsprout5851 Рік тому

    Amazing trailblazing!

  • @beachlife9419
    @beachlife9419 2 роки тому

    Nice 👍👍👍👍 work

  • @EricWhiteChooseGod1st
    @EricWhiteChooseGod1st 2 роки тому

    Beautiful rainbow. Very well thought out, I appreciate the tip about the 90's most.

  • @catgynt9148
    @catgynt9148 2 роки тому +2

    Thanks for sharing this video and your rainwater harvest tips. How often do you sweep the perimeter of the cistern roof to minimize dust and dirt from entering your cistern? Wishing you and Jessica a blessed summer season with abundant rain and moderate sleeping temperatures. Peace brother.

  • @MH-cj1gz
    @MH-cj1gz 2 роки тому

    You said it best. K.I.S.S. Method. I hope monsoon season fills your tanks.

  • @saintracheljarodm.holy-kay2560
    @saintracheljarodm.holy-kay2560 2 роки тому +1

    Good usable information, take care and God bless amen.

  • @jimh4167
    @jimh4167 2 роки тому +2

    System looks great
    If you find the 4 inch screens building up with dirt
    They make 4" to 6" PVC adaptors
    Might help with clogging
    Also if some of you may have problems thinking these sweeps may be to restrictive
    In electrical the 4" PVC sweeps have a much larger radius

  • @PaullaWells
    @PaullaWells 2 роки тому

    I hope to build a small system for my garden one day. I appreciate the info. Thank you!

  • @tropicalshrimp
    @tropicalshrimp 2 роки тому

    thank you

  • @kevinwilliams8662
    @kevinwilliams8662 2 роки тому

    Enjoyed the show

  • @FresnoJoe2
    @FresnoJoe2 2 роки тому

    Amen~!

  • @janettaylor3182
    @janettaylor3182 2 роки тому

    Good to see you'll be saving and using you're own water supply and looks good how you've done it to me...I understood why you changed it now from the old system all trail and error but that's how you learn love watching you both always amazing 👏

  • @mikeunum
    @mikeunum 8 місяців тому

    Very well done but logical things to think about.