Saving rainwater

Easier to put the tank near the power and run delivery pipe instead of wire. My header tank and distribution pump are right next to the house, the poly lines run out to the gardens and orchards.

Perhaps

Solar won't give much head but might do for drippers unless it is up hill.

David

I have time to think about, I'm in no rush. Septic tanks on east side of home, propane tank west side, well cap and nice lawn on north side, a deck on the south side .... hmmm, put the tank or tanks under 4ft deck ..., accessibility, will it stink?

I was thinking the over flow from rain barrels would lead to large tank out by the garden. A large 6" inch flex pipe under ground from connected rain barrels. still ... I want to consider esthetics and functionality.

I have lots of time to think. Doing my taxes today ... so I will be in miserable mood for the day :) Always around winter break.

Enjoy Life ... Dan

If you live where there's enough precipitation to fill the volume facility you're talking about and keep it filled then you don't need to collect water. Anyway Michigan is essentially an island surrounded by the Great Lakes, if anything Michigan gets too much precipitation... aside from spring rains in torrents there's enough snow melt to keep your ground too wet into mid June. Drought in Michigan is rare, on the few occasions you need to water, an hour with a garden hose from your well will suffice. And it's counter productive to over water, with watering plants less is more. It's better economics and less laborious to amend your garden soil with moisture retaining organic matter and mulch than to invest in vats, piping, and pumps.... and all your neighbors will be laughing at you hysterically when they see you out in your yard doing a rain dance hoping to fill your tanks. It will be less expensive to upgrade your well with a more powerful pump and larger pressure tank. If you're real serious about mega gardening it's not all that costly to have a shallow well installed just for irrigation. Also consider an artesian well, they are common in Michigan.

An excellent description of Michigan. I live in the boondocks, my nearest neighbor is 1/4 mile down the road, the only one I know. My other neighbor is the Gas Company. They have no gas wells nearby and they are the largest land owner. So no one will laugh.

Like I said before the wells in my area are very very hard - TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) is 2500. It is very heavy in salts. So even drilling a second well would not due. I admit I only need the extra water at most one or two months every other year. My well water seems to harm the plants, not help. No way drinkable without the R.O. under sink purification system. The soft line also goes through sediment filters which is not as bad. The good part of my well is that it has never gone dry, provides large volumes and sufficient pressure. The rain here is very consistent during spring and fall, rain is good for the garden. If I win the lottery, I will get a house hold R.O. system.

One plus to $400 portable R.O. is that I dream of getting a small 10x12 green house. It would be a nice addition... someday. The tanks are a little cheaper. The R.O. for outside hard line is small and might be more practical.

Like many people today am not sure about the economy and feel the need to save more for the rainy days instead of spending for the not so rainy days. Taxes are done, I will not receive enough for that nice green house :(

Still Dreaming ... Dan

Check out artesian wells, I'm serious, they're gravity pressure wells, free, pure, clean filtered water with no pump, no fuel.

Lots of reading and thinking.

Thanks Dan

Artesian wells are actually the least expensive type of well to construct. There are a few cities in Michigan that are famous for their artesian wells... check your Yellow Pages and get estimates, you may be pleasantly surprised. It could solve all your poor water problems.

I'm late on this Dan, but I have had this idea in my head for several years, after using this product for it's intended use for five years

Put yer thinking cap on here and do some calculations, etc. Cheap, tough and holds lots and lots of water in the larger sizes. Comes complete with low pressure, high volume pump and cover.

Spinoff of military waterbag technology.

Hmmm ... I ... I just do not know what to say Charley :)

My thinking cap is on ... I could for a month or two park my old pickup truck back by the garden. Put a water proof liner in the bed. How does the saying go a "Red Neck's Swimming Pool" or "Hot Tub". It might work.

Enjoy Life ... Dan