I am thinking about building a large rain water collection system. I have created a sketch of what I am considering. See below. I am still trying to determine feasibility and practicality. To provide 1.5 inches of water per week to a 0.5 acre lawn in central Indiana from about mid June to Early September how much water would I need to retain? Is the amount unrealistic???
I would use one of the more advanced controllers that would use rain collection sensor and soil moisture to prevent it from using harvested rainwater until dry periods. The controller should be able to turn on the pump and incorporating a float switch should cut power to pump if water runs out.
What type of pump would I place in the "sump" to pump water into tank? I would need to make "quick connects" in order to remove all pump before winter. Our land is sloped enough to place sump and tank at least 1-2 feet below grade. Tank height I found was 97" and sump would be next to tank. Sump would have fine screen 30-45 degree angled lid. In theory rain water would flush off debris as it fills. Angle also would facilitate water getting to trench.
I have another downspout that is in a location where it is impractical to run gravity 4-6" PVC to a sump. Is there afloat activated pump that can pump from sump through 75-150 feet of 2-3" hose (PEX)
Provided tanks have knock out at bottom can connect same height tanks in series. Would just need to cut down and clear more land.
Expense may be so great I may just have to have a brown lawn...
EDIT: Using a calculation I found online and if I were able to use entire roof I can collect 30,000 to 35,000 gallons from April till September. I have found poly 10,000 gallon tank 12 feet wide 160 inches tall so would need to be able to pump to this height. No holds barred.
Conceivably could have a well water fill pipe with an "air gap" as back flow prevention since system will not be connected to homes plumbing directly.
Thinking...:whistling2:
I would use one of the more advanced controllers that would use rain collection sensor and soil moisture to prevent it from using harvested rainwater until dry periods. The controller should be able to turn on the pump and incorporating a float switch should cut power to pump if water runs out.
What type of pump would I place in the "sump" to pump water into tank? I would need to make "quick connects" in order to remove all pump before winter. Our land is sloped enough to place sump and tank at least 1-2 feet below grade. Tank height I found was 97" and sump would be next to tank. Sump would have fine screen 30-45 degree angled lid. In theory rain water would flush off debris as it fills. Angle also would facilitate water getting to trench.
I have another downspout that is in a location where it is impractical to run gravity 4-6" PVC to a sump. Is there afloat activated pump that can pump from sump through 75-150 feet of 2-3" hose (PEX)
Provided tanks have knock out at bottom can connect same height tanks in series. Would just need to cut down and clear more land.
Expense may be so great I may just have to have a brown lawn...
EDIT: Using a calculation I found online and if I were able to use entire roof I can collect 30,000 to 35,000 gallons from April till September. I have found poly 10,000 gallon tank 12 feet wide 160 inches tall so would need to be able to pump to this height. No holds barred.
Conceivably could have a well water fill pipe with an "air gap" as back flow prevention since system will not be connected to homes plumbing directly.
Thinking...:whistling2: