run a new water line or dig a new well?

[Wagtail]

How are you going to persuade the birds on the roof to "hold it" until they go somewhere else?

I know roof collectors are used, but they have always seemed very unsanitary to me.

:confused3: I shouldn't matter Mate. The OP says that the water is for his workshop and for game cleaning, not drinking.

Alternatively, a simple filter/UV system could be employed if potable rain water is desired. My entire house is plumbed to a 45000ltr tank. I filter my drinking water but otherwise use it 'as is'. It's never been a problem.

 

[joefromga]

Do birds even piss? My doves just crap all over the place. Never seen them liquidate.

 

[blucoondawg]

That's what the white part of bird crap is

 

[joefromga]

So then it probably doesn't get into the water that much.

 

[blucoondawg]

Right but some may not care for their water source flowing over a turd on the way to its collection point lol

 

[Wagtail]

Right but some may not care for their water source flowing over a turd on the way to its collection point lol

That would be me. Possum poo too. (and why possums insist on running around on roofs at 1am is beyond me. There's NOTHING to eat up there you TWITS!!)

Anyway, I'm not concerned. My tank water is lovely and tastes great without overt filtration... a brita jug or a boiling kettle takes care of any nasties that may show up. It's pretty standard in rural Aus.

Another advantage to having a large rain-water tank is a ready supply for bushfire fighting. I've got a petrol-driven fire pump & hoses that can be hooked up to the tank IOT defend the house/property.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Our farm has cistern water from the barn roof feeding the house. Hand dug well is probably 150 yr old.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I don't know why I know this, but birds waste from kidneys do not go to a bladder. It goes into the intestines. All waste is expelled from the vent.

So, no birds don't pee.

 

[CurlyDave]

:confused3: I shouldn't matter Mate. The OP says that the water is for his workshop and for game cleaning, not drinking...

I always end up eating some of whatever I clean game with. Always like to rinse with potable water.

I suppose a little bit of bleach would take care of anything in the water. In the US we use 1 ml per gallon, so no matter whether you like metric or English units, you are not happy.

 

[Wagtail]

And that's fine CurlyDave, add a ml per gallon. Both my tanks have a gauge to indicate how much is in them so it wouldn't be difficult to calculate how much to add.

I don't understand your first sentence, though...

I always end up eating some of whatever I clean game with. Always like to rinse with potable water.

I suppose a little bit of bleach would take care of anything in the water. In the US we use 1 ml per gallon, so no matter whether you like metric or English units, you are not happy.

 

[RedTailHawk]

Thanks for all the great replies. Gave me a lot of info and some new options to consider. However, I think I'm going with the line from the cabin, connected between the pressure tank and the water treatment system.

I probably should have given more info about the property when I first posted. It is 150 acres with an old 1850s log cabin. I/We get up here almost every weekend. At most, 4 people stay in the cabin. So I don't think there will be any issue overloading the water system from the barn.

Also, though I initially liked the idea of harnessing rainwater, my occasional/seasonal need to clean game meat means I need to ensure sanitary water supply in the barn.

Now here's another question. The septic system was installed in early 1990. When I bought the place, the guy didn't know where the septic was exactly, but said his dad had drawn a diagram when he filed with the county. I did a little research and got a copy of that diagram. (Note: I'm pretty certain this diagram wouldn't be accepted at any county government today). Not only is it not to scale by any means, but the orientation of certain objects on the diagram don't seem right. Anyway, anyone know how to read the numbers that are sketched around the area that seems to be the septic field? I'm assuming the box with ST written in it denotes the Septic Tank.

 

[kevin37b]

There are 2 100ft . runs of field tied together at the end .I am guessing the 55 & 76 have something to do with depth . Actual depth or what they shot with the transit .

 

[RedTailHawk]

There are 2 100ft . runs of field tied together at the end .I am guessing the 55 & 76 have something to do with depth . Actual depth or what they shot with the transit .

What is "shot with the transit"?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

shot with a transit = took depth reading with a rod and transit.

my septic system was filed with county with a hand drawing like that, not that unusual.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

What is "shot with the transit"?

A transit is a precision instrument for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. When you think of the classic image a surveyor, the thing on the tripod that he's peering through is his transit. To shoot a line with the transit means to measure a straight line at a given angle. Usually the surveyor sets the transit up at a known location, and has a helper hold a stick a distance away and he points the transit at the stick. He has the helper move the stick until he measures the correct angle.

 

[RedTailHawk]

any tips on using that hand drawn map to figure out where the septic field is? Probably can't use metal detectors, or any sensors that Miss Utility uses since the pipes are just plastic...

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Do you know from the inside where the pipe exits the house? Should be near corner where electric enters. Shows a swell, where is that in relationship to the cabin?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Friend of mine has hunting camp near capon bridge.

 

[Billrog]

Looks like if you stand facing N. from the cabin the field is on the left. The shc 40 looks like a water line.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Sch 40 is the septic line house to tank, and tank to field. Field is west of house, on the other edge of a hill (swale). Swale goes north south. Are you Near loom?