12V Water pumps and cisterns

[Boeing]

Looking for one more suggestion.....I'd like to allow the steel roof/gutter system to add water but there are many trees, poplar, pine, locust etc nearby that keep me cleaning those gutters. Short of cutting all my trees down how can I screen/filter this gutter water AND I just thought of bugs, MICE and other pollutants getting in the tank. Maybe I ought to just keep it sealsd and fill it by tank as I have now. hmmmm?

 

[LouNY]

A lot of years ago many cisterns were filled off of roofs, they used a simple diverter when it first started raining the roof water dumped to grade after a bit it got switched to the cistern that way the first water that was flushing the gutters didn't go to the cistern.

 

[N2DFire]

Looking for one more suggestion.....I'd like to allow the steel roof/gutter system to add water but there are many trees, poplar, pine, locust etc nearby that keep me cleaning those gutters. Short of cutting all my trees down how can I screen/filter this gutter water AND I just thought of bugs, MICE and other pollutants getting in the tank. Maybe I ought to just keep it sealsd and fill it by tank as I have now. hmmmm?

Never used it myself but what about something like Kguard Gutter Guards: #1 Rated Leaf Free Gutter System

 

[RNeumann]

The cleaner the better with regards to rain water. Most would use the rainwater for irrigation and maybe the toilet- on a second cistern. You are adding risk with showers and sinks.
If you must do this, gutter guards will help. I’d also consider a screen cloth type setup between the downspouts and the cistern. Something that is easily visible and easy to clean or change. Filtering water with just gravity is tough.

 

[pmsmechanic]

So what about leaving your present tank setup where it is. (outside) and run your rain water into it. Or into a cistern if outside isn't really feasible. Set up a small sump pump to filter it and pump the filtered water into a small tank inside the house. Use your 12 volt pump as you have been doing till now. Just hook it up to the small tank.

 

[Joe Malovich]

Might I suggest a different solution

Use this methodology for collection: Rain harvesting ... It's about time I did this! - YouTube
Then that goes into a catchment tank with a float switch hooked up to your current pump and pump the water into a tank at a higher elevation than your points of use then piped down to you house, gravity will pressurize the system. Your county looks very hilly, do you own land at a higher elevation? 15' to 70' above the point of use would be a usable range for the tank. A buried cicstern would be a good freeze-protected solution.

It also doesn't take much to treat rainwater: Sediment filter>Carbon Filter> UV treatment filter (these come in 12v models) You can put this before or after the cistern.

 

[Boeing]

I think this is a GREAT idea PMS.....I do have a "whole house filter" on a garden hose that I had used ONCE when I thought I could get water out of the JAMES RIVER......(the tank turned green and slimy in two weeks!) I could run gutter water into the tank, add clorox and leave it until I could run it thru the filter and into the Cistern......would tell me how much water I'm getting and if it's worthwhile. In the meantime keep going into town with my tanks and dump into cistern. I like it.:thumbsup:
I am on the highest part of my land and unless I BUILT a deck or stand there is nowhere to "pump higher" as one suggested. Initially, I'd planed on a well but 3 drillers all estimated 900' to get water AND I'd need a serious pump. I do have a generator but hate to drag it out and listen to it. 90% of my electricity is solar and inverter. Guys, THANK YOU so much for helping me figure this out....now my next consideration is hiring a septic crew to dig/bury the cistern OR....buying a backhoe to put on my Kubota.....:laughing:

 

[plowhog]

You are about to invest significant effort to take your system from above grade, which is desirable from a pumping standpoint, to below grade, which is not desirable from a pumping standpoint.

Have you considered every aspect of trying to keep the water tank above grade? Insulate it? Change to a larger tank to resist freezing? Or, install a circulating pump that will kick on in below freezing conditions, preventing freeze up? I don't know what your temperatures are, or for how long they persist, but I would consider these things. There is just such an advantage with a water tank above the point of usage.

And, I would never route rain water into a system that plumbed into the house. Some do. I wouldn't. Not matter how much you filter, it is different quality from your current source.

 

[patrick_g]

A small bladder type pressure tank will cut down the short cycling and extend pump life. It might increase efficiency a little too. Yes, those pumps are designed to do what yours is doing but adding the tank will be an improvement.

Regarding filling your tank. Once you start including lots of biologics in your water supply you will need to consider increasing your bleach input to avoid growing nasty stuff in your water supply. Significantly increasing the bleach input will likely render your water safe to drink (instructions are on the Clorox bottle) but will taste bad so you will want an activated charcoal filter (taste and odor filter) I like RO (Reverse Osmosis)

Don't kid yourself, if you wash with it or use it brushing teeth or whatever eventually you will ingest some and or get it in your eye either of which will get you sick if pathogens are in the water. Use Clorox as the back of the jug instructions say (or more) and then use taste and odor filter (activated charcoal) to take it out at the point of use. Don't run your water through the filter into a holding tank. Let the tank have the treated water and filter out the chlorine at time of use.

Some folks worry about the "rinse" water wasted by an RO unit. It isn't wasted if you catch it before it goes down the drain and put it to good use. Do you use conventional low flush commode? Great place to use the rinse water. The rinse water can be used for household cleaning chores or other uses so it is not wasted, a consideration when you have to truck water or rely on rain. Rain and snow aren't all that pure these days so be careful.

Patrick

 

[radioman]

hmm .. as for you gutters - you need the micromesh screen type of gutter covers. just google it and it will give you results.
as for your ciscerns .. why not keep your existing setup and just keep your pump in same height where it was in relation of tank now .. what i mean is you are burying your tank anyways , whats a extra few feet to build a access hole? a manhole cover with insulation and you can just go to your pump for repairs when needed. the only concern is the lift rating of your 12v pump. this is something you need to research and see if it within specs - otherwise go with your oringinal plan and get 12v submersible