Rain Water Harvesting System Top Mistakes! Don't Make These!

[@zuzax1656]

Back in the 80's, I had a coworker who had a few acres of land on the outskirts of town in southern New Mexico. On it, he had a pecan orchard. The orchard had it's own well. What was interesting was that he had installed a water tower for the orchard. The orchard well was powered by an old fashioned wind mill with an electric pump as backup. The windmill was strong enough to pump the water from the ground and to the tank (about 20 feet high). When I asked him why the 'antique', he said electricity costs money, the wind is free. Remember, back then, solar cells were expensive and not as good as today's. It might be an option for those who have land where the wind is fairly steady.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Very cool. I wish I lived in a windy area. I think a windmill would be a great addition for something like that.

[@westerncowhand7814]

Actually, almost all of Oregon has a very long drought almost all summer long. Same for western Washington, that's why they have evergreen trees not so much deciduous trees. The size of cistern for this area is absolutely enormous if you are thinking of summer irrigation.

[@zuzax1656]

@@westerncowhand7814 That would depend upon the system used for irrigation. There, he used a buried drip system. Essentially, like a surface drip system, but buried about 3-4 inches under the surface. Because it is buried it doesn't evaporate as quickly as surface drip or sprinklers in the desert heat and can soak down to the roots. Using less water for equal results. The tank was mostly to provide pressure to get the water through the network of plumbing. The point being that if you can find a way to use water efficiently in a desert, it would probably work nearly anywhere else even better. Learn and adapt, repeat. That is what truly separates us from the other animals.

[@FelonyVideos]

In the backwards world we live in today, windmills are crazy expensive. I priced them 2 years ago. It made solar seem cheap, which it is now.

[@zuzax1656]

@@FelonyVideos Windmills, not wind turbines, are very simple machines that could be made from almost anything. I've seen one made from an old bicycle wheel with cardboard taped to the spokes, and a piece of rebar for a shaft, which had a fin on the end to keep it pointed into the wind. It was used to drive a couple of bicycle generators, which charged a motorcycle battery. This was hooked up to some LED lights (Chrismas lights, I think). It was a demonstration of survival techniques in a post apocalyptic world (after a many fermentation-based beverages kind of discussion). In other words, nerds gone wild! Needless to say, not a lot of money spent. Perhaps, it may inspire you to experiment yourself.

[@Off-Grid]

We've been on 100% rainwater for several years now, set-up videos on our channel. We use it for everything in our homestead. 5000 gal is usually enough unless we have a really dry season.

[@keithhughes8010]

Just subscribed to your channel. I look forward to checking it out

[@Off-Grid]

@@keithhughes8010 Thanks. There is a playlist for the water system you should check out.

[@GretchenLee-gu5wn]

@@Off-Grid what is your channel?

[@Off-Grid]

@@GretchenLee-gu5wn The 5th Journey Off-Grid

[@mikeoverlin3573]

Click on their picture

[@emomuzz5883]

You have saved me countless hours of wasted time and frustration. Thank U !

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You're welcome

[@gladtidings4all]

We keeps our under cement shed and blue roof covered. We also have solar water heater and solar water distiller on our cement roof along with wrought iron cage we built on the cement roof to protect from hurricanes. Along with our solar panels for our house and air conditioning. We live in 3.5 acre home on the island. We are retired and we started building our cement house 36 years ago when the economy was good paid cash. I’m a retired nurse, and we didn’t want to live in the states in a cheap wood house. I been married 36 years and we worked hard on our goals. My husband is a workaholic and goal oriented. I learn to do everything in KZbin.

[@livingladolcevita7318]

Some good points there. Perhaps you could have expanded on the subject of area required to catch x amount of water as this is just as important as container size. Also it might be a good idea if people can work out their consumption as well to size their containers. If possible try to bury containers.

[@rayjermyn4541]

I lived for years only on rainwater with a 5000 gallon tank. Sounds like a lot, but moving from town to country, we consumed far more water than we realised. At one point when we had to buy in water by tanker, we stirred up sludge at the bottom of that tank. My biggest learning curve was understanding how much water we used, and also that eventually your body adapts to the taste and bugs in the water ( that included dead birds and a possum in the bottom of that tank sludge). Dont stir it up, leave it be - covering water is important, but expect its going to happen no matter how careful you are

[@GlenHazmatTrahan]

Thanks for the video. We had 10,650 gallons of outside storage and another 3K under the crawlspace for emergencies (think February 2021) and still would watch the collection tank overflow in our NW of Houston household collection system. A couple ideas you may not have considered-we had our tanks in the shaded woods so we painted the tanks forest green but we also painted our above ground PVC piping which made it blend in AND protected it from UV damage. The other thing we learned from the purveyor of Cloud Juice out in Fredricksburg we learned about the importance of collection and holding tanks being separate, and taking the clearest water from the collection tank to keep the holding tank even cleaner.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts re: painting the pvc.

