ᐅ Cistern! I don’t want one, but I am being forced to have it – experiences

Created on: 15 Jan 2023 20:05
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wesson76
Hello everyone,

According to our development plan, installing a cistern is mandatory. From an economic perspective, it doesn’t seem worthwhile; if I had the choice, I would skip it.

I have received the following all-inclusive offers (excavation, pump, etc., everything included):
1. 5200-liter (1375-gallon) cistern, €7,000
2. 2600-liter (686-gallon) cistern, €6,000

There is also the option of installing only the cistern without a usage system to meet the development plan’s requirements. For both offers, I would save about €1,000 on the pump and related equipment. However, this would mean burying something in the ground for €6,000–7,000 without any actual benefit, which is hard for me to accept.

Either way, I would use the cistern only for garden irrigation, with a maximum watering area of 220m² (2370 ft²). A garden water meter will definitely be installed; the fees are about €2 per cubic meter.

For me, only the economic aspect matters. Which option is the most cost-effective? I’m leaning toward the 2600-liter (686-gallon) cistern. Or would it be better to just bury the cistern without any usage?

Thank you in advance.
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wesson76
15 Jan 2023 21:34
Bertram100 schrieb:

It should of course be 2 cubic meters. I don’t consume water by the meter running continually. 😀

Ok, thanks. I will get a quote for the cost of connecting to the toilet and washing machine.
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Bertram100
15 Jan 2023 21:36
Regarding the 2 cubic meters, I should mention that I am very economical with water and only shower twice a week after sports. I also collect vegetable washing water in the kitchen for the houseplants. I believe a typical user, as an individual, would probably use around 6 cubic meters.
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WilderSueden
15 Jan 2023 21:38
Bertram100 schrieb:

I have connected all the toilets and the washing machine and have a crane in the garden.
A crane?

I had also considered using rainwater for the house, but the general contractor wanted 3,000 (currency) for the second installation, and you still have to pay for sewage. Toilets and washing machines are quite water-efficient nowadays, so the benefits are rather limited and it’s difficult to justify the costs. It’s a pity because I also believe this is the more sustainable solution. But at some point, you have to start saving on costs.
i_b_n_a_n15 Jan 2023 21:40
Well, I also find suppliers delivering cisterns between 4-6m² (43-65 ft²) to southern Germany for under 2,000. And I only searched for 2 minutes...
i_b_n_a_n15 Jan 2023 21:43
WilderSueden schrieb:

Crane?

I also considered the house water system, but the general contractor wanted $3,000 for the second installation, and you still have to pay for sewage. Toilets and washing machines are quite efficient nowadays, so the benefit is rather small and it’s hard to see a good return on investment. It’s a shame because I also think it’s a more sustainable solution. But you have to start saving costs somewhere.
We have a lot of water meters sealed by the local utility company, so billing is based accordingly. Mainly, it makes sense to use rainwater for toilet flushing in winter, since there is usually enough water then, and that accounts for most of the water used over the year. Unless you have your own park or golf course to irrigate ;-)

In summer, the water in the cistern can only cover a short period – unfortunately (unless you have something like 30 cubic meters like Rick).
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Bertram100
15 Jan 2023 21:47
WilderSueden schrieb:

But you have to start saving costs somewhere
But definitely not there. That is by far the worst idea. Especially if you have children.
Basically, it is also ethically wrong to save costs there: on one hand because you are cutting costs at the expense of future generations and are aware of it, and on the other hand because (here in the forum) very few people are unable to afford a sustainable solution. It might be painful, but that’s not a problem.