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gurn911
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# Posted: 8 Jan 2015 04:51pm
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Hello, Newbie here!
I am looking at building a cabin for some short week long and weekend stints. We would normally winterize water system (I think). Researching my options and that brings up a few questions...
We have the ability to go with a well, but costly. Possibly down to 250'. $10,000. We won't have grid electricity. If we go with a solar well pump to fill a holding tank, is it better to place that holding tank above or below ground? (In Iowa, it was -20 below yesterday) We'll use a 12v pump to pressure the rest of the cabin. Do you have to periodically clean out and disinfect the cistern/tank? If not, how do you filter it to remove bacterial and other contaminates? I know you could use RO for drinking, but wouldn't want to do that for the whole cabin use.
We could collect rainwater off the roof. Using a similar system as above. I would expect even more contaminates into a cistern. Do you prefilter the rainwater? Other concerns?
We could truck it in. Not ideal. Are there other possibilities we're not thinking of? I'm sure i'll have other questions as the thread goes...Trying to keep it short. Thanks to all.
Jim
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Just
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# Posted: 8 Jan 2015 05:21pm
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search " water storage " in " off grid living .. lots of good stuff there .
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Smawgunner
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# Posted: 8 Jan 2015 09:58pm
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I'm probably no help but we are in the same boat but with electric. Our plan in Ohio here is to bury a small cistern, use rain water and have this for bathing, washing dish etc and truck in drinking water each visit. Not sure what type of pump though. Hope you get lots of advice here And keep us posted!
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shall
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# Posted: 8 Jan 2015 10:24pm
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this video is very much worth watching. this guy has some great videos on rainwater collection. I believe that for every 1 inch of rain, you collect around 2/3 gallons per sq ft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llI8nR_r3KM
as I understand, rainwater must be filtered and purified for drinking purposes.
For filtration, a Berkey does the job.
http://www.amazon.com/Berkey-BT2X2-BB-Stainless-Filtration-Elements/dp/B00BWIWX8G/ref =sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420773140&sr=8-1&keywords=berkey+water
They're a bit costly ($200-300), so here's a cheap, easy & effective alternative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASQmqnvC-l8
For final purification of drinking water, I would think a steripen UV purifier would make the water safe for drinking
http://www.amazon.com/SteriPEN-Traveler-Portable-Handheld-Purifier/dp/B0041EB6EU/ref= sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420773308&sr=8-1&keywords=steripen
throw in a water tank of perhaps 500 gallons
http://www.plastic-mart.com/product/3538/500-gallon-plastic-water-storage-tank-43101
I'd guess that it could all be done for around or under $1000
If you need more roof space to collect more water, a primitive pole structure could be built for very cheaply to provide more roof space and give you something to park your vehicle under
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 9 Jan 2015 04:23am
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If you're only going to be there for occasional weeks or weekends, then just bring in your own drinking water and get some rainwater collection barrels to collect water for washing when you're not there. They come with screens and things to filter out debris. They connect together with pipe, too, for overflow.
You can install special gutter systems on your cabin, too, to make collection easier. The important thing is to make sure you power-clean the surfaces and make sure the collection systems are clean.
Google rainwater collection systems and you'll find lots of products!
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Smawgunner
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# Posted: 9 Jan 2015 07:05am - Edited by: Smawgunner
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My problem and probably his problem also is freezing. I don't have room nor do I need a 500 gallon tank, I could get away with a 55 gallon barrel but would need to bury it. And then the question becomes how do I clean it if it's in the ground?and then the other thing to consider is trying to find something that will not collapse under the weight of dirt.
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Scott G
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# Posted: 9 Jan 2015 10:31am
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Great video link, thanks shall.
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groingo
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# Posted: 9 Jan 2015 10:40am
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What I have done the past few years is to store drinking water in five gallon (easier to move around) containers in a separated insulated area or shed and also keep at least ten gallons for daily use in your cabin.
If it freezes it's no big deal to defrost it for use.
Your source of water till you get your own would be up to you, but at the temperatures you are getting figure to bring up a weeks worth with you or defrost stored water when you get there.
I use heavy plastic gas containers, they are made of the same exact plastic as the drinking water ones that cost a bit more.
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old greybeard
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# Posted: 9 Jan 2015 01:00pm
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We spend over 100 days a year at our cabin. We carry all our drinking water up in gallon jugs. And usually bring our water for dishes and whatever up in 5 gal jugs. For showers we use 2 55 gallon drums of rainwater, or more often use springs nearby to fill a 5 gal jug. We heat water on the stove and pump it from a barrel for showers.
The rain barrels need Clorox and scrubbed when we leave so the water is not green for the next visit if we intend to shower with them. We usually just use the spring water. Rain barrel water is great for washing dogs who roll or get sprayed or cleaning up outside.
Not really a hassle for us this way, but when we retire we'll probably put a well and sandmound in.
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SE Ohio
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# Posted: 10 Jan 2015 12:51pm
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We are weekenders mainly with the occasional weeklong stay. We also like simplicity and minimal stress. For wash water, we use rainwater collected in 55 gallon barrels. Atop is mounted a pitcher pump. When one is done hand pumping, the water returns down to the barrel, and a freeze won't split the dip tube or damage the pump. Downside is that when the barrel is frozen, we get no water.
We have a 5 gallon water container at our indoor sink, again with pitcher pump. We refill this pump with city water (we bring 5 gallon containers for drinking/cooking). The sink has a rubber sink trap which can freeze without damage. No antifreeze required, nor winterizing with our setup. When we leave the cabin, we lock the door, that's it!
Food-grade 55 gallon barrels are available from many cola bottlers. Or local bottler wants $5 each. Larger water containers (totes) show up on Craiglist, but buyer beware as to what was previously in them! A container in a pit with a strong cover would be a nice upgrade and would offer some freeze resistance.
Freeze friendly water supply
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Freeze friendly sink trap
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Larger water supply
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