[@steveperreira5850]

@@GlenHazmatTrahan : Wise what you are doing, planning for a disaster that the government will know why be able to help you when it happens

[@bri2233]

I have found with a leaf screen, and first flush diverter, I still get a sediment in my main collecting tank. With mild winters now in Ohio, we have collected water year round for the last few years with the house running only on rainwater. We are now in a "months long drought" with no rain in sight, so will have to haul water now for the first time.

[@wkgurr]

You should match the size of your collection surface to the size of your storage. Otherwise your storage will either remain mostly empty or will regularly overflow. Your water use, size of the collection surface, annual rainfall and size of storage determine the optimal system. Good video that addresses important points re rainwater harvesting.

[@gladtidings4all]

We had ours installed professionally in PR. We have 2 (800) gallons and added water filters I also collect rain water in rain barells for our plants. We keep ours covered when not need to collect water.

[@aztec8888]

Thank you - this information is very useful! I live in Costa Rica and am looking to build a system to store water for the dry season. Your video is filled with great points!

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Glad it was helpful

[@Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

One thing I love about your Channel is that you Talk about More than Solar, (I'm all solared out at the moment lol) and there is more to surviving then just Free Energy. I need to Up my Game and Enjoy Seeing your thoughts and Opinions about other things in Self Presevervation, I need to Up my Water Game and start growing my own food in the space that I have.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I appreciate that. Keep moving forward with all the other aspects of self sufficiency.....you can do it!

[@jamescox2822]

What the hell else are you supposed to use metal the water was just boil away

[@Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

@@jamescox2822 huh???? lol

[@lucasdog1]

Your first flush system needs an adjustment. Incoming water should go into a wye instead of a tee. Have the wye placed lower than the tank input level, straight side down, so when the first flush leg gets full, the water must flow up hill from the wye to the tank. This forces "heavier than water" particles to settle down into the first flush leg while clean water goes to storage. This set up also catches bits that float, like leaf fragments and bug parts, as the surface of water in the pipe is maintained above the storage line. With a tee, as you have set up, anything coming off the roof after the first flush has filled is free to be swept straight into storage.

[@steve37341]

Great info. Didn't think about sealing every single point of entry. One suggestion. Stainless steel screen. More expensive but never degrades. And, on the pond, there is a special fish called "mosquitofish" that helps keep mosquitos knocked down.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for the heads up on the stainless steel screen.

[@steve37341]

@@CountryLivingExperience Yes sir. Not sure if it's ok to give a recommended vendor for that. Made in the US. Family biz for decades. One I have used.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

@@steve37341 Sure. I always like buying USA made items.

[@steve37341]

@@CountryLivingExperience Darby Wire Mesh

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

It's my contention that treatment using Diatomaceous Earth and UV-C sterilization as antimicrobial protection in a clean well maintained rainwater catchment, storage, and distribution system is sufficient for my needs; providing exceptional quality drinking water at a very low cost. Simple filters like fine mesh screen and cotton fabric are perfectly acceptable to clarify and UV sterilize. The activated carbon filtration at the final stage is ideal to control consistent clean taste and smell but I tend to replace it within 30 days to prevent bacterial multiplication. Anyway, I'm relieved of the RO system and filthy contaminated well water.....never have been more pleased than drinking rainwater. 😊

[@zb5797]

Would you recommend two black IBC totes or a vertical water storage tank like you have? What supplier would you recommend purchasing your storage system from? Also, do you run your water directly from your water catchment system to your pressure tank in your well house? Lastly, do you use chlorine tabs at all before drinking it or do you pass everything through your Berkey water filter? Thank you for your time.

[@kennethalmond8922]

Good one - very accurate info! We do 3 x 2500gal tanks from roof -> leaf-strainer (same as you showed) -> 300gal 1st flush -> tanks -> shallow well pump -> water worker -> 20micron -> 5micron -> Class A UV and works very well and seems perfectly safe and good tasting water! We collect / use ~18,000gal per year from 2,000sq ft of roof in Southern Oregon. This runs our home for 9 months (~2000gal/month) but May,Jul,Aug,Sep,Oct is low/no rain... but if we conserved a bit, we could go all year. We're entering year 6 of operation and it only takes yearly filter and 1-2yr UV bulb changes - pretty minimal effort. Oregon allows roof (and only roof) capture for individuals. In early years we used 400micron sock in 1st flush for sediment - but it was just a pain to clean and now we skip straight to the 20micron filter. The 20" filters last a whole year (20,000gal) with no trouble - so just change these out each year. Sediment does settle in bottom of the large 2500gal tanks and with intake 6-8" above the bottom we avoid it.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks. Your system sounds awesome!

