Simple Off Grid water system

Filter









Today I would like to show you our off the grid water system. This system is cost effective, easy to install, requires no pump for water pressure, and suits both our agricultural and domestic needs.

First, we have the water tanks. There are three tanks that were bought used, total water capacity is 2,750 gallons. Water is brought in by truck, we get deliveries of 2,000 gallons at a time.
When the tanks are refilled, a small amount of bleach is measured and poured into each tank to help insure the water source is clean and safe.



All of the tanks are connected into one water line. The line at the tanks is 1 1/2 inch and 2-inch PVC. From the main line at the tanks and right before the line goes underground, there is an auxillary hose running right into the vegetable garden area.

The water main then runs underground. Under the earth where you can't see it, the line is reduced from 2 inches to one inch, and then from one inch to 3/4 inch line. The reason for this is to increase the water pressure at the end of the main line. With sufficient water pressure, no pump is needed.

At the end of the main there is a simple spigot. From the spigot, water runs either directly into a hose for the livestock, or continues on to the water filter.

The water filter is a basic whole house filtration setup, and is protected from the elements with a box built around it. From the filter, water runs either directly inside as the cold water line, or continues on to the water heater.

From the filter to the water heater there is a simple hose run in between. When the water reaches the on demand propane water heater it splits off to a shower head and then another line brings hot water inside. So we have hot water both inside or outside, which comes in real handy for things like washing off muddy boots or giving the milk goat a bath.

So that's the basics of our water system. Once again, this can all be done without a pump if you set your water tanks uphill from where you need to run water. I hope this information helps others looking to set up a gravity fed system, and allays any fears some folks may have that we "don't have running water", or don't have a water source.