Just to let everyone know, every farm in Australia, and basically anyone who lives more then 50 km out of a major city or 5 km out of a small town is on what we call "tank water." Rainwater is collected from the roof and flows into tanks. The water is safe to drink and no water treatment is needed. Once every 5 or 10 years or even longer people clean out the tanks. Its amazingly simple and highly effective.
This is a truly amazing system, especially the home system you have developed. I appreciate you making this video, and as a fellow Texan I plan to build my home completely independent of well or county water supplies. You present many great design and functionality ideas. You must be an engineer. I also recently saw that there are companies selling and bottling drinkable rainwater! Bravo!! -Vicky
Very well done! One comment on the rain barrel application, is to pay attention to the location of the hose bib. If it is positioned a few inches up from the bottom of the barrel, it will allow any dust or small particles that settle on the bottom of the inside of the barrel from possibly plugging or blocking the hose bib. The video shows the hose bib to be located a few inches from the bottom.
A way to install a good natural filter is to place a few barrels in the system that are filled with sand and then rock. As the water filters through those barrels, it naturally filters itself.
thank you for posting, this a very informative video. I learned many things by watching.This lifestyle should be the norm for all home owners that have the resources to do so. the cost outlay of your system looks as though it may be expensive to set up. you have put lots of thought into your system and it's well planned out.very well done. thank you for sharing your much valued knowledge.I am in the very early stages and presently only using the blue barrels. I will refer to you video once again when I make my move to an upgrade.
That's an awesome system you have sir... Lots of helpful info... Thank you very much for sharing with us... I'm in the works to moving to my TN property and I don't have the money for a well so I'm going to have to start a small system for my water needs... It's like I always say... let's all learn from each other. Joe Tactical
Great video. Best information I have found on the internet net. I would like to learn more about the transfer system you use to move the water from your house/barn to the storage tanks.
You are partially correct. Exempt use include: Rainwater: collection and use of rainwater from an artificial impervious surface (like a parking lot or a building’s roof). Do a google search for rainwater harvesting in Oregon
we use about 3,500 to 3,800 gallons per month in AZ for the two of us. about 1,000 to 1,500 gallons are used for showers. about 1,000 is used for washing machine, that over 2/3 of the water we use. I going to be putting in a small grass area. Using only shower water. I've check on using shower water, they say it's ok. that leave 1,000 gallons for dishes, watering the jeep once a week and the toilets. we in the southwest need to start saving and reusing our water. last year alone I could have saved 50,000 of water if I had a way to save the rain we get. thinking of building a 24x24x10 holding tank underground. would hold about 25,000 to 30,000 gallons of water. enough for 7 to 12 months. would like to put in some trees
Thanks for the post; looks great. How much money??? I'm on well water and am always concerned about water usage during the Georgia summers. We've done some of the smaller 30 gallon rubbermaid tanks but it is not a consitent source. Looks like you can get pretty elaborate and run the potential of adding higher cost. Thoughts?
Thank you. I'd love to take credit but all I did was piece together the videos and post it. The guy who did the work in the video is Billy Kniffen. He can be contacted at: b-kniffen@tamu.edu
@@Gamer_Marcy_God No, water won't flow over the hole until the barrel is completely full. And unlike other connections, the barrel will be completely full.
wow its very creative way to save rain waters,,keep the great work and more videos need to educate the world. Back home in the Philippines we dig out a big hole on the ground about 6 to 10 feet wide, and 20 to 30 feet below it depends the water well.
For those concerned about the legality of rainwater harvesting please read the linked article: www.durangoherald.com/article/20150323/NEWS01/150329854/Rainwater-collection-passes-House-
Jeez. Crazy USA. Here in Australia, the tank setup you showed would be fine for potable water (connected to house, as I have done). Studies showed that the chance of getting sick was just about zippo: www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/0D71DB86E9DA7CF1CA257BF0001CBF2F/$File/enhealth-raintank.pdf But hey. You guys can still buy an AR15!
