Get Off the Grid with These Water Tank & Pump Must-Haves

When I first started planning my off-grid homestead, ensuring a reliable water supply was top priority. With no connections to municipal water lines, I knew I needed to implement rainwater harvesting and well water extraction systems. However, choosing the right equipment felt overwhelming initially. Through extensive research and first-hand experience, I've identified the ideal water storage tanks, pumps, and accessories for thriving off the grid.

Calculating Your Household's Water Usage

Before selecting any tanks or pumps, analyze your water usage habits. While the average person uses 80-100 gallons per day, your needs may differ. To size your system accurately, track your household's water consumption for one month by reading your water meter daily. From bathing, cooking, cleaning, and gardening, calculate your peak summer and winter average daily usage. This establishes your minimum storage capacity and pump flow rate requirements. Additionally, examine daily habits to identify any conservation opportunities. Installing low-flow showerheads, immediately fixing leaks, and reusing greywater can significantly reduce demands.

Key Factors When Sizing Your Water System

Consider several variables when designing your off-grid water system:

• Current and projected daily usage (gallons used per person)
• Number of people living on the property
• Other uses like gardening, agriculture, or fire protection
• Length of anticipated independence (days without rain)
• Future expansion plans

Generally, most off-grid families require 5,000+ gallon storage capacity, especially in drought-prone areas. Calculate your minimum needs by multiplying average daily usage by desired number of self-reliant days. Additionally, assess flow rate and power requirements by tallying the output of all fixtures. A sink may use 2.5 GPM, while a tub needs 5 GPM. Your pump must accommodate peak simultaneous flows.

Choosing Durable Water Harvesting Tanks

With storage capacity identified, select durable tanks. While plastic and concrete models exist, I prefer poly steel reservoirs for longevity and corrosion resistance. Round tanks efficiently handle pressure changes. Burying tanks helps modulate temperature while hiding unsightly exteriors. For potability, ensure all materials comply with NSF 61 standards. Carefully assess location considering site grading, overflow drainage, delivery route accessibility, potential flood zones, and soil stability. Install level stable foundations like concrete slabs or compacted gravel beds. Place screened vents and overflow pipes to handle excessive rainwater.

Key Water Tank Considerations

• Material safety and durability ratings
• Round preferred for structural integrity
• At least 1,000 gallons for emergency backup
• Buried or obscured from view
• Elevated on solid foundations
• Overflow and ventilation plumbed
• Complies with potable water standards

Consider incorporating pre-treatment and filtration systems to harvest alternative water sources like streams, lakes, or wells in addition to rainwater. Filtration enhances quality while reducing sediment buildup. Pre-treatment also enables easy integration of drip irrigation systems, crucial for off-grid agriculture. Furthermore, clean water protects plumbing and extends equipment lifespans.

Choosing the Right Pumps for Reliability

With tanks installed, select an appropriately sized pump by matching flow rate to usage, accounting for peak demands and total dynamic head. Off-grid living requires resilient, durable pumps as replacement and repairs are difficult. Additionally, independent power sources like solar panels or wind turbines are preferred over generators. Gas and diesel pumps present fuel storage challenges and may fail during disasters. Beyond flow rate and power supply considerations, choosing pump type and features depends on application:

Well Pumps

Submersible well pumps directly installed into groundwater supply wells offer high efficiency thanks to fewer frictional pipe losses. Water-lubricated bearings enable submerged operation, avoiding priming needs. Choose stainless steel for corrosion resistance. Consider 0.5+ hp to push water over 150+ feet depths.

Transfer Pumps

When moving water between tanks and systems over flat distances, transfer pumps allow flexible installation. Self-priming centrifugal pumps efficiently move high capacities over distances under 1,000 ft. With flow rates reaching 450 GPM, they easily supply entire water networks.

Pressure Pumps

To consistently pressurize plumbing systems, pressure pumps provide 40-60 PSI. When sized correctly with pressure tanks, they maintain steady water flow while conserving power. For grid-independent systems, 12/24V DC solar pumps are ideal.