[@kennethalmond8922]

Didn't mean it as having a great system but rather wanted to contribute that rainharvest works *really well*, even if you live in a town like we do. Shallow well pumps, filters, water workers, and even UV are ordinary off-the-shelf plumbing components and the overall system is straightforward. Want to join you in trying to bring down the 'it's too complicated or unsafe or too much maintenance' factor and encourage those on the fence to give it a try :)

[@AlanlaCelestina]

when collecting water from the roof, is there concern about any toxic chemicals leaking from the roof material?

[@kennethalmond8922]

Roof material leeching? It's common to have a 1st flush sub-system. The idea is that after a month or 2 or 3 (or longer) dry-spell, dust and other contaminants (bird poop maybe) or shingle chemicals? (not heard of this) or forest fire soot or x,y,z can collect on the roof. When the rainy season begins you start with an empty 1st flush tube or tank that collects the 1st amount of water with the higher concentration of stuff and then the roof is clean and you let the follow on water go into the main tanks. In my case, I have a 300gal 1st flush (for 2000sq foot roof) but that's way overkill - it was just the cheap (small'ish) tank I had on hand. To get back to you're question - I don't think a roof leeches 'stuff' day by day so a washing off the roof makes the remaining water pretty darn clean, certainly safe to filter/UV for consumption. You can use a garden hose to regularly wash off you're roof as well -> 1st flush or direct to overflow. Some use Berkey's downstream for additional cleansing. *I'm no expert, not urging anyone to do anything they aren't comfortable with but absolutely sharing that we've had a great experience. One official reference if it helps - I'm in Oregon and it's encouraged by state publications and our city permits/inspects rainharvest as OK for consumption - which we did. They wanted Class A UV (stronger) instead of Class B UV for example but even though a little more expensive UV but no big deal in the scheme of things.

[@ldygzlle1291]

Great job on this video. Concise and informative. I had a berkey for years until I tested the water. More ppm after the berkey than before filtering. I now use a zero pure because Science is not an opinion. Please test your water and don’t just buy a filter because someone said it was good but didn’t provide evidence. And if you still want a berkey I have one for sale cheap

[@ravenlorans]

I collect rainwater in Plastic garbage cans from Walfart.. The Cheap Ones.. I have 5. Enough to Bathe and for toilet water and for my dog to drink.. Drinking water I get from the 3 GOOD Neighbors who have wells. If I need to get drinking water from the Plastic garbage cans, I use the Filter that screws to the hose connection that is meant for R/V's and Campers.. Only $35 and just get a new one as Needed. Last a Long Time since I only go through 14 gallons every 10-14 days.. Depends on how much I cook.

[@stevepailet8258]

Recently bought a couple of spin down filters after those I have 1 1/2 inch big blue filters first one has a charcoal filter the second on houses ceramic candles these are the same filter as in the Berkey but they are shaped a bit differently Eventually after the ceramics I will put in a uv light The thing to remember about a uv is that the wather has to be clear enough that no water is being shaded by even the smallest sediment or the light might not actually hit whatever is left in the water. The big blue is a 10 inch diameter filter housing.. so they are big. They are made by Doulton filter

[@JohnFinzel]

Not only can a well become contaminated but they can also go dry

[@timgerk3262]

@@JohnFinzel ground water is not all equal. Hard water is common, but in my volcanic area, anything a lab can measure is in that nasty brine.

[@RedFlyerMedia]

No e explanation! I live in an rv park, but the owner is a homesteader with a similar system for his home. I am talking with him about a small set up for my spot. Fingers crossed he ok’s the idea & design.

[@lindasue8719]

Maybe even before number one, one needs to check their bylaws. I was really taken aback a few years ago to discover some places do not allow you to collect rainwater (because it will lead to shortages in areas downstream).

[@judithmcdonald9001]

Good information and warnings about collecting. Water is heavy and homeostatic.

[@texasrepubliccofarm]

Thanks for the capacity comparison for your use case. We are also in East TX and I have been trying to figure out what we will need once onsite full time. I was going to plan on 6000 potable and I already have 2000 between garden (unfiltered) water and trailer potable (just meaning I have it filtered/purified when it comes out). When we are full time, it will only be 2 adults, dogs and whatever animals we get. Helps to know that your family is under suppled at 5k. Thinking I may need upward of 10k to be safe for an extended dry summer. I am glad the shoulder seasons are far less of an issue as we do get a fair amount of rain, Spring in particular.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You're welcome. Glad it was helpful. I think you will be good to go with 10k gallons. That is what I am building up to as well.

[@davej7458]

In my part of Oregon we have rain for six months and no rain for six months. If your rain water collection is the primary water system or is a real backup system it requires alot of storage. Tanks as you can afford them is the obvious way to go. How do you protect your tanks and collector pipes in the winter.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Fortunately we don't really have to protect the pipes too much here in the winter. The pump and pipes connecting to it will be enclosed and insulated for this winter since that is new.

[@davej7458]

@@CountryLivingExperience Thank you.

[@judithmcdonald9001]

Yes, having more snow than rain prohibits so many good ideas concerning water. I'm putting in a graywater drain for my shower and am wondering if I'll need heat tape on it or just take lots of showers

[@clarencewiles963]

Also check with your community as some locations are illegal. Thumbs up 👍

[@Doc1855]

Like WA state, a communist ran state

[@craigf3277]

Do it and don't get caught.

[@Doc1855]

@@craigf3277 We have a nosey neighbor who (we wish were dead) that squeals on everyone. Yet he grows weed in his basement

[@YoooItsRex]

Definitely check to make sure it’s legal first. THEN design/disguise your system appropriately.

[@paperburn]

@@Doc1855 sounds to me like you can negotiate an accord

[@dawienatral7083]

great video,what graidant should the roof be at ,and i know it varies on where you are but rough cost of those black 2.500ltr tanks?

[@minionman6177]

Good tips. Understanding your circumstances is key to the capacity question. Roof square footage, rainfall amounts, when you need irrigation vs when the drought period is, house hold consumption rates. For me the key criteria was not irrigation but household use during the drought period for 'emergency' needs. With a very large roof area for collection the spring time gardening is not an issue given the more frequent rain fall. Poor folks in AZ. That's a hard one.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks.

[@stultusvenator3233]

With arial sprayed pesticides and other contaminates in the air, just don't be so sure the water is so good, not like great Granma's day. Filter and treat it.

[@zh1959]

GREAT INFO THANKS FROM PAKISTAN!🙂

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You're welcome

[@edwardgilmour9013]

Thanks for a well presented and balanced presentation. That was interesting. Texas has a similar climate to my area of Australia.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You’re welcome

[@brocklievsay8262]

any tips or pointers for climates that are really cold in the winter? Perhaps I will have to get burry-able tanks and burry them and add heat tape to the roof, gutters, and corresponding exposed pipes?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You have the right idea. Buried tanks and heat tape are your best options.

[@olov244]

some IBC totes are from hardwood mulch dye. it's water soluble and stains the tank darker. that's what I'm planning on using

[@juliehorney995]

Tu. Can you talk about types of roofs and their contaminants? Right now from our asphalt roof we are using the rain water only for ornamental plants.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Since we have filtration after the collection (including the berkey in the house), I am not really worried about it. Metal roofs are the best for low contamination however.

[@rosa632]

Thank you for sharing. Do you have a step by step build video?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You're welcome. At the end of the video, I linked the entire playlist of the build videos.

[@stever2583]

Interesting system... Inefficient though! Collection, Filtration, Storage - you need focus. Collection is simple right - Not so much. When you collect with just simple slopes you are also collecting all the debris and soils of animal life, pollution, feces from whatever critters get on your slope system. Slow the collection of water down, turbulence just moves tons of debris with the water. Next have a rough filter, Scotch brite is a remarkable collector of debris that is easy to clean. Scotch Brite's come in many sizes. On your slope have a screen, under that have the scotch brite's, under that have a wash board system. Don't think of this system as necessarily vertical - angled is better but the basic angle should be no more than 45 deg. With any luck the world where you life has nothing else to throw at your collection. The screen diverts the large debris, the Scotch Brite's collect bits of leaves, bird feces, bugs etc. And then the washboard - you want it to divert the water over it yet have the washboard at a slight angle at right angle to the basic slope. (that angle removes the sand and grit that clogs everything if given a chance. At this point you have close to 95% of the debris filtered out. Next comes the true filtration, I would suggest a 3 stage in diminishing diameters. Get the best system you can afford here. Direct the water into the clean storage tanks. Keep the entirety of the system critter free - even mosquitos and smaller. Use micro screens where possible ( they are made of Stainless Steel and come in unbelievably fine mesh. The entrance to the storage must be clean, sealed and somewhat critter proof. If you can keep your over flo away from the ceiling of the storage1-2 inches is plenty.Condensation combined with any life form can create a hazard you do not expect. @ 2 inches from the bottom of the storage have a connection tree (large hose connection for irrigation, regular hose connection, and a small diameter connection attached to a clear poly tube that you keep attached to the storage vertically. That is your storage capacity meter.

[@Outdoor-Hour]

You have a lot of interesting ideals about rain water encatchment systems. Can you please show your system and how it processes from start to finish?