You have to be cautious with washing machine discharge. Make sure there is no human soiled garments, diapers etc. Dishwasher and kitchen sink discharge are not considered graywater because of the organic content likely present. Check out oasis design
plumbguru I know it doesn't get cold enough long enough to freeze the tanks but I question all that exposed plumbing. What happens when we get a hard freeze? It looks like you have PVC, filters, and other plumbing that would freeze. I've got an old RV trailer in Mills county, about 50 miles east of you. When I got it the plumbing was a mess so I re-plumbed everything with 1/2" pvc. This past December it got down to under 20F a couple of nights so being unheated, the pipes all froze. A BUNCH of the connections (90's, elbows, and T's) broke but interestingly the actual pipe never broke. I basically had to re-plumb the entire trailer. I have a way to drain the system now so that shouldn't happen again. Weird thing is I've got a several of outdoor pipes at my house in Austin that have never failed. The only difference is they're all 1" instead of 1/2". Are the larger PVC fittings just more robust?
Thanks for this great info. I have a small camp in NH with a 'dug' ? well and we always run out of water so I want to put in a system like this. Where would I look for the large water storage tanks?
Thanks for the information wish KSL news said that. Glad to know all I have to do to catch water on my own land, is fill out a bunch of forms for some person who doesn't own or live on my land. It's like asking your parents when your 6 "dad can I go play?" This world is a JOKE! Pay my land off $160,000 dollars of hard earned money and if I don't pay tax for two years they can take it lol. I really think this world has it's priorities all messed up. And do have a nice day ;)
Now that is what I call rain collecting. All the rest I have seen are too small even to be effective. We get a lot of rain here. I plan to buy a 1000 tank and raise it on platform where the tanks top is just a few inches below gutter level. The intention here is to be high enough to get gravity feed, I'll only use the system for toilets and laundry. This system is simple and should cut my water bill by 50%.
FACTS ABOUT RAINWATER HARVESTING IN OREGON Designs range from a simple rain barrel at the bottom of a downspout for watering a garden to extensive cistern systems that can provide a substantial amount of the water someone uses. Because of the efforts in Oregon to conserve water, the Building Codes Division has approved the use of rainwater harvesting systems as an alternate method to the state plumbing code. Information is available at bcd.oregon.gov.
Normally I wouldn't respond to a comment like this however I will make an exception. Where so you suppose the water comes from to supply those sources?
More details on the equipment used can be found here: www.harvesth2o.com/billy.shtml This video was uploaded 3/2011 the email shown is no longer in service. The only contact info I have for him is on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/billy-kniffen-92776b45
Wow, very impressive. I've read if I filter rainwater for sediments, etc and then boil it for 1 minute to kill viruses, then I can drink it. Is that correct? Thank you
In Australia, we just drink it. Sky-roof-tank-tap. Entirely legal, and safe: www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/0D71DB86E9DA7CF1CA257BF0001CBF2F/$File/enhealth-raintank.pdf
Has the drought significantly constrained your water usage over the past couple of years? Would like to do something similar in SW OK, but don't think I can count on more than 15-20 inches of rain a year.
While the inches of rain are of much importance, the square footage of catchment area (typically the roof(s) is just as important. To calculate how much water can be collected, multiply the square footage of catchment area times .6233, times the inches of rain then use 85% of that. If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact: Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu
Water levels in the Great Lakes have been dropping for quite a while so don't be too confident about the long term prognosis. And are you inviting everyone in the world to your area?
Actually, no they didn't, you just have to register with the division of water rights. You can collect in 2 100 gallon containers above ground or 1 2500 container underground. All the info is right there on the utah.gov website.
haha, how wonderful americans learnt how to harvest rain water, they are quite comical at times, but its tank water, harvested/used worldwide before america was even a country,
So he uses a light tight container to prevent algae growth, then cuts a hole in the lid and covers it with mesh to keep mosquitos out....and what about the algae now?
