I have a 32gal water pressure tank with a 1hp well pump. I want to have more water available in a power outage. Can I put another higher volume water pressue tank in series with the original one or is there a better way?

The draw down of a bladder tank is approximately 1/3 of its total size. Your 32 gallon tank stores approximately 10 gallons of water. If you were to increase that to a 120 tank you would store approximately 40 gallons. In that context, increasing the size of the tank would increase the amount of water available during a power outage. A 120 gallon tank will cost you approximately three times the cost of a 32 gallon tank. In the context of having water during an extended power outage you would be better off investing in a good generator.

Another option would be to install a 12 volt battery operated booster pump. Check it out at,
12 volt Battery powered booster water pump: compare prices and read reviews - Bing Shopping (http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=12+volt++Battery+powered+booster+water+pu mp&qpvt=12+volt++Battery+powered+booster+water+pump&FORM=HURE#x0y0)
Good luck, Tom

I'm VERY interested in this topic. See my recent unanswered question here:

Parallel *switching* of well pressure tanks?
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbing/parallel-switching-well-pressure-tanks-679899.html

IMO both replies so far are functional.

But each avoid the requested approach for a solution (expand the available water supply using additional pressure tank(s). Or bring with them other different and costly problems. Seems this isn't something that is routinely done and probably for good reason. :(

A generator of sufficient size in my case requires a 27A start surge for my pump $3,000.00+ and would burn fuel at up to 1gal / hr. I've not thoroughly reviewed the 12v option but given my basic understandings and my current system nothing 12v wise could possibly work.

A problem not to overlook would be water stagnation should a reserve tank be installed and not VERY routinely flushed. Search Google for water stagnation issues if your interested.

From my research so far the first reply has the potential to be the most elegant, albeit with the most limited increase in available water. But I am unclear as to just how much useable (under pressure) water remains as a percentage of drawdown capacity once the power is off and you reach the pump cut in point.

We're not talking in survival terms here. You can't survive long without water. But if you can calculate the number of flushes available you may be able to endure a few days longer. ;)


Sincerely,

John K. Bullock

'm VERY interested in this topic. See my recent unanswered question here:
Aww! Do you feel ignored? Abused or overlooked? We really feel bad about that. I noticed you posted after midnight last night. Our 24 hour expert must be sleeping on the job and will be terminated as soon as he wakes up. Happy now?
You were given solutions along with options. If you don't like any of them then perhaps you're asking the wrong experts. Sincerely Tom

Aww! Do you feel ignored? Abused or overlooked?


Not anymore. :)

<end light hearted sarcasm>

Just a friendly FYI:

I haven't multiposted this question under different usernames. I have moderated on another forum for many years so I know what a thankless place a message board is sometimes.

I _have_ come on too strongly here, sorry about that! Recent multiple power outages have distorted my sense of urgency on the matter.

The experts seem to imply it probably can be done, and that it probably shouldn't be done. But without specifing why not. Cost considerations will vary wildly based on each system. Personally, I came with a huge misconception that such would have an established path.

My bad.

I'll check back next weekend to see if you don't fire the 24hr expert. Maybe he or another will remember seeing something in their past experience that he'll choose to share.

Cheers

John K. Bullock

Early, you are looking for two kinds of water. Water to flush commodes, wash dishes, etc, and water to drink. Why not simply buy a good supply of the two gallon drinking water containers. Then you can stock up on several five gallon containers and fill them with water for cleaning/flushing. Be a lot cheaper and would work effectively. Just need a little storage area.

Otherwise, you can invest a thousand bucks in a 120 gallon tank which will have a forty gallon or so reserve. It will, in addition, have the advantage of making life a little easier on your pump with much longer cycles than you have now. But I think you would just be disappointed when the water goes out.

I'd rather have some five gallon cans available for a short-term emergency.

http://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-190-amtrol-well-x-trol-wx-350-well-pressure-tank-119-gal.aspx

If you're worried about running out of water in a outage why not simply convert your water system to UK standards.pipe the incoming water to a storage tank in the attic and let gravity do the work.

[I haven't multiposted this question under different usernames./QUOTE]Now j just why would you do that.
[QUOTE] I have moderated on another forum for many years so I know what a thankless place a message board is sometimes If you're a mod you should know how things work on a Q&A site and not call experts to task for not jumping on your question the second it hits the page.
In case it slipped your mind we are volunteers here. We don't work on the clock or get paid, So when you complain about the service you're getting-- Yeah! We tend to get a bit testy. As a mod you, of all people should understand that. So, out of all the solutions and options given was there one that tripped your trigger> Let me know, Tom BTW.thanks for the reddie you laid onme You're a real piece of work.

