"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Saturday 24 June 2017

Rain water harvesting installation

I am a member of two facebook groups which try to assist people in the Western Cape, as well as the rest of South Africa, with regards to drought solutions - namely Water Shedding SA and Water Shortage South Africa.  I know that most of this will be of interest to South African readers, but, perhaps everyone should be aware of, and will benefit from how to help themselves to become more self-sufficient with regards to their water - and it's storage - especially rain water.  Water is our most precious comodity - more valuable than gold, diamonds, oil or anything else considered precious by mankind.

In those groups I have read so many posts from people asking who can install their rain water tanks. I think the "lack of knowledge" and cost implication (of firstly purchasing the tank, and then the additional cost of getting a company to come and do the installation / gutter link up) may be preventing people from installing a rain water tank. So I thought I would share the simplicity of it.
For those of you are new readers of my blog, here is some background: we live on a 2 Ha smallholding and we have installed 9 X 5 000lt tanks over the past 7 - 8 years.
Our potable water is directed from our mains pipe into the top of
 the potable water storage tank
 As our "mains" water supply is erratic (either Overberg Water has "pump" / Escom power supply problems or farmers accidentally plough up the main line - this happens quite frequently) so we have dedicated one X 5 000 lt tank to potable water. Given the aforementioned causes of possible breaks in our potable water supply, water independence / security is therefore imperative for us - especially in the heat of summer.
Details of water connection from pump to the house, and our
 power source to the pump
Of the remaining 8 X tanks, 3 X tanks are positioned at the end of gutters and collect rainwater and the balance of 5 X tanks are postioned on the higher parts of the land in order to irrigate via gravity and / or pump.
A secure base is vital for a water storage tank
Please ensure that you either position your tank on a (smooth) concrete slab, a square of level pavers, or a good 10cm thick bed of gravel (please ensure that there are NO SHARP GRAVEL POINTS sticking up or they could puncture the tank).
Our tank / pump connection
1 000lt (filled weight is 1 ton), 2000 lt (filled weight is 2 tons) or 5 000lt (filled weight is 5 ton) tanks are heavy when they are full, and when the ground beneath them is wet from (hopefully good 😀👍👍 ) rains, the risk of the tank falling sideways / collapsing is a possibility IF the tank isn't sitting level. This definitely applies to a clay soil - as clay is "volatile" when very wet.


Two pics showing one of the two types of valves we used - in these pictures the image on the left with the handle pointing upwards, the valve is closed and in the image on the right showing the handle lying parallel to the valve, the the valve is open.

When you purchase your tank(s) ask the supplier for the specific water tank fitting requirements. Then, either get them to supply those parts, or get the tank supplier to write them down and take that list to your local hardware store. Don't forget the plumbers tape - to seal ALL the connection threads 😀  The majority of tank fittings are 40mm - both the inlet and outlet points. If you want to reduce that outlet size in order to connect a normal garden hosepipe, then your hardware store will know, and supply you with those fittings as long as you know the diameter of garden hose that you use. From tank outlet fitting size of 40mm to 1/2 inch garden hose = 12mm fittings, or 3/4 inch garden hose are 19mm fittings.
You will see two different valves in the pics - a plastic one and a metal one. Either valve can be used quite easily and is only dependent on what your hardware store stocks.
Cutting the water tank lid in order to insert the gutter downpipe can be achieved with the use of a utility / Stanley knife. Mark out the gutter profile on the lid, drill a "start" hole and cut away...
Shadecloth filter catching debris from our roof and preventing it
 from entering the tank
We use a piece of 80% shadecloth as our debris fiter and it works well. Hooking it over the water tank lid securing pin "protrusions" ensures that it is held in place.
It's easy to cut a hole in the top of the tank lid with a utility or
 Stanley knife
Also, when the lid is in position the "close fit" adds to that shadecloth filter position securiity. Ours have not moved in 7 - 8 years. Emptying the debris is as simple as lifting off the piece of shadecloth, shaking off the debris, and replacing the shadelcoth over the tank securing pin protrusions.
The lid helps to keep the shadecloth in position
First flushes are also easy to install and, if you go that route, I would recommend that you have a large mouthed valve at the end of the first flush pipe in order to facilitate easy expulsion / removal of the debris. Please remember to use a PVC weld if you are joining fittings with no thread. This is also obtainable from your hardware store.
Open source diagram of a first flush system
Another first flush diagram
If you want / need to connect your tank to your house you will need a pump and the knowledge of how to do this. If you do not know how to do this, ONLY then you would need to call on the services of a plumber.
I recommend a wide mouthed valve at the end of your first flush
 pipe to enable easy cleaning of the debris within
I know this seems to be a lot of info to absorb, but most of it is commonsense if you logically think about what you are doing.

Good luck 😀

12 comments:

  1. We are so lucky where we live to have a constant supply of water all year round. We shouldn't take it for granted.
    xx

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    Replies
    1. Mum - I sincerely hope that your water supply continues uninterrupted. With global warming / climate change surprises are possible...

      So, if you need info on installing a rain water tank, here you have it ;)

      Delete
  2. Good post, Dani. I will link to it so my survivalist friends can have access to your information.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Harry - and thanks for the link. :)

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  3. I'm also on the Water Shedding site. Best and easiest info out there and have helped me a lot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane - Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.

      Yeah, Water Shedding and Water Shortage are both invaluable sources of info. I love how a crisis bonds people and cuts across all barriers ;)

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  4. Dani - thank you for all of this helpful info. jam and i were just talking about all of the stuff that we have learned from others out there sharing info on blogs...if we haven't printed it, we've scribbled it down or memorized it! we are fortunate enough to have plentiful water but as you say, climate change and other factors could change that for us in a few years! so it is good to be able to get reliable, trustworthy and tried knowledge from friends who did it first.

    sending much love to you and yours! your friend,
    kymber

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kymber - I hope that you never have a drought situation like we are currently having, and like California experienced recently. No water, no life... :(

      Delete
  5. this set up is very interesting

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  6. Thanks for this Dani. Very useful.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment - it makes my day and removes the "loneliness' of sitting at my screen blogging supposedly to myself ;) I try and reply as quickly as possible so please forgive me if sometimes my response is delayed.