THIS Cost $2500 | Total Cost And Materials For Our Earthbag Rainwater Harvesting Cistern

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much for watching! We hope you gave a fantastic day. Check out our new Facebook group here: facebook.com/groups/greensteaders/ Don't forget you can find us on Instagram here: instagram.com/greendreamproject And Facebook here: facebook.com/greendreamproject1

[@jaylast1958]

Thankyou for these videos, you guys are doing some awesome stuff out there!!! A question of practicality from someone that has only dabbled so far - would it make sense in some circumstances to simply dig the hole and just line that? What is the real purpose for earthbags when already in the ground and using a liner?

[@judya.shroads8245]

A couple that works together, stays together. This build is amazing and so are you.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much Judy!

[@brandondarling4295]

The couple that works together, stays together.

[@brett9860]

The amount of physical labor you both put into this project is incomprehensible for most people. I have worked in construction for 40 years, all I can say is Wow and maybe you need a tractor. What a great job.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Brett!

[@jasonpritchard1961]

I'm shopping for a 10k gallon direct burial right now in Cali & all the numbers I'm getting are in the $20,000.00 range! You guys killed it & you will never regret going that big... especially when water becomes more valuable than gold! I know this is old but thought it would add to the awesomeness of what you guys accomplished... keep on keepin' on!

[@mathewritchie]

The value of water is directly related to scarcity:if you are dying of thirst it is more valuable than gold.If you are drowning then water has is worthless.

[@videolabguy]

I have to admire your persistence most of all. There were moments where I couldn't see your vision. But, then you'd do the next episode and I would sit up straight and exclaim, "Ah ha!". Keep going. Your race has barely begun.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!

[@katiethorne22]

WELL DONE TO BOTH OF YOU. What an an amazing job, you both should be extremely proud of this accomplishment. When you first started, I thought to myself 'This will take them forever😳'. Well, 'Forever' is here. Congratulations on this major milestone of your dream home😃

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! Thank you. It felt like forever, but we're finally done and ready for those monsoon rains. 😀

[@PrairiePlantgirl]

Don’t forget the savings in gym memberships and workout equipment 😊. This is an amazing accomplishment. 👏.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! Too true. We forgot to factor that in.😆

[@Betterfoodforbettermood]

You guys are nothing less than a tough warriors. super motivators of self reliance.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!

[@davideggleston2752]

Living in Az myself this gives me great feeling that one day I'll have my own off grid retirement home. After they stated their cost I had to see how much a tank that size would cost...😱😂 they go from 12k-15k, don't for forget the install and deliver. The hard work pays off and looks beautiful! Keep it up you two.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you! I had done some research on tank cost before, but thank you for those numbers.

[@davideggleston2752]

@@ourselfreliantlife the tank price was more for your viewers.

[@DoctorWonka]

Coming from a guy who has done a LOT of home construction projects himself, this projects may have been financially cheap, but there has to be a value for your own time and labor. Because building that looks like a heII of a lot of work for a man and woman! If you two really built it by just yourselves by hand, I’ve got to hand it to you both!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We did do it by ourselves. 😁 It was just a warm up for the house.

[@dtm6215]

Wow. Living in the Midwest we build Cisterns so differently. Coming from the Midwest It just doesn’t look like it would hold water but I’m sure it functions perfectly.

[@theducklinghomesteadandgar6639]

Green Dream Project Jim and Jessica, My Uncle and I are looking at some land around St Johns, AZ and are going to live off grid, build us a cistern and house from earthbags as well!!! You guys did a fantastic job with this!!! Your filming is awesome, your work and work ethic is superb, before you know it you'll have your house done as well. You need to either get something to leach the toxicity from the cement or seal it so it won't leach into the rain water...unless Ferrocement is already nontoxic, I haven't researched it to know!!!! The surface area of the top of your cistern with the gutter is 415.27 ft2. For every 1000 ft2 and 1" of rain one collects 600 gallons of water. So, at your basically 415 ft2 which is a little less than 1/2 the 1000 ft2 you will collect just off the cistern approximately ***250 gallons*** of water for every 1" of rain you get, just off of the cistern!!! You figure your area because it's round, by taking the radius and square it then multiply by Pi/3.14, so 11.5 X 11.5 X 3.14 = area of 415.27 ft2!!! I'm so happy for you guys!! Thank you for sharing your journey!!!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much! Good luck on your search.

[@sarahallgood798]

You two are a powerful team.

[@koreansantaclaus1580]

Thumbs up to this amazing couple, very inspirational for the people dreaming self sufficiency outdoors lol

[@eleanorchapple8772]

That’s an amazing structure. And to have made it yourselves brings it to whole other level of accomplishment. By the way was the digger a free gift from a friend. If so big bonus.

[@TheMindfulHomestead]

So awesome to see the breakdown. Way less than I would have expected. Way to go guys!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Jack! I was a little surprised too when we crunched the numbers.😆

[@redblanket5676]

I showed my mother what your doing so she could understand why im going that direction for my grand children. She really enjoyed watching you.while we were at my gallery.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

That's awesome! We're glad she enjoyed the videos. Did she get a better feel for the lifestyle?

[@Mumakinder]

no words could say how much i admire you guys, absolutely awesome big hugs all round x

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much!

[@lapislazuli455]

Amazing job! Has this 14000 gallon cistern ever been full with rainwater? What was the most rainwater you were able to collect per rain?

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We just finished building this not too long ago. So there's barely any water in it. We've started building an earthbag root cellar now.

[@yvonnestark8989]

You two can be so proud of yourself, what an amazing job! The price was definitely right and I love the way it looks! Now, let the rains come!! 🌧️👍😀

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Yvonne! I think this monsoon season is going to be that much more special.

[@backcountrypreps6171]

Congratulations on the completed project. After watching all the videos of your sistern build, I've decided one thing. I'm definitely buying pre-made water tanks LOL you guys put a lot of work into that and I admire that.

[@nitanice]

I'm so impressed! I'm from the VI, and it's the law to have cisterns there. For a normal average home, we figure the cost is around $30 to $45K. Most people I know with a normal house have at least 15K gallons. The law states (simplified) that every square foot of roof = cubic foot of water. $2500 is beyond amazing!

[@puppyupper4565]

governments can be silly. In Oregon it is against the law to collect rainwater. I'm all for collecting it, just not government mandates. Hawe an awesome week in the beautiful VI

[@abdelmalekbeo7576]

Beauty is in simplicity. This couple is humbled and beautiful, not only I like watching them achieving their project, I also like how they correctly name insects, which makes this friendly channel perfect for family and all audiences. I gladly subscribed and I can't wait to see you starting on the house project. It will be nice if you add a Q & A session at the end of each video. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Well done.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!

[@adamgarza214]

Great job guys. I watched it being built. No doubt about it, it was a lot of work.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Adam!

[@mikenkaried4543]

cool fun project.. although I am not sure about everyone else watching, but still wondering how you plan to sanitize that much water and keep it sanitized... I mean pretty much everything on this planet wants to get into your cistern and live there...

[@AnAlaskaHomestead]

Greensteader here🤘 Congratulations on a job well done. I know you both poured a ton of sweat Equity into this project. I hope it provides you with free water for 100+ years.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you! Man, I can't believe we finished this thing. It was a beast of a project, but we're ready for the house now.😀

[@kurtcurtis2730]

100 years - those are some darn good vitamins! Sign me up!

[@AlsanPine]

absolutely brilliant. i have 10K for my orchard and love it. i am in much colder region so mine is fully under ground and i did not put outlet at the bottom keeping my liner in tact. i am on solar power and pump the water out from top.

[@Saxysellig]

Damn, this is hardcore physical work, I think you're the reincarnations of some pyramid ou cathedral builders, and the result is amazing and priceless in terms of autonomy, congratulations!

[@kurtcurtis2730]

100 years from now humans will say it was made with Extra-Terristerial technology because NO way did mere human strength build it...

[@DIYSolarandWind]

Keep on rockin in the free world. I would like to see a double size garden before you start the house. How about a shade tree in your little oasis and fruit trees. I will always watch your videos, like Dan said because your always doing stuff.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you! We definitely have to get planting soon. I want to get stuff in the ground before monsoons.

[@erizfolkz31]

For future reference, for making liners. Sew old bedsheets together, then soak them in melted bees wax. Particularly the dirtiest part of the bees wax. (The throw away portion). Seems like the grit in it helps seal better. This is what my landscaping guy does for small backyard coy fish ponds.

[@survivinglife__unplugged]

Wow! That's going to be a lot of water! You built something amazing that should last for many many years. Great job y'all! 👏👏👏👏💚

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Debbie!

[@joeGuizan]

Wow, months of labor as self employment to secure free water for lifetime. Great deal, great idea. Kudos👍👍👍

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

can you believe its finished already? you guys work great together, a job well done.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Joey! We can't believe it's done. Just have to fine tune a few things.

