View Full Version : Water storage and home plumbing systems
Micahmercantile
Nov 4, 2007, 06:52 PM
I want to insert a large water storage tank into my home plumbingsystem. Once the tank is in place, water comes to the storage tank from my well, then to my home for regular uses (toilet, sinks, showers, etc) then exit to my septic system. If an emergency arose I would turn off my well pump and use the stored water until the emergency is over.
How do I plumb this setup? I am willing to compensate for accurate information.
Thanks
M
jlisenbe
Nov 4, 2007, 07:33 PM
I can tell you this much. It sounds like you are describing a gravity feed system where pressure is dependent upon the height of the tank above ground. There is a formula that states how many psi a foot of elevation provides. According to a website I went to, it is this: Each foot of elevation change is equal to 0.433 PSI of water pressure. IF that is correct, then you can see that elevation alone is probably not going to work for you.
doug238
Nov 6, 2007, 08:17 PM
What size and where do you want it? If it is gravity fed it must be elevated above but not in an unstable place in case of wind storms. Do you live on a hill? You can use air to push the water but the air must be filtered so it does not contaminate the water. Air goes into the top, water leaves tank at the bottom. Then the water can go to higher elevations.
Micahmercantile
Nov 11, 2007, 06:16 PM
I want to insert a large water storage tank into my home plumbingsystem. Once the tank is in place, water comes to the storage tank from my well, then to my home for regular uses (toilet, sinks, showers, etc) then exit to my septic system. If an emergency arose I would turn off my well pump and use the stored water until the emergency is over.
How do I plumb this setup? I am willing to compensate for accurate information.
Thanks
M
The tank I want to install is 7,500 gallons. There is about 20 feet of elevation that can be used above the entrance point into the house, so gravity fed is what I want to use. I will use my well and pump to fill the tank with and use water from the tank until an emergency arises. Then I want to turn off the well and revert to gravity feed until the well can be turned on again. This needs to be independent of electricy or any other power source. Only as an emergency water source. If anyone knows where I can find a reputable source of information for a project like this I would appreciate the tip.
Thanks for your response.
doug238
Nov 11, 2007, 08:06 PM
It is a grand adventure. A few points, it should drain from the bottom but not the absolute bottom. You don't want the sediment to come out, but you will need a bottom drain to clean it out. You also need it to breathe, some way for filtered air to enter the tank as it is used when the pressure is off. You will also need to be able to verify the tank stays bacteria free.