In several places out west I have heard it is unlawful to collect rainwater. I think Utah is one of those states. What happens to those people like yourself if such laws are made in your area? I think the day is coming where all states will adapt such measures considering how we keep losing are rights and freedoms in this country.
Utah allows for the direct capture and storage of rainwater on land owned or leased by the person responsible for the collection. If a person collects or stores precipitation in an underground storage container, only one container with a maximum capacity of no more than 2,500 gallons may be used. For a covered storage container, no more than two containers may be used, and the maximum storage capacity of any one container shall not be greater than 100 gallons. Utah Code Annotated §73-3-1.5 www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/rainwater-harvesting.aspx
SW627 Perhaps instead of a knee jerk reaction about something you don't agree with, you should take the time to learn about and make an attempt to understand water rights. I'll admit that many times they don't seem to make sense but the legislation is in place so it is not "unlawful". However it may be crazy. Instead of wasting your time with rants, call you legally elected representatives and work on changing the laws.
1964tonto Hope you feel better after getting that off your chest. It seems you have your mind made up so I will not waste bandwidth attempting to change your mind. Have a wonderful life.
FACTS ABOUT RAINWATER HARVESTING IN OREGON Designs range from a simple rain barrel at the bottom of a downspout for watering a garden to extensive cistern systems that can provide a substantial amount of the water someone uses. Because of the efforts in Oregon to conserve water, the Building Codes Division has approved the use of rainwater harvesting systems as an alternate method to the state plumbing code. Information is available at bcd.oregon.gov.
Just to let everyone know, every farm in Australia, and basically anyone who lives more then 50 km out of a major city or 5 km out of a small town is on what we call "tank water." Rainwater is collected from the roof and flows into tanks. The water is safe to drink and no water treatment is needed. Once every 5 or 10 years or even longer people clean out the tanks. Its amazingly simple and highly effective.
You have made a brilliant system. Thank you for sharing!
Billy and his wife have a spirit of tenacity, independence, and perseverance that for me speaks volumes of the American way of life.
This should be required and normal instead of illegal anywhere. Thanks for posting.
it should be but with propper caution and hygenic education
and a good carbon filter
WOW! This is the most comprehensive setup I've seen! bravo!
This information is so valuable it should be required watching for every public official and taught in schools
Thank you for posting
This is a truly amazing system, especially the home system you have developed. I appreciate you making this video, and as a fellow Texan I plan to build my home completely independent of well or county water supplies. You present many great design and functionality ideas. You must be an engineer.
I also recently saw that there are companies selling and bottling drinkable rainwater! Bravo!! -Vicky
Great Video. I work in West Texas all the time and know how dry it is there. Really happy to see you sharing the info. Thanks
Great info...God bless you for this video...
Very well done! One comment on the rain barrel application, is to pay attention to the location of the hose bib. If it is positioned a few inches up from the bottom of the barrel, it will allow any dust or small particles that settle on the bottom of the inside of the barrel from possibly plugging or blocking the hose bib. The video shows the hose bib to be located a few inches from the bottom.
Wow! Thank you for taking the time to go through your setup.
A way to install a good natural filter is to place a few barrels in the system that are filled with sand and then rock. As the water filters through those barrels, it naturally filters itself.
thank you for posting, this a very informative video. I learned many things by watching.This lifestyle should be the norm for all home owners that have the resources to do so. the cost outlay of your system looks as though it may be expensive to set up. you have put lots of thought into your system and it's well planned out.very well done. thank you for sharing your much valued knowledge.I am in the very early stages and presently only using the blue barrels. I will refer to you video once again when I make my move to an upgrade.
Absolutely excellent presentation! Thanks so much.
That's an awesome system you have sir... Lots of helpful info... Thank you very much for sharing with us... I'm in the works to moving to my TN property and I don't have the money for a well so I'm going to have to start a small system for my water needs... It's like I always say... let's all learn from each other. Joe Tactical
Great video. Best information I have found on the internet net. I would like to learn more about the transfer system you use to move the water from your house/barn to the storage tanks.