[@BuckJones1909]

I really enjoy absorbing your knowledge! TY TY TY!!!!

[@TheTinkerersWife]

Such an impressive build. I admire you both for your sticking to this one. Wow. Hat's off!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Patty!

[@juliaperryman]

This project is invaluable, congratulations 👏 and thank you for constantly being a homesteading inspiration/aspiration.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!😀

[@janpetersen750]

Wow! You guys are absolutely amazing! I’m so excited to see the finished product! Come on monsoons!!!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We're ready for those rains!!😀

[@mishax67]

You guy are literally RockStars!!! It looks AMAZING!! 💕💕🤗💧💧💧Bring on the monsoon!!😃

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!

[@ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune]

Awesome job y’all. Hard work pays off

[@ourselfreliantlife]

It absolutely does! Thanks y'all!🙏

[@greendreamoasis9022]

The cost is amazing!@ thank you We build fish pond/swimming pool my cat and me and God Natural filtration homemade water filter

[@sandhollowhomestead6972]

Now you know what you can accomplish by working together! Congratulations for a job well done and I look forward to your epic home-build in the future!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Butch!

[@JMF1992]

This is amazing, but I wanted to see the connections and hear about the amount of rain you typically get, how long it takes to fill, what you use it for, etc.

[@brusselsprout5851]

I’m looking for the follow up!!!

[@vincentgolden5352]

My pap had a 4000 gallon cistern that lasted us about a month i think once yours gets full your going to be good guy's takecare and keep safe

[@HonestOpenPermaculture]

Congratulations guys! I can't wait to see it in action.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Bill! Monsoon season is going to be crazy exciting. 😀

[@kingtut5923]

I am really glad I found your site , see you someday, from Canada.

[@richardcompton2555]

What an amazing job you two executed. I so look forward to your house build. Keep up the good work!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Richard!

[@alb2571]

Que gran idea! Y que bien ejecutada! Me encantan sus videos y siempre son muy ilustrativos, gracias por enseñarnos como desafiar al sistema y aprovechar los recursos disponibles. Dios los bendiga amigos. Saludos desde la Baja Sur!

[@thomastroub4563]

You guys did a wonderful job....watching you toil away for the last several weeks, well months, I wasn't really sure how it would turn out. But in the end, you did it and you most certainly gave me reasons to consider something similar for my own purposes :)

[@ourselfreliantlife]

That's awesome! Thanks Thomas!

[@valeriemcmellon3382]

Amazing job you guys!! You have totally given my husband and I both inspiration and hope for our future off grid life!! We are currently in escrow on our new 41 acre homestead in Northern AZ (coconino county)!! I'm behind on videos because we have been busy but...can't wait to see what's next. Thanks so much for sharing your journey ❤️

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Congratulations!! That's awesome! Thank you for being a part of our journey and best of luck on yours.🙏

[@henrymorgan3982]

Life is an education. Good job!

[@BuildingFromScratch]

I love this. I am planning to buy some property in the same area. Don't be surprised if I stop by and get some help doing the same thing. I was going to buy the barrels, but if I do what you did, it will save tons of money. Keep up the great work.

[@Txbountyman72]

Great job yall have to be the hardest working people I've ever seen

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!

[@stacielabelle2694]

Amazing! You both work so hard & I look forward to seeing you kick back one day.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! We look forward to that day as well. It might be awhile though.😁 Thank you Stacie!

[@hannakinn]

Great video and what an awesome project for a great price! I can't wait for the rains to come. You two should be very proud of yourselves for what you've accomplished with your hard work, frugality in your choice of materials and out of the box thinking. You make me happy to be a Greensteader,!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much!! It will be amazing when the monsoons finally come.😀

[@yamatok9429]

I think building and rendering a stone wall is better than using bags and plastic sheet ...Just cement and sand to buy...Good work

[@girmaa5480]

Wow,,,with more respect,,you guys did a great job

[@AlmostHomestead]

The determination and effort involved in this build is truly inspiring. The savings and experience were well worth it. Man, you two did something special here. It looks pretty cool too. ❤️👍🙌🌧️

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Jay! I feel like this was a huge milestone for us out here. We learned a lot and built something that lasts.

[@SugarCreekOffGrid]

Very exciting project so inspired by your work ethic. Awesome educational experience for viewers like me to!😊

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😀Thank you!!

