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Water storage and use
By wdyasq, Section Remote Living Posted on Tue Jan 3rd, 2006 at 05:25:14 AM MST
Wildfires ravage Texas and Oklahoma

Not really on the topic of Renewable energy but, defiantly on remote living and survival of the homestead:
The recent local fires remind me of a seldom thought of aspect of remote living, water storage. If one lives in a remote location, they should have stored and available for fire-fighting sufficient water.
An example might be my brother's place. It was built last year with a catchment system. There is ~9,000 gallons of water storage from about 8,000 sf of roof that goes into a catchment system. Guess what, the architect did not provide a way for a fire department to hookup to the water system to fight a fire in the area.
There is no 'ground water'. Wells have been drilled in the area to over 5,000 feet without hiting water. Normal rainfall is less than 20" a year. I live 40 miles to the east where normal rain is about 28" a year but less than 12" this year and only traces since last May. It is dry here. It is more dry to the west with no rain predicted the next week or so.
There are ponds nearby. But, if the water st the site was available there would be a better chance of defending the house from a wildfire. Something to consider in your remote living and home plans.
Ron

Water storage and use | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by pyrocasto (pyrocasto at hotmail dot com) on Mon Jan 2nd, 2006 at 10:54:32 PM MST
(User Info)

Really not a bad idea if you live in a dry, woodsey place like that. Though I would probably just use the water cistern I'd have for my house water for that. I wouldnt have 9000 gallons worth. It varies in every situation so I couldnt say how much exactly.

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by wdyasq on Tue Jan 3rd, 2006 at 06:22:54 PM MST
(User Info)

Many of the areas thet burned are not brushy or timbered. These are grass and brush fires Chris. It is just that dry.

Ron
Adventure is just bad planning." -- Roald Amundsen
[ Parent ]

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by pyrocasto (pyrocasto at hotmail dot com) on Wed Jan 4th, 2006 at 12:24:12 AM MST
(User Info)

Well using your rainfall from the roof, I guess you'd need to figure out how much you get. Then figure how much evapurates in an average day from a pond. Should help figure out wether a cistern would be needed, or if a pond would be sufficient.

Being that dry I'm guessing cistern.

You could always stop by the local Fire Station and have a chat with them about it. ;-)

[ Parent ]

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Gary D on Tue Jan 3rd, 2006 at 09:41:31 AM MST
(User Info)

Ron, most rural fire companies have portable pumps that only use 2 to 4 inch intakes. They usually can draft (suction) 5 to 8 feet or more depending on the seals, so if the downpipe hole/fill area is large enough and the homeowner is willing,... the firefighters will gladly use what's available (they want to save as much personal property as possible) especially since most times they are neighbors and volunteering their freetime. My pool is ALWAYS available for them if any of my neighbors houses are threatened...I'll gladly refill it later/during the event although at a slower pace. Great posting, at a time when people are watching the devostation... Gary D.

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by Laylow on Tue Jan 3rd, 2006 at 02:40:38 PM MST
(User Info)

It's always a good idea to have a pond if you have the land for it. A small 1/2 acre pond can easily contain about 1 million gallons. I don't know what kind of water shed you would need for your soil but the fact that there are ponds nearby sounds like good news. Then you can get into aquaculture!

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by jimovonz (username at matata dot co dot nz) on Wed Jan 4th, 2006 at 02:25:59 AM MST
(User Info)

We are just in the process of developing a large rural subdivision. All of the properties have covenents attached to the titles requiring at least 20,000l (~5500gal) water storage on site. Of this 20000l, at most half is serviced by the community water supply leaving at least half to be serviced by roof water. Our annual rainfall is around 60". Such a system is not required in our region but rather just makes good sense. Incidentally, every site also has access to a central storage of 180,000l (50,000gal) via 2" hydrant at most 200m from the designated house sites.

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by island laddy on Wed Jan 4th, 2006 at 08:57:03 AM MST
(User Info)

a catchment system or pond can double as a heat pump for heating and cooling too. I also find that most fire departments have a floating pump for fire and contacting the local volinteer FD is a great way to familuarize yourself with the equipment and meet your neighbors. From my 1000 sq ft roof I collect into a 3000 gal tank to provide all domstic water and it's overflowing most of the time, but it does help living in a rainforest. see "record rainfall for 2005" http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/122905/sta_20051229010.shtml

Re: Water storage and use (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by Clifford on Sat Jan 7th, 2006 at 09:51:31 PM MST
(User Info)

How about putting in a swimming pool???? :D

Water storage and use | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 editorial)

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