Hello everyone,
The new build hasn’t even started yet, but early planning never hurts.
We will be installing a rainwater cistern underground, from which we want to run an automatic garden irrigation system. Now we need to decide with the builder where to place our outdoor water tap points on the house (two in total). One should be located near the cistern.
Is there a pump that can be connected to both the cistern and the mains water supply, and automatically switch over when the cistern is empty? Or how is this usually done?
Also, would you recommend installing a submersible pump inside the cistern, or using an external pump placed in the garden to draw water through a hose?
Best regards
The new build hasn’t even started yet, but early planning never hurts.
We will be installing a rainwater cistern underground, from which we want to run an automatic garden irrigation system. Now we need to decide with the builder where to place our outdoor water tap points on the house (two in total). One should be located near the cistern.
Is there a pump that can be connected to both the cistern and the mains water supply, and automatically switch over when the cistern is empty? Or how is this usually done?
Also, would you recommend installing a submersible pump inside the cistern, or using an external pump placed in the garden to draw water through a hose?
Best regards
P
pagoni20203 Jul 2020 13:45Of course, more is always possible. Back then, I had about 5 cubic centimeters (cc) of a basin concreted under the outdoor staircase and sealed inside with a waterproofing slurry.
Naturally, it depends on the roof area and whether you actually collect enough water with it, as well as on your individual use.
I lived there for 30 years on a 900 square meter (about 9,700 square feet) plot with a meadow and some plants. It was never empty, and if it ever had been, I would have topped it up with tap water.
The key factor is your usage, because I had it like that all those years, and for “normal” use, it was never too little.
In any case, I would keep it simple, otherwise it can quickly become a financial burden.
Naturally, it depends on the roof area and whether you actually collect enough water with it, as well as on your individual use.
I lived there for 30 years on a 900 square meter (about 9,700 square feet) plot with a meadow and some plants. It was never empty, and if it ever had been, I would have topped it up with tap water.
The key factor is your usage, because I had it like that all those years, and for “normal” use, it was never too little.
In any case, I would keep it simple, otherwise it can quickly become a financial burden.
We are required by the local authorities to provide 2m³ (70.6 ft³) of retention capacity per 100m² (1,076 ft²) of sealed surface area (I’m not yet sure which areas are included). Our plot is 560m² (6,028 ft²), and the house has a footprint of about 95m² (1,023 ft²) plus a garage of 24m² (258 ft²).
As mentioned earlier, we still need to research or get advice on this. The prices for cisterns seem reasonable—around €2,500 for 10m³ (353 ft³). I don’t yet have an overview of the excavation costs. Garden water systems (which, as far as I understand, can also be installed outdoors) are not very expensive either.
By the way, we intend to use the cistern solely for the garden.
Is it possible to additionally connect the mains water supply to these garden water systems?
As mentioned earlier, we still need to research or get advice on this. The prices for cisterns seem reasonable—around €2,500 for 10m³ (353 ft³). I don’t yet have an overview of the excavation costs. Garden water systems (which, as far as I understand, can also be installed outdoors) are not very expensive either.
By the way, we intend to use the cistern solely for the garden.
Is it possible to additionally connect the mains water supply to these garden water systems?
P
pagoni20203 Jul 2020 13:59We had a domestic water system from a hardware store back then, I think it cost around 80 euros. It only needs to perform a simple task. In winter, the water must be drained from the device to prevent freezing. I built a box around it and added some insulation because I didn’t want to have to think about it all the time, and then inserted the suction pipe.
Of course, that is a price... basically, you only need some kind of underground tank, then an inlet and an overflow.
I wouldn’t invest too much money in it, as spending more won’t make it work better. If you do the work yourself, you could pour some concrete yourself; it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece.
If you connect it to the household water supply, it becomes more complicated, so I would keep it separate.
Of course, that is a price... basically, you only need some kind of underground tank, then an inlet and an overflow.
I wouldn’t invest too much money in it, as spending more won’t make it work better. If you do the work yourself, you could pour some concrete yourself; it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece.
If you connect it to the household water supply, it becomes more complicated, so I would keep it separate.