[@TheUserid82]

Until you need a boat to access it you can't go too large on water security in the desert. The fact that 14000 gallons would be multiple years of water so once full you no longer need to worry about if it is a dry or wet monsoon season. Odd question but would you like a visual indicator of water level in the tank without ever needing to open the hatch? Very simple build using a float ball normally found in a toilet tank screwed onto a fiberglass rod that connects between the float in the cistern and the rod exiting a small drilled hole for it. A simple high vis flag on the end of the rod and measurements painted onto it and you can know exactly how much water is inside as the 1 foot of water equals 1,697.93 gallons

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks! We'll definitely have to include that.

[@TheUserid82]

@@ourselfreliantlife Don't worry I stole the idea from Engineer775 as he put in one to be able to see the level in the tank on the hill without needing to go up there. I properly removed all the serial numbers before passing the idea on as it is such a simple method as a float and fiberglass push rod 8-10 feet long so everything is under $100 including paint. When next to a post it is easy to paint on how full the tank is as it is 25% per 2 feet of water. Can also enclose the marker flag to help keep bugs and dust out when the wind is blowing using a 2-4 inch clear section of pipe with a cap on the top and cemented to the cistern cap on the bottom but that would add another $100 or so onto the cost.

[@eddym5532]

Jessica, you are a tough lady, you don`t fool around.

[@reneebrown2968]

I would love to have something like that at my house. Of course i would have to put gutter up on my roof. But that is already in the plans. But i only have 2 IBCs for the catchment. I plan on using this to water on my garden and emergency water( once it's filtered.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

You two shonuff worked your butts off on this project! Well worth the cost over having to buy a tank no doubt. Awesome job done you two. Notice I did not say all Jess this time. LMBO. Stay safe my friends and have a great weekend!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! I appreciate the credit CB.😆 I think it was worth it too. Couldn't afford to buy one this size.

[@RaoulSnyman]

So the one thing that you didn't account for, that I think you should have, was the cost of digging the hole. You can probably divide by 3 (since there were 3 holes dug), but I'm sure it's not going to raise the cost by much. Of course there are other small things, if we want to be pedantic, but I don't think those matter in the greater scheme of things. Good job on the build, you two, that's definitely an epic feat!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Raoul! I was thinking about the dig. I didn't add it on, because one, it was mainly for the house build, and two I thought technically somone could hand dig it. So I mainly kept it to materials that went into the cistern.

[@jerometruitt2731]

@@ourselfreliantlife aint nobody hand digging that lmao

[@hmidasliman6504]

Congratulations, I feel like you set up new standard of cisterns for harvesting rain water. All the best I'm from Algeria.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!

[@bjenks]

Looks really good. Seems like you have a LOT of water storage. What was the thought process for having so much? Thanks

[@hvnfun8601]

Yup, that was a lot of hard work and will be quite the blessing.

[@gazza2963]

Great Video Jim and Jess. what a project to do and complete. Hats off to you both :) Was hoping you would have chatted about the environmental cost at some point in the video, maybe next time, as an example, air miles, pollution, mining etc considering your the "green" dream channel. Good luck on your next project, have good rest before you start though :)

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Gaz! We're ready to go for the next one.😀

[@HerEcolife]

Man you guys put in the work. That's amazing. You guys are a great team.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😀Thank you!!

[@timklassen421]

submersible pump or a jet suction pump goulds is a good brand name . you guys rock.

[@allonesame6467]

Informative & Inspiring! Love that Gabion! Blessings Abound. Praying for rain!

[@ATJHTRAVELS]

Wow absolutely amazing have enjoyed seeing the project progress that is awesome sledgehammered that like button stay safe awesome and blessed

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!!

[@Danfoodforest]

2500 dollars .. that’s awesome You save a lot of money ..

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Dan! Well worth the effort I'd say.

[@ourhomesteadjourney1775]

Great job guys! We are just setting up our homestead in SE Arizona too. We are located near Portal. Where did you purchase the materials you said were cheaper than Home Depot? We need need to make a run.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

That's awesome! It depends on what you're getting, but the stucco wire and remesh were definitely cheaper. It's B&D lumber in Douglas. They have more locations I'm not sure where. Always check the smaller outlets too.

[@ourhomesteadjourney1775]

Green Dream Project Oh Cool. We heard about that place. I was told they were expensive so that’s good to know. 👍🏻thank you

[@ewjorgy]

Dang guys! Nothing short of epic! Congratulations! All the best from California 💛

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you!