I have a 32gal water pressure tank with a 1hp well pump. I want to have more water available in a power outage. Can I put another higher volume water pressue tank in series with the original one or is there a better way?

I can get an 85gal tank for under $400. Will I be able to put it in series with my 32gal tank? A generator to run the pump is not an option.

Oh crap. I just woke up. Is my job in jeapordy? Oh well, I don't get paid enough anyway.

I would have to say jlinsenbe has the only logical solution, of course other than a generator, which would give you not only water, but lights, keep your fridge and freezer running, etc, etc. You can add a larger pressure tank, but I agree with jlin, it may leave you feeling a bit dissapointed when the power is out. Just not going to give you much reserve, no matter what the size. A pressure tank is completely different than a holding tank. And a holding tank would have to be located way up high, as Tom suggested. There is no real easy fix for extra water with a well system, sorry, but that's the facts. But hey, if you do decide to add the extra pressure tank, please do let us know the results during the next extended outage. All going to depend on your water demands. Lots of options and opinions out there, but hard to find one that fits all. Curious to hear what you decide. Good luck, and take care.

Oh, and yes DCTECH, you can put the extra tank in series with the original, just make sure the precharge is the same in both tanks (precharge is to be 2 pounds below cut in of pressure switch).

I really don't see a problem with putting the second tank "after" the first one. I know you are worried about the water stagnating, but I don't think that should be a concern. But if it is, you could simply turn off the power and drain the tanks through a low-level spigot two or three times a year. But like we have said, you can add the 85 gallon tank, and then when the power goes out, you will have a thirty or forty gallon reserve, and then nothing.

Thanks to jlinsenbe, mygirlsdad for understanding my posts. Thanks DCTECH2 for tolerating my intrusion in your thread.
Sorry speedball1, but we've miscommunicated quite badly here. I'll be gone soon so try not to fret too much longer. I "'burned out" moderating after just shy of 5k posts. I don't see how you've made it to 25k. WOW :)

Yup its going to be a VERY expensive and limited additional capacity. Still...

From my further investigations there are concerns in maintaining water quality with any type of storage system. Google "water holding tank stagnation" will reveal the real world risks. There are countermeasures with the ultimate either being pre treat and dump it after X time and start fresh again (usually small quantities). Or maintain flow "thru" the system with regular water quality testing (would also apply to "small" qantity systems). Low flow _always_ has the potential for seriously degrading quality to measurably _unhealthy_ levels. No one time treatment can assure indefinite storage and still be potable.

I have learned about pressure tanks size vs. drawdown capacity, coupled with stagnation issues this makes such very problematic as a potable water "storage" system.

I had hoped that some type of 3 way switching valve was the "common solution" for auto switching between 2 bladder tanks assuring 1 was always full and "recently" flushed. So then you'd have 40gal+- (assuming a 115 +- bladder tank) plus the water heater to drain as storage on hand. 1/2 on tap, the other 1/2 luggable. ;)

Without routine inspection of such a valve there is a real risk of ending up with non potable water in the "dead" tank with potential for a contaminated system. Why such would probably be a code violation. And more so why it _shouldn't_ be done.

IMO the lowest cost, lowest maintenance solution is a gravity flow ceramic / charcoal purification system and a bucket for hauling non potable water for flushing. Berkey is one of many.

You can make one even cheaper here:
http://www.alpharubicon.com/kids/homemadeberkeydaire.htm


Thanks for the nudges, especially you speedball1. Without him I'd not have been as motivated to research it more for myself.

If / when something else "odd ball" plumbing wise grabs my attention I know where to find you ! :p

Bye now.

John K. Bullock

I can get an 85gal tank for under $400. Will I be able to put it in series with my 32gal tank? A generator to run the pump is not an option.

Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes.

Sorry speedball1, but we've miscommunicated quite badly here. I'll be gone soon so try not to fret too much longer. I "'burned out" moderating after just shy of 5k posts. I don't see how you've made it to 25k. WOW
And I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. Hugs? Tom

Early, I wish you'd go into your concerns about stagnation. It seems to me that water would stagnate as easily in one tank as it would in two. There is generally some agitation in the tank when the pump cuts on and fills it. I just don't see where the concern for stagnation is.

jlisenbe,

Since speedball1 shifted to my thread (new readers wishing to follow the discussion see: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbing/parallel-switching-well-pressure-tanks-679899.html )

And since this is / was DCTECH2's thread ( I did try to give it back to you DCTECH)

My replies will be there.


Sincerely,

John K. Bullock