using clean creek water for domestic use??
- Thread starter scesnick
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Egon
Epic Contributor
Sometimes Professional advice is hard to come by due to prospect of litigation.
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scesnick
Veteran Member
mjarrels said:
Maybe you could explain your system to me a little more then..
tallyho8
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It sounds like you have planned your water supply pretty well. Just a few years ago there were many untreated springs and wells on public property that were open to the public and now most of them have been shut down due to fear of liability. I know of springs in the National Forest that my grandparents drank from and I used to bring empty bottles to fill at them whenever I went, and these have all been shut down now. For thousands of years our ancestors drank from sources that were probably much more polluted than the one you have with no treatment at all with very few ill effects. Every animal on earth except man still drinks untreated water. It is a shame if we have adapted to such a level that we are now unable to drink natural water without fear of harmful side effects.
irwin
Veteran Member
About ten years ago the state closed access to 3 springs that had been used for as long as my 84 year old dad can remember. I asked why and was told " failed testing" I miss stopping by and getting ice cold good tasting un-processed water when heading by one of those springs, toward a favorite fishing area.. just have to bring my own now. Since I was told the ares are closed I haven't even stopped by to see if they put out signs or fenced the areas off..
I grew up on a hill in ct. our well water was delicious.. now it's gotten harder, a mineral taste. my father says it tastes the same to him though. I think he smokes his pipe too often to taste properly..
I grew up on a hill in ct. our well water was delicious.. now it's gotten harder, a mineral taste. my father says it tastes the same to him though. I think he smokes his pipe too often to taste properly..
LSmith
Bronze Member
I used the following system on my land in TN. Clear creek water was pumped up to a 1000 gallon tank on one of my hills close to the house. I treated the water by sediment filtration (double) and then chlorine injection (injector pump) the water was then run through a carbon filter to strip the chlorine out and a reverse osmosis system for drinking and used straight for showers & dishwashing.
One of my jobs is water quality for clinical labs and I tested the water from the creek. It was more pure from a TDS (Total dissolved solids) and Nitrate concentration than my "treated" city water. Standard precautions should apply. You are no different from a city using a ground source and treating the water going into a city system. Just be sure you have an idea what is happening upstream and test often. You can purchase test kits and monitor your own water. We used the system for five years with no ill effects.
One of my jobs is water quality for clinical labs and I tested the water from the creek. It was more pure from a TDS (Total dissolved solids) and Nitrate concentration than my "treated" city water. Standard precautions should apply. You are no different from a city using a ground source and treating the water going into a city system. Just be sure you have an idea what is happening upstream and test often. You can purchase test kits and monitor your own water. We used the system for five years with no ill effects.
OP
scesnick
Veteran Member
Thanks for all the ideas guys. I am going to do this for sure but the mechanical part of this is what I need help with. Unfortunately, my house is about 75ft. higher than the creek bed and about 300-400 ft away.
Do you guys think i should put the tank down near the creek and pump it from that tank to the house?
OR,
build a small dam and bury the tank ABOVE my house and pump the water straight from the dam all the way to the tank? then just simply use gravity to feed the house? Which would be easier? ( and by easier i mean cheaper lol )
Do you guys think i should put the tank down near the creek and pump it from that tank to the house?
OR,
build a small dam and bury the tank ABOVE my house and pump the water straight from the dam all the way to the tank? then just simply use gravity to feed the house? Which would be easier? ( and by easier i mean cheaper lol )
shaley
Platinum Member
You might take a look a super chlorination. I beleive it will make Iron precipitate out of solution and then the chlorine can be filtered out with a simple carbon filter. If you are already going to buy tanks then this may cost the same. Look up the process on the web. Also, Fralo makes Rainwater cisterns - heavy duty, secure, and FDA Approved - Fralo Plastech big potable water tanks and septic tanks. A 750 gal cost about $650. You can get a good concrete 1200 gal midseam septic tank for that price but it will weigh 15,000 yes 15k pounds and will still need to be sealed coated if used for water. I would think you could build a system to clean up the well you have and be far safer and legal.