[@bindiberry6280]

That much among of water can be used to store a lot of potential energy to another tank 4 meter higher if we use the concentrated sunlight thermal pump all days. When the water falling back to the big-tank through a pipe, the water flow can drive a turbine to generate electricity at night while the concentrated sunlight pump is doing the same.

[@jamestepesh355]

Great job finishing it been watching you work on it for weeks bet your both super pleased its done :)

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you James!

[@justjoe1360]

Great job, I've learned a lot but quick correction at 3:38. Barbed wire $80 x2 = $160

[@advforops]

I live in Northeastern Arizona just right outside of the White Mountains. The cistern is a great idea even up here. We have a well, but I would love to rain harvest.

[@lolaost9559]

Thank you for sharing your projects with prices. Eventually my dream home will made in Baja California. Thank you!!

[@kimnenninger7226]

Great video. Beautiful tank. Great job!

[@jackieskitchen1966]

Awesome job it looks really solid. Congrats on keeping the cost down, you two rock and have the rocks to prove it👍😊💞

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Jackie!

[@northstarprepsteader]

What an accomplishment! I can’t even begin to imagine the cost of labor that went into that, but you certainly saved a ton of money doing it yourself. Congrats on a job well done 👍😊

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Cathy!

[@igorsanchez408]

How did you sell the lifestyle to the wife? She's a trooper.. Amazing Gal- hold onto her.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

It was her idea.😀

[@igorsanchez408]

Wow. The Lord bless and keep both of you. You chose freedom over money, and it speaks well of you both. Man cannot serve two masters, he will love one and hate the other.. Man cannot serve both money and God.

[@PaulOtis]

so nice that it is done! Great learning opportunity for when you start on the house!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Paul! I agree. 😀

[@lionscircle4700]

I've really enjoyed watching the progress of the cistern project. Do you plan on connecting up you rain gutters to the cistern or are they already dedicated to your other rain barrels? What about seasonal catchment systems to help collect additional water during the monsoons, is that practical? How much catchment would be needed to fill it? amazing project and great work etting it onto yt!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you! We'll be connecting our roof to the new cistern.

[@sunandthesoil3736]

Let it rain!One more project under your belt!Boom....

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Yes!!😀

[@EssayonsFG]

Very good, grasshopper. Next, you must snatch the pebble from my palm. LOL. Great update and a great job on that project. Take care and stay safe, Rob

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol! Thanks Rob!

[@yoopermann7942]

job well done, i have a question why didnt you guys use a metal roof? seems like it would have been easier and faster to get done, just my thoughts, as we have only a short work season here and a lot to get done plus all the rain and humidity we have, i,m trying to figure all this out,, your place is starting to turn into a wonderful oasis looks beautiful so far

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Honestly a metal roof would have been a lot quicker and saved us water. At least we got some experience building with ferrocement.

[@FarmerG]

Mind blown. Amazing job guys. What a feat. Mad respect 👍👍

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you so much G!

[@lunaluz57]

A great build well done patient lady.

[@DeafDiver]

I have another question, I notice you have a manhole. How do you keep flies or lizards or whatever animal enter your huge tank? Do you have a filter? if so will you show us your setup for the water filter?

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We will show everything.

[@paulaarthur57]

Jim and Jess, great job on the build! Its impressive for sure. Water security is number one in the desert and you are ready for the monsoons now. I can't wait to see this one fill up. :). Super happy for you both.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Paula! This monsoon season will be epic.😀

[@bubbaredneck75]

Great job guys now for a weekend of merrimaking to celebrate. Youve earned acouple days off so enjoy.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

😀Thank you!!

[@michaelbabcock8357]

Good job, guys.It was impressive to watch the build!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Michael!

[@juane53]

Looks great, I checked on Amazon on a 24x24 pond liner, 24 gauge side for $323.00. What gauge did you use ?

[@ourselfreliantlife]

I believe it was about 45 mil. Something around there. Very thick.

[@B30pt87]

Good going, guys!

[@williamfarmer6703]

2500 dollars excluding labour costs but that was a great job, well done.

[@ltlbnsgarden]

Excellent job guys! I think the overall cost was great for what you have built. Definitely saved a lot of money. And it looks awesome! I’m loving the look of the rocks . 😊

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Zule!

[@overthetopcargotrailerjerr2278]

finally you actually said something educational !!👍

[@overdbus]

Awesome job on you rain water harvesting system , blessings on your land and home , shalom