Rainwater harvesting system

[British Red]

Our latest video covers how we built a 10,000 litre above ground rainwater harvesting system to compliment our cistern and well.

We include how we calculate usage, storage, catchment and how we pressurise the water for use in hoses and sprinklers

After the last dry Summer, I think it's important for every homestead & garden to have a think about how best to water!

 

[henchy3rd]

Our latest video covers how we built a 10,000 litre above ground rainwater harvesting system to compliment our cistern and well.

We include how we calculate usage, storage, catchment and how we pressurise the water for use in hoses and sprinklers

After the last dry Summer, I think it's important for every homestead & garden to have a think about how best to water!

When I lived at the commune for sustainable living down south, I had the task of building a rain water harvesting catcher for the straw bale house.. 2x 1000 litre water butts interlinked & gravity fed & plumbed in to sink & toilet.
I just finished it & it started to rain.
It’s amazing how much water is collected from the roof in such a short period of time.

 

[rarms]

Nice one, have a similar setup on a smaller scale, but with a water tower for the head pressure.

Just twigged who you are too, have been watching your videos for a few years

 

[British Red]

When I lived at the commune for sustainable living down south, I had the task of building a rain water harvesting catcher for the straw bale house.. 2x 1000 litre water butts interlinked & gravity fed & plumbed in to sink & toilet.
I just finished it & it started to rain.
It’s amazing how much water is collected from the roof in such a short period of time.

We can get 5,000 litres in a good rainfall...but we have a faur sized amount of roof space by using the barns

 

[British Red]

Nice one, have a similar setup on a smaller scale, but with a water tower for the head pressure.

Just twigged who you are too, have been watching your videos for a few years

I'd live to see your setup! I'd love to get ours high enough for a gravity feed but never worked out a practical solution!

 

[Stew]

I'd live to see your setup! I'd love to get ours high enough for a gravity feed but never worked out a practical solution!

12v whale pump on a battery topped up with solar?

 

[British Red]

12v whale pump on a battery topped up with solar?

Sure but if I'm going to pump the water, why not simply pump it through the hose?

 

[Stew]

The whale pump is slow and low volume so just thinking you could have a low ibc that is filling from the gutters then the whale slowly transfers it up to a higher unit.

 

[British Red]

Interesting, that would work. Our solution is a 3.5 bar pump on an inverter. It works for us although I would love one of the US ranch style wind pumps. One day!

 

[adriatikfan]

The article linked below was sent to me a few years back. Although from a completely different 'hobbyist' background, there is a lot of good, clear practical advice included and I learned a lot from it.

Best Wishes,
David

Water Butts and Power Washers - redux

www.detailingworld.co.uk

 

[British Red]

The article linked below was sent to me a few years back. Although from a completely different 'hobbyist' background, there is a lot of good, clear practical advice included and I learned a lot from it.

Best Wishes,
David

Hose diameter makes all the difference to flow rate I agree with the poster!

 

[Stew]

Our latest video covers how we built a 10,000 litre above ground rainwater harvesting system to compliment our cistern and well.

We include how we calculate usage, storage, catchment and how we pressurise the water for use in hoses and sprinklers

After the last dry Summer, I think it's important for every homestead & garden to have a think about how best to water!

Just bumping this back up as I’m curious if you’re still happy with the hose connections. I’ve always found them to leak eventually so not sure I would trust them to link the tanks. How is it going?

 

[British Red]

Just bumping this back up as I’m curious if you’re still happy with the hose connections. I’ve always found them to leak eventually so not sure I would trust them to link the tanks. How is it going?

Working fine Stew. You can now buy integrally moulded hozelock adapters that never leak. Just updating the dolar power setup now

 

[Stew]

Good to hear!

Thinking about it a bit more I’m thinking for my use (allotment) that hoses with hose clamps might be better. While we don’t really have many problems on the site, I could see hozelok being easily messed with and taken off.

 

[British Red]

Don't forget though that the basic tap nozzle is 50mm (huge) you would need a very big hose to join them

 

[Stew]

I’m pretty sure I had seen a Barb connector for garden hose. I’ll have a check in a bit.

 

[British Red]

I’m pretty sure I had seen a Barb connector for garden hose. I’ll have a check in a bit.

Barb connectors definitely exist - it's attaching them to the 50mm outlet of the IBC tank that may be tricky

 

[Stew]

Here!

IBC CAP and BRASS LEVER TAP 1/2" to Garden Hose Connector

This is an IBC adapter with a plated brass lever tap and Snap-On hose connector. Allows the attachment of a standard 1/2" (13 mm) garden hose in

www.ibcadapters.co.uk

 

[British Red]

Here!

IBC CAP and BRASS LEVER TAP 1/2" to Garden Hose Connector

This is an IBC adapter with a plated brass lever tap and Snap-On hose connector. Allows the attachment of a standard 1/2" (13 mm) garden hose in

www.ibcadapters.co.uk

Had one that was put together & it was awful - is that moulded?

 

[Stew]

Had one that was put together & it was awful - is that moulded?

No idea. Awful in what way?Leaks at the joints?
I have seen some fully moulded that are about £25.