Wow...that's some advanced water capturing. Thank you!
Very well explained. Thanks for posting!
Fantastic video. Thanks so much for the information.
You are partially correct. Exempt use include: Rainwater: collection and use of rainwater from an artificial impervious surface (like a parking lot or a building’s roof). Do a google search for rainwater harvesting in Oregon
Hats off to you for your efforts. You have given me many great ideas. Thank you soooo much.
Wow, fantastic system ! Beautiful ! Thanks for making this video !
Great video. Thanks for posting. Lots of wonderful information.
we use about 3,500 to 3,800 gallons per month in AZ for the two of us. about 1,000 to 1,500 gallons are used for showers. about 1,000 is used for washing machine, that over 2/3 of the water we use. I going to be putting in a small grass area. Using only shower water. I've check on using shower water, they say it's ok. that leave 1,000 gallons for dishes, watering the jeep once a week and the toilets. we in the southwest need to start saving and reusing our water. last year alone I could have saved 50,000 of water if I had a way to save the rain we get. thinking of building a 24x24x10 holding tank underground. would hold about 25,000 to 30,000 gallons of water. enough for 7 to 12 months. would like to put in some trees
Thank you for posting! Really great video!
Thanks for the post; looks great. How much money??? I'm on well water and am always concerned about water usage during the Georgia summers. We've done some of the smaller 30 gallon rubbermaid tanks but it is not a consitent source.
Looks like you can get pretty elaborate and run the potential of adding higher cost.
Thoughts?
Thank you. I'd love to take credit but all I did was piece together the videos and post it. The guy who did the work in the video is Billy Kniffen. He can be contacted at: b-kniffen@tamu.edu
Great job! I hope rain harvesting laws change everywhere.
Extraordinary system Sir. Fantastic job!
Very nice and educational video. Thank you sir.
Excellent presentation and great designs.
Don't bother drilling a hole in the side of the barrel for overflow, use a "t" fitting on top for overflow.
Wouldn't all the water just divert into overflow before fitting barrel then??
@@Gamer_Marcy_God No, water won't flow over the hole until the barrel is completely full. And unlike other connections, the barrel will be completely full.
wow its very creative way to save rain waters,,keep the great work and more videos need to educate the world. Back home in the Philippines we dig out a big hole on the ground about 6 to 10 feet wide, and 20 to 30 feet below it depends the water well.
Fantastic video
you are great!!! thank you. I am from Argentine. I would like to keep in touch with you! congratulation because of your work!
Thanks Billy! Awesome!
really interesting. we want to explore this concept to a more urban area...
Excellent! Great job Billy!
Great video.. I love the Texan accent :-)
Great info. Thanks for sharing.
Great video! Thanks I learned a lot.
For those concerned about the legality of rainwater harvesting please read the linked article: www.durangoherald.com/article/20150323/NEWS01/150329854/Rainwater-collection-passes-House-
Jeez. Crazy USA. Here in Australia, the tank setup you showed would be fine for potable water (connected to house, as I have done). Studies showed that the chance of getting sick was just about zippo:
www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/0D71DB86E9DA7CF1CA257BF0001CBF2F/$File/enhealth-raintank.pdf
But hey. You guys can still buy an AR15!
This is brilliant. Well done!
You have to be cautious with washing machine discharge. Make sure there is no human soiled garments, diapers etc. Dishwasher and kitchen sink discharge are not considered graywater because of the organic content likely present. Check out oasis design
Learned a new word watching this video, 'thus-by'. 6:04
No joke; I like it, I'll use it!
In all seriousness, great job, fascinating stuff
Well done. No pun intended.
plumbguru I know it doesn't get cold enough long enough to freeze the tanks but I question all that exposed plumbing. What happens when we get a hard freeze? It looks like you have PVC, filters, and other plumbing that would freeze.