[@jimoray3]

Great content as usual. Many blessings

[@Robertbush-s7t]

Always make it where you can add to it

[@johnathangoldsworthy]

have you tried a grey water system from your shower and washing machine for irigation you will save so much water per year

[@CountryLivingExperience]

We have. We did a whole video on that here......kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGq9eKB7aLxnptE

[@mgoh1984]

Harvesting rainwater is great if you can, but the best water for irrigation is from rivers or ponds, then rainwater.

[@squirrel1179]

It's just a random idea, and I'm not sure if it's worth the power consumption or not. What about installing a circulatory pump with a filter on the storage tanks, kind of like on a cheap above ground pool to help pre-filter fine sediment and if any bugs do get in. I would assume you'd only have to run the pumps a couple of hours a day.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

That would be a good added layer but not sure about the payoff since we have all the other filtration.

[@Slaughter08-qq3hk]

Wow thanks for mentioning PHILIPPINES. Im a Filipino. Thanks a lot nee subscriber❤

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Salamat!

[@terencechandler845]

I use those clear totes the first one is green the other is perfect. I filter all the water I drink from these totes regardless of the green n the lining of the tank. The water is crystal clear with the odd Wrigley too. Filtration is key.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Filtration is important. Watch out for micro-organisms.

[@HippocratesGarden]

If I may, I suggest the "Essential Rainwater Harvesting" course by Verge Permaculture. A whole lot more detailed, research based info from two mechanical engineers and an enginner/professor from Australia. There are several myths busted, and common sense but rarely talked about details, such as filtering as much as is needed, for the intended use, such as not doing high level or ultra filtration just to water a garden. They have a very extensive and detailed spreadsheet tool for estimating catchment area and storage based on 30 years of hourly rainfall data for - where you live -, and how to find that data to input.

[@AndrewLander3]

Good, we are still searching for a good idea for a cistern plus filter. Mindanao, Philippines, Animals and coffee and coconuts.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I was just there in September.

[@draperone371]

Thank you ❤ 😊

[@BigRoss246]

How do you manage freezing in the tanks? Northeast here and I can’t do a tank if that size but a 55 gallon I think will freeze. What is commonly done? Thanks. Good video

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You're welcome. Luckily I live in TX and don't have to deal with that much. All of the supply lines are underground so they are freeze protected. The tanks are black and absorb a lot of heat from the sun. The amount of water in there should not freeze completely in most areas.

[@commonsense246]

Our system is just like your, but we have 2 5K tanks, same set up as you. We use a German Wize VOrtex filter and then UV and standard cannister filters 5micron and 2 micron I think. We test our water once a year, it's always 99% pure and bacteria free. We've never come close to running out of water.. Arkansas has plenty of rain.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Awesome!

[@aylarobinson556]

Thank you so much God Bless you.

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

Just want to point out that *parts* of Oregon get lots of rain. Most of Oregon does not get much rain, and *all* of Oregon gets *no* rain at all for months in the summer. Thus, for truly effective rain collection, you need enough water stored to span that dry spell.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Every place is different. Everyone is encouraged to do their own research as to the rainfall in their area. As a whole, Oregon gets more rainfall than the majority of the rest of the country sans New Hampshire and South Florida.

[@andrewsackville-west1609]

@@CountryLivingExperience yes, and I don't mean to imply otherwise. You said that in Oregon, because of our heavy rainfall, you don't need a lot of storage. I'm only suggesting that in fact it's the opposite. One needs a lot of storage to get through the dry period.

[@Sonny-ik9rv]

Believe that having a fountain or pump in your ponds will help control the mosquito issues because they can't lay eggs in moving water.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

@@Sonny-ik9rv yes, that will help too.

[@meljordan220]

Plus it adds air to the water for the fish if you have fish.

[@umustbbornagainActs2-38]

Just ordered 2 chemguard black 500 gallon tanks. Gonna build a water tower from 4" sch 40 pipe and put one up high for pressure and the otter down low to catch rainwater and water from the creek nearby. Gonna figure the rest as i go

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Awesome!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You’re welcome

[@melvinbush3852]

I have a pool pump on mine 400 pound to filter the water from my 250 gallon tank to the tanks I use

[@PaulDukich]

What do you do about contaminants in the water from the roof such as bird droppings and such?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

With the multiple layers of filtration, I am not worried about it. The Berkey is the last line of defense for us for drinking water.

[@PeterLawton]

His first-flush diverter handles the bulk of that, and his Berkey handles the rest.

[@powerwagon3731]

In the past few years Colorado has made rainwater legal to collect, so you might want to check your local laws. I’m in the mountains and on a fantastic well with unmetered use and it’s legal for me to water outside. I still want to catch rain off the roof so thanks for the ideas!

[@jessemartinez8158]

I live in central valley in california. how many tanks would I need ?

[@TommysLesPaul]

Fantastic video. Starting now.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thank you.

[@keithhughes8010]

Very well done video

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thank you

[@michaellewis876]

Hey Everyone Remember to check yr info these ch give out. 1) First Flush systems 2) Good if Desired correctly 3) the length of your Gutters - being the Collection area 4) All of these Gutters would just love a good clean out first before all debris goes into your main tank 5) Look at the Size of the First Flush Pipework collection Eg maybe a Gallon or 2 Do you think this little amount will Flush out most of the dirt out of your Gutters - No way So they are a good idea with little actual results. 6) you would need a 2nd or 3rd big tank to collect 10 or 20 Gallons as being your First filter tank for non drinking water.

[@carolewarner101]

The problem with living in Oregon (we do) is that for about 3 months in the summer it basically does NOT rain at all, and can get quite hot and sunny (and hotter earlier and longer with every year that passes it seems these days...). So, if you're relying on rain water catchment as your sole source of water here, you need to size your storage capacity to take that into account. Of course you could always (maybe) contract a water truck to come and fill up your tank if you run out, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable with having to rely on that as things progress. The other thing is that summer is when we're growing most of our food for the year, so you've got to factor in water for your garden and any critters if you have any...and THAT is likely going to be the biggest problem honestly. (We're still building our home.) One thing is for sure. Your water system and methods for your food production here must be set up to optimize every drop if you're relying on rainwater collection! Drip irrigation under a layer of mulch & watering the cooler night time hours to decrease evaporation and get every drop possible down to the roots of your plants; shade cloth over crops where possible (especially those that like cooler temps and less harsh sunlight); drought hardy plant selections; getting all your starts going as early as possible while it's STILL raining so they're strong and hardy when transplanted into the garden; LOTS of organic matter in your soils and extensive use of mulch; grey water reuse on trees and where appropriate on other crops (which means totally biodegradable soaps only going down one's drain); waterless, composting toilet systems so you aren't wasting any water flushing all your fertility away where you can't get to it to use it; and just being mindful of using water very conservatively during the dry season. As it happens, we're fortunate to also have a year round (so far) spring higher up on our land, but we have SUCH restrictive water use laws in this state that we're not allowed to use that at this point. However, if we tap it I think it may qualify as a "shallow well," but we shall see. It may be that we'll "divert" the flow a bit in summer to at least water food crops and critters, but technically that's not allowed here since we don't have a water right. We're seriously considering digging water retention ponds around the place, but that I think that too has a lot of red tape and permits involved...unless we just 'don't know any better' and do so quietly under the radar. I do think that such ponds would be allowed for fire prevention/mitigation purposes by the water master, but not necessarily for any other uses, again we'll see. Lastly, we've heard mutterings of things in the works to outlaw or limit rain water harvesting off one's roof here...which I find to be incredibly shocking and wrong. SO, we've been told by those more in the know than we to hurry up and get our systems all in and hooked up so they'll be grandfathered in before such things go into effect! Last resort for us will be to dig a well, but we're hoping to avoid it. Many of our neighbors say that they're noticing their wells are producing less each year or even going dry and having to dig them deeper. One person in our area drilled 2 or maybe 3 dry holes before hitting water! If you ask me it's STUPID to limit rainwater harvesting when it rains here for 8 months straight and require people drill wells instead to drain our watershed out. Far better IMHO to allow people to use the water that hits their roofs in abundance for most of the year to tide them through the summer. Regulations...you can't live with 'em and you can't live without 'em. Grrrrr...

[@NatureZone101]

Very helpful. My question, which many people don't seem to address is about droppings on the roof? Birds, Squirrels, etc and going to leave feces / urine on the roof no matter how hard people try to keep it clean. How is all of that addressed properly to the highest degree of safety?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

The multiple filters I pointed out collect a vast majority of the sediment from those things you mention. At then end of the system we have a Berkey filter to purify for drinking. Some people use a small amount of bleach in the tank or a UV light treatment system.

[@NatureZone101]

@@CountryLivingExperience Thanks

[@gretafields4706]

Yes. What worries me is the oily or dirty film off of a metal roof. Rsin just doesnt seem to clean off my metsl roofs, ever.

[@kcmgfarm2389]

There wasn't a link in the description for the 2500 gal tanks, how much are they? Love these types of videos Kate

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks. We got the tanks through Home Depot. Here is a link to one...homedepot.sjv.io/bax9kv

[@appalachianheartsong5487]

@@CountryLivingExperience Lowe’s has a 2500 gal tank (looks nearly identical) for $1800, which is really good since we generally see prices around $1 per gallon.

[@stevepailet8258]

remember that gravity can really be your friend.. With this in mind try to mount your tanks as high above your outlets as possible.. This is why cities build water towers or mount tanks as high as they are able to. This also means build your roof at a high point on your property. You will get about 40 pounds of pressure if you can mount your tanks up say 100 ft above you highest outlet.

