Rain harvesting? Yes, my system is ready!

 

  Well I finished off my rain harvesting system today, (99.99% complete) I need to add a removable cap to outlet and add hose faucet.
First picture, shows location of tank, plumbing from roof.


Next shows the "WeedBeater" roof filter screen used to keep redwood, & fur "beans" & needles and leafs out of the system.  It has a bug screen under the corser screen to keep mosquitos out.


Next shows the plumbing to the tank from the weed beater filter, and the tank overflow outlet.


Next is the tank outlet that i still need to add a removable cap onto the left side,and the plug where a hose faucet will go.


Last is just another shot of the downspout (Conveyance)
to the tank.

  With a storm forcasted for our area, (Wife says up to an 1" Friday -Sat) and half of my roof now draining into the tank, if the rain is that much the tank should fill up over half way.  (1" rain fall in an hour with 1000sq. feet of roof surface will fill 600gal! I  have aprox 1600sq ft but only half plumbed to tank. ) I don't think the rain will be that much, but, whatever falls on the back side of the house is going into my tank!

Excuse my ignorance, but do you drink the stored water or is it just used for outside activities like washing cars, watering lawns and plants, etc.?

Whatever the use of water, very cool.  Way to be efficient.

Michael

That's pretty cool!  If you don't mind me asking what do you have invested in the system?  Seems like a damn good idea.

BRAVO to water conservation!
I too would like to know the cost of your system.
I know it was a lot less expensive and less back breaking than mine.  Someday I will learn. We did a lot of gravel and bark to cover grass areas and added a drip system to save water. We did it all ourselves so our only cost was materials. Took along time but it works for us.

Wow, that is gorgeous Mike.  Great work.

Michael


 

great work.  admire your effort to conserve water and environment. 

  Because my roof is asphalt shingles, we can't drink the water, due to the chemicals in the shingles.  So the water will be used for yard watering.  (When city water is off, we can use the rain water for toilets etc...)
 System's cost was about $500 (Tank was $150) 2" PVC pipe,then all the 2" fittings, ( Tee 90* elbows, 45*elbows, 2" Ball valve Was a little pricy) cement, re bar for the pad and lumber for the box.
System is ready for next rainy season, I don't think were getting much more rain this season now.
 I found the tank used, it was purchased by previous owner as new, but never used. Sat outside at his place of business exposed to elemens for 1.5yrs.  So I saved a little of the cost.  If/ When you go to buy a water tank, there will be "Shipping Charge" or "Delivery charge" added to the total, this is not advertised. I was not aware of this until I made a few calls pricing tanks.  On the few tanks I called on, that charge was another $150.( more as the tank size increases) Just something to keep in mind when you see a price on a tank.

Great work JPT! And Tote, that yard is AWESOME!! I'm sure you don't miss cutting all that lawn.

Z

Nice for sure. In lieu of a rain collector I am getting rid of my lawn in the front. Santa Clara County offered me $1000 to replace it. Now I just need to find a landscaper to help me come up with a design. Anyone have someone they can recommend.

Very cool AND inspiring Troy! Thanks for sharing that.

Nice for sure. In lieu of a rain collector I am getting rid of my lawn in the front. Santa Clara County offered me $1000 to replace it. Now I just need to find a landscaper to help me come up with a design. Anyone have someone they can recommend.

What are you looking to do and how much are you looking to spend?

The project is my front yard (approx 1000 sq ft.) It currently has some grass that I am killing off and some border plants. Not a big project, just the typical suburban front yard. Since I am not working I plan on doing the work (at least most of it myself). I need a someone to come up with a plan that I can follow. Cost is less of a concern. I'd like it to be a nice plan that will quality for the rebate and look good (since its my front yard).

In order to get the $1000 I have to use a list of plants the county gave me. Its a long list. All are low water users and native.

So Ideally, I get a some to design. And I can use the $1K for part of the plants and maybe a gardner to help with some of the grunt work. You know someone?

I actually talked to West Valley College school of Architecture (the landscape classes) to see if a student would like to do the design (that I'd pay them for). No takers so far. Lazy ass kids, I would have jumped at a chance like this when I was in college.

Troy, that is truly some great work! Looks like A design from A battle ship.

   Fridays rain yielded about 125 gallons into the tank.  The smaller 2 55 gal barrel I have set under our temporary (Seasonal) awning, one is topped off full and the other has captured 35 gallons.  The one that's topped was not empty to start, but the other one was.  So about 200 gal stored from a little overnight rain.  Not to bad I think.
  Next rainy season, I have no doubt that the big tank will fill!

Troy, that is just AWESOME!