I've got an old RV trailer in Mills county, about 50 miles east of you. When I got it the plumbing was a mess so I re-plumbed everything with 1/2" pvc. This past December it got down to under 20F a couple of nights so being unheated, the pipes all froze. A BUNCH of the connections (90's, elbows, and T's) broke but interestingly the actual pipe never broke. I basically had to re-plumb the entire trailer. I have a way to drain the system now so that shouldn't happen again.
Weird thing is I've got a several of outdoor pipes at my house in Austin that have never failed. The only difference is they're all 1" instead of 1/2".
Are the larger PVC fittings just more robust?
Thanks for you interest. If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact: Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu
Do you ever get power outages in Texas? Won't you be unable to use your sinks and toilets if those pumps lose power?
This guy is Awesome!!!
I don't want to sound dumb but if i have tar shingles can I use that to water my garden?thank you
00:35 guy in the yellow hat checking out the girl in the pink shirt. lol
Very well done video. Thanks
Thanks for this great info. I have a small camp in NH with a 'dug' ? well and we always run out of water so I want to put in a system like this. Where would I look for the large water storage tanks?
If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact:
Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu
plumbguru thanks!
Great video!!
Thanks for the information wish KSL news said that. Glad to know all I have to do to catch water on my own land, is fill out a bunch of forms for some person who doesn't own or live on my land. It's like asking your parents when your 6 "dad can I go play?" This world is a JOKE! Pay my land off $160,000 dollars of hard earned money and if I don't pay tax for two years they can take it lol. I really think this world has it's priorities all messed up. And do have a nice day ;)
Now that is what I call rain collecting. All the rest I have seen are too small even to be effective. We get a lot of rain here. I plan to buy a 1000 tank and raise it on platform where the tanks top is just a few inches below gutter level. The intention here is to be high enough to get gravity feed, I'll only use the system for toilets and laundry. This system is simple and should cut my water bill by 50%.
Great video. I feel like I know as much as him now haa. Not quite
FACTS ABOUT RAINWATER HARVESTING IN OREGON
Designs range from a simple rain barrel at the bottom of a downspout for watering a garden to extensive cistern systems that can provide a substantial amount of the water someone uses.
Because of the efforts in Oregon to conserve water, the Building Codes Division has approved the use of rainwater harvesting systems as an alternate method to the state plumbing code. Information is available at bcd.oregon.gov.
wont the water turn green in time, and will it be bad for your plants?
Normally I wouldn't respond to a comment like this however I will make an exception. Where so you suppose the water comes from to supply those sources?
?
I'm interested in the pump and pressure tank set up. Can you direct me on that?
More details on the equipment used can be found here: www.harvesth2o.com/billy.shtml This video was uploaded 3/2011 the email shown is no longer in service. The only contact info I have for him is on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/billy-kniffen-92776b45
Very nice
I wonder what the government will think of this, will they try to say your stealing rain, Lol...it would not surprise me one bit honestly!
So you have to have PVC downspout to prevent alge etc?
GREAT VIDEO!!!! thank you!
Great info. I live in a very cold climate, how do I keep the water from freezing.?
You can bury the storage tanks below the frost line or keep them in a heated rain barn as shown in the video
The frost line here is 48." Will I need a pump to get the water out.?
If gravity won't do it than yes, a pump will likely be required
Thank's
Great job
Clever man, thanks
hi do u prevent you rain tanks from freezing ? thanks
Wow, very impressive. I've read if I filter rainwater for sediments, etc and then boil it for 1 minute to kill viruses, then I can drink it. Is that correct? Thank you
In Australia, we just drink it. Sky-roof-tank-tap. Entirely legal, and safe:
www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/0D71DB86E9DA7CF1CA257BF0001CBF2F/$File/enhealth-raintank.pdf
Run it through a Berkey ceramic filter first... then you're good to go. I've already done it.. Check out some videos on it.
That's down to a science.