[@gretafields4706]

I have small pressure pumps in the basement. I installed my own. Water comes into my basement at 40 lbs psi from gravity. When it goes through the pump, an air bladder squashes the water down under pressure and releases it to the house at 40-60 lbs. Psi. It has plenty volume. You dont want it over 60 or it may blow the lines apart, causing leaks where you glued line together.

[@johnh9748]

The hydrostatic head pressure of water is 0.433 psi/foot of head. a 100 foot hydrostatic head would be needed to supply water at 40 psi after friction reduction in the pipes.

[@Brood_Master]

Something else you can mention is to paint your tanks and all exposed plastic infrastructure. This will increase the life of your investment by protecting the plastic from the suns damaging UV rays.

[@arthouse9696]

Great video, thanks! I’m wondering how long you can safely store the water with this set up (dark tanks, screens and secure openings, Dunkits)? Do you have to do anything else or add anything else for it to last 6 months or more? maybe up to 8 months? Thinking of subtropical regions with an actual monsoon season of 4 to 5 months with the rest of the year dry.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You're welcome. I honestly don't know what the longevity of the water would be. I have never researched that. Theoretically, you can filter any water not matter how old it is.

[@arthouse9696]

Thanks 😊

[@gladtidings4all]

We use those dunks too

[@JuanRodriguez-qr3yq]

Thank you for the tips

[@CountryLivingExperience]

you're welcome

[@WalterPidgeonsForge]

I wonder how much roofing material choice affects the water quality.. It seems that asphalt shingles would release som toxic/damaging things as they get heat cycled and that those things would pass through any screens.. It seems like metal roofing would be a better choice if you had it to make.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

It affects it. Metal is best. It is all about your filtration after the fact.

[@EK--ry3lr]

I don't know if I knew you were also in East Texas! We sure aren't having issues with low rain this year 😂

[@CountryLivingExperience]

No issues at all. More rain in July than I have seen in the past 8 years.

[@10InchSnow]

So inspiring!!

[@gynocentrismergomgtow]

How have the Berkey filters been performing on your rain harvested water?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Great. No issues.

[@dellmerlin6328]

I live in a dryer climate. Is it a good or bad idea to collect rain water from a solar panel array?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Absolutely. It is glass on the solar panels you would be collecting from.

[@iiinsaiii]

Nice system, but you over fill is higher then your fill line. Shouldn’t it be lower? Once it’s fill it will be flowing back out the full line before it reaches the over feel line.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thank you. It looks like the inflow is higher but it is actually not. It is slightly higher. Camera can be deceiving.

[@Kate-nc4yt]

Around here it's a drought & wells are running dry

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Same for us. Glad I have some rainwater backup.

[@doghouse416]

What is your water pressure at full capacity. (Gravity, not electric pump)?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

About 9-10 psi when full.

[@doghouse416]

@@CountryLivingExperience enough to allow water to at least run out of a faucet?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

@@doghouse416 Depends on the size of pipe and how long the pipe run is.

[@doghouse416]

@@CountryLivingExperience I'm placing my 1500-gallon tank up on a 6ft concrete pad that gives me a total lift of 15ft above the house slab. I have a 40ft pipe run sized at 2" that tapers to the 3/4" copper at the house valve and then drop to 1/2" copper to the fixtures. I'm hoping to at least have "some" pressure at the sink to wash dishes during a long power outage here in hurricane Fl. But I also have 4,000lbs of NiFe battery bank (48volts) and 30 solar panels. With your pressure being what it is, I estimate mine to be a couple psi more, but I can't find a "table" that will give me a number, and you're the first guy I've seen who used gravity to feed your system.

[@lfuqua981]

Should one put chemicals in the tank to keep it free from algae?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You should get the black tanks so that algae doesn’t grow in the first place. You can add a few caps of bleach if you like

[@honeybee6674]

Should I build it on the high of my property? There is no structure out there. Can I send you a picture of my property so you see how it is shaped? I guess I would have to have a plumber put it together.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

It all depends. You need a roof to collect it. If it is going to be too cost prohibitive to build a structure with a roof at the high point and then add a water tank, then don't do it. I might add it next to your house, collect rainwater off the existing roof, and add a pump. That will cost a lot less I am sure.

[@Roninphoto]

Just found your channel. Moving to Texas and want a rain water carmtchment system. If I need help in setting one up who should I seek out?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Welcome to Texas. I advocate all DIY on my channel. I do it all myself so I don’t know of anyone. Sorry

[@Roninphoto]

@CountryLivingExperience Thanks for the response. On critical high ticket projects I don't trust myself.

