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Owen Kellogg
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2013 02:26pm
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I've been "testing the waters" (no pun intended) of off-grid living for the past 2 years. Summary: My cabin is 12 x 20, and in the woods. I'm running 400 watts of panels, heat with woodstove, propane "Buddy" heater as a small supplement. I've got enough small gadgets, books and a guitar to live comfortably.
I have a shower, sink and I carry in my drinking water. For my water supply, I have a 250-gallon plastic "tote" contained in a cabinet I built above-ground beside the cabin. Gutters on the cabin catch the water and fill the tank.
When I first started setting things up at the cabin, I was sure I'd need more water storage, but I've yet to drain it down below half-full before the rain fills it back up to overflowing (I have a drain on top).
I stay there by myself 5 nights a week, shower each night and do dishes. I don't waste water, but I've learned to not worry much about conserving it either. I feel like I'm living like a king.
The only thing I've had trouble with is the supply line running into the cabin froze about 3 times this year (I'm in Ky.), which required me to haul in some water in my 7-gallon "shower bucket" a few times.
I see many discussions about people having 1000+ gallon tanks for their water supply, which seems excessive to me. I'm not knocking anyone for that - I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong.
I'm going to build a permanent cabin at a different location this Summer. I plan to use the same tote, but bury it in the ground (with proper reinforcement) to prevent freezing. Other than that, I see no reason to spend more money and energy for something bigger - unless someone can convince me otherwise.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
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ICC
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2013 02:46pm
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there are places where you have periods of months on end with no rainfall to speak of at all, parts of the sierra nevads in CA don't see water from the sky May thru Novemeber more or less thats where and when you install tanks to hold 15000 gallons if you also want to grow food.
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Owen Kellogg
Member
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2013 03:32pm
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One thing I didn't mention is at my future location, there's a small pond nearby, fortunately uphill from where the cabin will be built. I eventually plan to have a filter system in place to drain water from it into the tank should I get a dry spell.
Of course, this filter system is something that I'll be coming here to research and ask advice on in the future. I'm very thankful for all of the helpful souls here. This is a great forum.
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MikeOnBike
Member
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2013 05:28pm
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My spring runs dry somtime between Aug to Oct depending on the previous winter snowpack. Until I get a well in I need enough storage to get me through until we close the cabin up in mid Dec.
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rayyy
Member
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2013 08:54pm
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I have that same tote outside up aginst the wall of the cabin.It is insulated on the outer 3 walls,ceiling and floor,only having the wall on the cabin side open to the tank.The heat from inside the cabin keep's the water in the tank up above freezing.The 1/2" inlet line is ran inside a 1-1/2"plastic hose,it,too,get's some heat from the cabin as well as from the water tank.That outer hose is heavily insulated.So far so good,it's worked well this winter even though we didn't see any sub zero temp's this year.I saw red wing black birds this week.Another good sign,spring's a comming!
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 12 Mar 2013 06:28pm
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A good reason for a large water tank is fire protection. Even if you don't live in forest fire prone areas of the west, there's not a lot the local fire dept can do to put out a fire on your property if you don't give them a tank and hydrant.
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wakeslayer
Member
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# Posted: 15 Mar 2013 05:35pm
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My system is gravity fed, but we pump from our well uphill to a 1200 gallon holding tank. It will last my wife and I a full week or more of drinking and cooking water, dishes, showers, laundry, etc. We are not very conservative as we do not need to be. It takes me 60-90 minutes to fill running my generator.
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