At 6.33 the roof washer is shown but it take 18 inches of 4 inch pvc pipe to hold 1 gal of water, so what good is it doing?
If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact:
Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu
Has the drought significantly constrained your water usage over the past couple of years? Would like to do something similar in SW OK, but don't think I can count on more than 15-20 inches of rain a year.
While the inches of rain are of much importance, the square footage of catchment area (typically the roof(s) is just as important.
To calculate how much water can be collected, multiply the square footage of catchment area times .6233, times the inches of rain then use 85% of that.
If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact:
Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu
thank you for the information from tjb p.s i have idea
Good stuff...thanks
How much did all of this cost you???
So classic
Or you could just move up here to the Great Lakes. It's a little cold now, but we're lousy with water!
Water levels in the Great Lakes have been dropping for quite a while so don't be too confident about the long term prognosis. And are you inviting everyone in the world to your area?
Not everyone, just good looking people with money!
Actually, no they didn't, you just have to register with the division of water rights. You can collect in 2 100 gallon containers above ground or 1 2500 container underground. All the info is right there on the utah.gov website.
Yes!
haha, how wonderful americans learnt how to harvest rain water, they are quite comical at times, but its tank water, harvested/used worldwide before america was even a country,
The 4 inch pvc pipe is the same I had damn kids use it to do chin UPS and broke it,all rainy season I never was notified, what a waste
to bad Utah made it illegal to catch water what a joke. We need to remind them it's are land.
Pure4Kicks pieces of Shit system of slavery USA
Our land
It's not "our"land either it's the abroginals home land
So he uses a light tight container to prevent algae growth, then cuts a hole in the lid and covers it with mesh to keep mosquitos out....and what about the algae now?
Maybe He's twelve but does are the kind of scene that usually gets cut out in the video editing process on a professional video... just saying...
great spens money and than save money whole year round
Hahaha
Excellent video, kingswatersystems.com has a natural cleaning process , you can watch a video at the listed website.
Lol ok I'll be
In several places out west I have heard it is unlawful to collect rainwater. I think Utah is one of those states. What happens to those people like yourself if such laws are made in your area? I think the day is coming where all states will adapt such measures considering how we keep losing are rights and freedoms in this country.
Utah allows for the direct capture and storage of rainwater on land owned or leased by the person responsible for the collection. If a person collects or stores precipitation in an underground storage container, only one container with a maximum capacity of no more than 2,500 gallons may be used. For a covered storage container, no more than two containers may be used, and the maximum storage capacity of any one container shall not be greater than 100 gallons. Utah Code Annotated §73-3-1.5
www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/rainwater-harvesting.aspx
SW627 Perhaps instead of a knee jerk reaction about something you don't agree with, you should take the time to learn about and make an attempt to understand water rights. I'll admit that many times they don't seem to make sense but the legislation is in place so it is not "unlawful". However it may be crazy. Instead of wasting your time with rants, call you legally elected representatives and work on changing the laws.
SW627 Well than this will get ya goin'....ruclips.net/video/GA8Nlpk-ZBc/видео.html
plumbguru "Call your legally elected representatives and work on changing the laws"??? A Right given to us by God. You have the mentality of a Slave!
1964tonto Hope you feel better after getting that off your chest. It seems you have your mind made up so I will not waste bandwidth attempting to change your mind. Have a wonderful life.
Why did you reply? Grow up...
If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact: Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu
What are you 12 years old? Grow up....
FACTS ABOUT RAINWATER HARVESTING IN OREGON
Designs range from a simple rain barrel at the bottom of a downspout for watering a garden to extensive cistern systems that can provide a substantial amount of the water someone uses.
Because of the efforts in Oregon to conserve water, the Building Codes Division has approved the use of rainwater harvesting systems as an alternate method to the state plumbing code. Information is available at bcd.oregon.gov.
If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact: Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu
If you would like more information from the guy in the video contact: Billy Kniffen email b-kniffen@tamu.edu