[@patatjeoorlog6658]

What about freezing temperatures?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

We haven't had an issue here in Texas. Pipes are underground.

[@MissionRiderMotovlogOfficial]

We know how dangerous mosquitoes are. Watching from the Philippines

[@ridingvenus]

2:54 what about Pahoa & other areas of Hawaii?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Suppose I should have said continental US.

[@MrVictorchase]

How do you add electrolyte minerals to the rain water, for drinking?

[@rafikizawadi6113]

Lemon juice.

[@Man_Of_My_Word]

Average rainfall in Phoenix Arizona is less than 8 inches of rain per year.

[@CloudWalker33]

I can't find a tank this large near me. I've been looking for quite some time. Anybody have a connection near Auburn Alabama?

[@Ctobefree]

How do you remove the nano nano and what is sprayed in air that lands in it?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Multiple layers of filtration

[@springflowerdark2137]

Could you link the filteration parts? I did not see those listed

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Sorry, yes. Here they are: Parts Used In This Video: Norwesco 2500 gallon Rainwater Collection Tank: www.homedepot.com/p/Norwesco-2500-Gal-Black-Vertical-Water-Tank-40631/206479621 Blue Mountain Co. Rainwater Harvest Parts: Leaf Eater: amzn.to/3F49NxR First Flush:amzn.to/3zRM28d Over Flow: amzn.to/2ZMHWC8 Tank Level Guage: amzn.to/3CWWbmb 3" PVC Pipe and elbows as needed. 1.5" PVC Pipe, 1.5" male threaded to female slip, 90 degree elbow, 1.5" DWV (Dish Washer) Trap Adapter Vent

[@POSMhorsefarmer7]

Thank you. :)

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You’re welcome

[@gladtidings4all]

We don’t have open water. Our cisterns are grey color.

[@kathygarner419]

There are strict restrictions on capturing rain water in Oregon.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Sadly

[@troydefond2307]

the Berkeley is not great. I would look into it. y'all need some type of uv filter for ur drinking water for it to he safe.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Berkey is better than most. I have looked at many. I know UV is good, I may add that in the lineup.

[@malachiarmenta6118]

Do you have any recommendations on systems that would be used to pump the harvested rainwater to power the home or agriculture sites? All new to me. Thank you

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I am not sure how that would be done. Sorry

[@TubeOnRichard]

Catching rain from a roof makes it vulnerable to to bird and animal crap, how do you deal with that?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Filtering in many stages. There is not that much bird droppings that are on my roof.

[@jameslee-dp6cb]

I'm glad it's working for right now, but you need to understand something. Rain water won't work in the future unless you treat the water. As more methane erupts from the Arctic tundra, it rises into the upper atmosphere where it traps 10 X more heat than CO2. As temperatures rise more and more methane will erupt. Methane has a life cycle of about 10 years. This means it stays in the upper atmosphere for about a decade. Then it mixes with water vapor and rains down as acid rain. In sufficient amounts, rain water will become toxic. You will need to mix the rainwater with limestone to remove the acid in the water. A PH reading will have to be monitored carefully. Be aware, too much lime is not good either. A charcoal system would help as well. Charcoal has a way of neutralizing the PH of water. Good luck.

[@gretafields4706]

I live in coal mining area. We get pollution from northern cities in the air too. Something made the rain actually reddish one day. I had dishes sitting in the yard. The rain fell in them. It wasnt from a well. I guess it was acid rain???

[@David-ki2dl]

Metal roofs are the best for rain water collection, Shingles are the worst,

[@CountryLivingExperience]

True

[@mikelaney3026]

Thank you young man I appreciate you taking the time to help us out. God bless you and yours and God bless the USA

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You’re welcome

[@sojourner57]

As a resident of SW Washington state and native Oregonian, I have a slight correction to add: Only the WESTERN parts of Washington and Oregon have plentiful rainfall. The western part of Washington's Olympic Peninsula has the highest rainfall in the Continental USA, outside of Hawaii. That said, EASTERN Washington and Oregon are high desert, and have dramatically LESS rainfall than the areas west of the Cascades. Regardless, point well taken that areas with higher rainfall averages require smaller catchment systems. Thanks!

[@Offgridintexas]

Can you paint tanks to kept algae out of tanks

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Yes. You will probably need several coats of paint.

[@Offgridintexas]

Ok thanks

[@JBPowell-y9m]

For my pond I have stocked Gambusia Holbrooki native to the SE US and Florida for mosquito control. I don't want to be "that guy" who introduced an invasive species, and Florida already has too many ecologically detrimental invasive species unfortunately :/

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Very cool

[@richvail7551]

Most videos people have the white tanks, I wouldn’t have guessed that that many people were doing it wrong. I would have been on that list until I watched this video.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Glad this was helpful