rain water

[cortina1498]

Hi, what started out as a little project seems to have escalated into a full blown rain water system. I started by removing my fall pipes and diverting the rain water onto my garage roof and from there into the first of 3 x 400 gallon tanks (from thetankexchange.com ) on its journey it passes through 3 rough filters to remove leaves etc and one filter, what I call a tipper filter, which takes the first flush of water away from the tanks. From tank 1 I linked to tank 2 approx 12" from the bottom of each tank, to help with sediment, and from tank 2 to tank3 using a one way flow valve. In tank one I fitted a float switch and in tank 3 fitted a submersible pump (12v) with enough head to lift it to my roof tank. My roof tank is a 50gallon plastic tank fitted with a float switch and a normal ballcock connected to mains water, modified to only switch on when the outside tanks could not provide any rain water. I ensured that when the tank was full of rain water the mains inlet was at least 2" above water level. The outside tanks and the roof tank were connected by an outside 13mm plastic pipe. How it works - when the roof tank wants water (float switch) it connects through realys to the outside tanks float switch, if this says it has water in the tanks then the relays switch on the pump, filling the roof tank, when the roof tank is full the roof tank float switch switched off the pump and the water in the pipe drains back into the third tank, hence the one way valve, leaving the outside 13mm pipe empty.
Initially I only used this for filling my toilet, gravity fed with a modified valve (ie bigger hole) in the cystern. Then I got ambitious and thought why not my washing machine etc, so rethink needed, the machine(s) need a pressurised water supply to open their valves, immediately after my roof tank I fitted a Shurflo double headed pump with built in demand valve (12v) this now switches on and provides more than enough pressure to open the valves in my washing machine and dishwasher and feed my electric shower. My reason for using 12 volt pumps is simple I run them from 2 x 110amp leisure batteries which are charged by two 40 watt solar panels, this system has run successfully for the last two years, cutting my water bill from £28 a month to £19 a quarter, using a water meter. I am now fitting 12 volt led, GU10 fittings, lights. I have fitted 3 x 40 led bulbs in the hall controlled by an occupancy switch which as it says stays on while you are there, but more important it switches itself off when you leave, I have done the same in the bathroom using 1 x 110 led lamp (wide angle and warm white), the one in my kitchen is the same as the bathroom but is supplemented by a solar tube light in my roof.
Sorry to be so long winded, hope this helps somebody - if anybody wants any more info just ask. cheers

[Thomzo]

Hi
I don't just want info. I want you to come and do the same for me. Pleeeeaassse. I can pay in eggs

It sounds brilliant.

Can I be cheeky and ask if you have any idea how much the total rainwater system cost you?

Cheers
Zoe

[cortina1498]

Hi Zoe, I would love to come and fit the system for you, but as the song says 'my wife won't let me', no problem with the prices, but I think I'm going to frighten myself before I finish this, but here goes - 3 x 400 gal tanks £250 delivered, 1 x 50 gal tank £50, 1 x submersible pump £28, 2 x float switches £17, 1 x mains water ballcock £6, lots of 13mm plastic pipe and fittings £50, 1 x sureflo double pump £55 (ebay bargain, they are £250 retail), 1 x relay £0 (12v 35amp I had one), wiring £0 I had loads, extra guttering/pipes etc £30, 2 x 40watt solar panels £480 (ebay), 1 x splitcharge solar controller £48, 2 x 11amp leisure batteries £96 = £1110 ouch !!!, fortunately this was spread over a 12 month period so I didn't feel it too bad. You have to remember this was 2 years ago and prices will have gone up. A quick reckoning is that it will take me approx 4 years to get my money back which I don't think too bad(at current water prices), so I'm half way there. But I think its about more than getting my money back. - Hope this helps - cheers

[Thomzo]

Hi
Thanks for that, Cortina. I don't think 4 year recovery is too bad. I do agree that it's more about saving water and the environment (so that Thames Water can squander it through their leaky pipes).

I wouldn't be able to do it myself, though, so with labour on top that kind of makes it out of reach.

I'll keep dreaming.

Zoe