creek water for domestic use, any ideas?

[tungularafishcamp]

If you have a decent sized inlet/outlet pipes that always have a good flow I don't think that you would have any problem with freezing at 20. I would be concerned with the tank freezing though as the ice expands it can go up in the pool but in a closed in tank it might just blow it out.
:2cents:
Rick

 

[scesnick]

At the creek end, no matter what size tank you put there, it will eventually fill up with sediment etc. I would go for something that is easy to clean out.

I am curious as to the system you are going to use to treat the water to make it potable?

Yeah, I was thinking about that. There really is no perfect answer I don't think.
As i said earlier, this water is very clean and originates on my property. My granfather drank it for years. But, just in case a deer drops dead upstream I plan on using one of these. Watts Ultraviolet Water Purifiers

 

[scesnick]

If you have a decent sized inlet/outlet pipes that always have a good flow I don't think that you would have any problem with freezing at 20. I would be concerned with the tank freezing though as the ice expands it can go up in the pool but in a closed in tank it might just blow it out.
:2cents:
Rick

Yeah, I always have very good, fast flow but our temps drop to minus 20 (-20) sometimes. I wonder what the freezing temp would have to be if I buried the tank?

 

[tungularafishcamp]

A friend uses one of those watts units in Mexico and really likes it.

How long do your cold spells usually last? I would think with constantly running water in a buried tank and maybe put some foam insulation on top of tank before you bury it you would be fine. I have my 3" line exposed in several places and suspended above ground crossing a gully and have not froze it up at -20 so I bet your tank would be fine. You could check with public works in your area and see how deep the frost line is.
Rick

 

[radioman]

where is the creek from house? down or up? reason I asked is that at my folks, there is a spring that is capped and its nearly 1000ft away. Its been running for over half century and still going today.It starts nearly a foot under ground and goes 9 ft underground to basement. No pump. it runs constantly 24 hours a day to a holding tank. when the tank gets full, the overflow spout just empties water to a nearby creek.

 

[dex3361]

Yeah, I always have very good, fast flow but our temps drop to minus 20 (-20) sometimes. I wonder what the freezing temp would have to be if I buried the tank?

You would want the inlet line at least 42" deep. It is hard to say exactly how deep it will freeze but in your area that would be about the minum at 20 below. Do you have an area higher than your house that you could bury the tank? It would be good to run the pump fill the tank and let it gravity feed to the house. You would need to have it about 70 feet higher in elevation than the house and this would give you about 35PSI if you went higher ithe pressure would be more. This way if you lost power you would still have water till your tank was empty. What is the HP of your pump? What size wire did you run to the pump? I am afraid the wire size is to small and you have a low voltage condition from such a long run of wire as was expressed in a previous post.

 

[clemsonfor]

At the creek end, no matter what size tank you put there, it will eventually fill up with sediment etc. I would go for something that is easy to clean out.

I am curious as to the system you are going to use to treat the water to make it potable?

Are yall people reading. He is using UV.

 

[windy acers]

A plumber told me not to use a whole house filter on a non clorineated system. It will turn black and build up bacteria.

 

[schmism]

A plumber told me not to use a whole house filter on a non clorineated system. It will turn black and build up bacteria.

UV = no bacteria

 

[charlz]

Are yall people reading. He is using UV.

Yeah, but last time I checked UV didn't do anything for sediment/particulate...

 

[mmurphy]

UV = no bacteria

There at the ultra violet light.

Chlorine is used for a residual to keep from coliform colonys reastablishing.

 

[scesnick]

along with the UV light I also have an iron filter system ( which is always overwelmed with iron when using the wellm but that is a topic for another day) This is a terminox system. I then have a big blue 20" replaceable filter which should take care of the sediment. then the UV light to the house. While We are on the topic does anyone know of ANY 20" replacable filter desigend for iron? I don't think they exist but it is worth asking.

As far as putting the tank higher than the house. I really wish I could but the house sits right on top of the hill. Wifey wanted the nice view when we built.

Boy, this is becoming pretty complicated. I know I need to bury the tank. I also know I need to put the inlet/outlet line around 42" deep. But if I put the tank creekside, I would have to bury the tank atleast 42" . This is all well and good and easily done. But, what about the outlet. How would I get the outlet to drain if the tank is 42" deep? I can't make water run uphill unfortunately. ( I would be rich if I could)
I could make a long run down stream with a very long pvc pipe in order to get the proper grade for the water to run out. But then, eventually, that pipe would be buried very shallow and most likely freeze .

 

[dex3361]

As far as putting the tank higher than the house. I really wish I could but the house sits right on top of the hill. Wifey wanted the nice view when we built.

Boy, this is becoming pretty complicated. I know I need to bury the tank. I also know I need to put the inlet/outlet line around 42" deep. But if I put the tank creekside, I would have to bury the tank atleast 42" . This is all well and good and easily done. But, what about the outlet. How would I get the outlet to drain if the tank is 42" deep? I can't make water run uphill unfortunately. ( I would be rich if I could)
I could make a long run down stream with a very long pvc pipe in order to get the proper grade for the water to run out. But then, eventually, that pipe would be buried very shallow and most likely freeze .

What about putting the tank close to the house and doing a 2 pump set up. Pump 1 pumps from the creek to the tank (located beside or near the house).
pump 2 pumps from the tank to the house.

 

[nue2farm]

"Backwoods Home" Magazine just had a series of articles on this subject. Might want to check them out. Backwoodshome .com should give you an idea...... Have fun and stay safe...

 

[scesnick]

What about putting the tank close to the house and doing a 2 pump set up. Pump 1 pumps from the creek to the tank (located beside or near the house).
pump 2 pumps from the tank to the house.

That is something I am considering ...Thanks egon.

 

[mjarrels]

Been using spring/creek water at my other house for years, 4" PVC intake pipe into a septic tank (new) and 4" outlet. Water runs 24/7 and is allways full. Small in tank pump to supply the house (level ground). Works great.

mark

 

[scesnick]

Been using spring/creek water at my other house for years, 4" PVC intake pipe into a septic tank (new) and 4" outlet. Water runs 24/7 and is allways full. Small in tank pump to supply the house (level ground). Works great.

mark

mjarrels,

I think I remember you mentioning that before now that I think about it. Did you bury the tank? what about the outlet? Is freezing and issue? Don't happen to have any pics do you?

 

[dex3361]

That is something I am considering ...Thanks egon.

What size wire and how many conductors did you run down to the creek?

 

[scesnick]

What size wire and how many conductors did you run down to the creek?

I ran 8/3 wire

 

[dex3361]

I ran 8/3 wire

What is the Manufacturer HP,Voltage, Full Load Amps, GPM and Head/Pressure design of the pump? I am wondering if you might have a voltage drop issue.