Investing in premium-efficient pumps minimizes water wastage and electric costs over decades of off-grid living. Consider consulting renewable energy specialists during design.

Regulating Water Pressure with Storage Tanks

Water pressure tanks add critical functionality to off-grid plumbing systems. They regulate pressure, absorbing excess water when demand drops. This steady supply prevents pumps from constantly cycling on and off, improving durability. Size your tank based on flow rates, water usage, pump design, and existing storage capacity. Generally, larger tanks increase minimum run times and pump longevity. For grid-independent systems, use 18-25% of your daily water demand. Calculate by multiplying usage gallons by 0.20. This optimizes run time while safely pressurizing pipes. Compare atmospheric and bladder tanks during selection:

• Atmospheric Tanks - Contain both air and water separated by a diaphragm or bladder. Drop in the water level reduces pressure, triggering the pump. Benefits include lower costs and easier maintenance.
• Bladder Tanks - A rubber bladder separates air and water compartments. Pressure drops deflate the bladder, turning the pump on. Though pricier, bladder tanks last longer and run quieter.

Properly sized pressure tanks are crucial to optimize off-grid water systems. Consider installing large capacity emergency backup tanks as redundancy for off-grid reliability.

Setting Up Off-Grid Plumbing Distribution Networks

For off-grid water distribution, flexible polyethylene tubing makes installation and upgrades easier than PVC piping. Four-layer polyethylene withstands freezing while resisting corrosion and leaks. Connections utilize insert or compression fittings like SharkBite. Ensure the pipe's pressure rating exceeds pump abilities. For direct well pump connections, use stainless steel to prevent corrosion. Always match supply line sizing to pump output, factoring in simultaneous fixtures. For significant uphill runs, increase pipe diameter. Bury lines 24-36 inches deep, below frost lines if possible. Include shut-off valves throughout the network for maintenance.

During design, oversize pipes by one size and use minimal direction changes. This reduces pressure losses over distance. Whenever feasible, implement point-of-use water treatment to avoid contaminating entire systems. Test water quality frequently, monitor usage with meters, and examine lines for leakage. Finally, consider investing in redundant distribution lines as backup security. With mindful installation practices, polyethylene tubing makes plumbing manageable for novice off-grid DIYers.

Key Plumbing Design Factors

• Flexible tubing easier to install than PVC
• Upsize pipe diameters for longer uphill runs
• Point-of-use treatment for modular contaminant isolation
• Redundant distribution lines increase resiliency
• Leak monitoring and water quality testing

Alternative Off-Grid Water Supply Sources

While drilled wells and rainwater harvesting provide primary sources, incorporating alternative water supplies bolsters any off-grid water system. Solar-powered pumps enable accessing rivers, streams, ponds, or lakes as renewable backup sources, especially valuable for irrigation. Similarly, releasing stored stormwater runoff extends availability during droughts. Furthermore, leveraging desalination technologies can utilize brackish or seawater. Reverse osmosis systems generate potable water from virtually any water source. Though power-intensive, renewable energy integration helps offset consumption. Conservative usage and greywater recycling also limit demands on constrained off-grid water supplies while supporting more circular resource systems.

Alternative Water Source Options

• Rivers, streams, ponds backup sources
• Stormwater runoff collection
• Seawater desalination technologies
• Strict conservation and greywater reuse

By incorporating diverse water inputs, off-grid farms can drought-proof their water supply while establishing closed-loop usage. However, plan infrastructure investments carefully as treatment costs can escalate rapidly.

Like all infrastructure, off-grid water systems require ongoing maintenance for longevity and performance. Check storage tanks annually for leaks, inspecting joints and valves while verifying structural stability. Clear gutters and filters before wet seasons while trimming overhanging trees. During winter, insulate external components and bury vulnerable pipes below frost lines. Develop contingency plans for electricity and equipment failures. Through proactive maintenance and disaster readiness, off-grid water systems provide reliable, resilient water supplies for self-sufficient living, come rain or shine.