Consuming catchment water... (storage, dangerous, safe)

[terracore]

Originally Posted by lucknow

Years ago I sold water systems...The best solution and again the lowest cost solution is a large whole house Carbon filter that is installed downline from the UV system. You never ever want bio contaminated water in ANY FILTER...
I have tested people's water that just put chlorine in the tank as a treatment and found the water to be totally contaminated with bacteria.
It's a poor solution for many reasons.

I would check the documentation that comes with the UV sterilization unit before following this advice. My unit's documentation is pretty clear the water has to be filtered to the 5 micron level before getting hit with the UV before the company guarantees the water is sterile. In other words, the filters have to come before the UV unit. UV energy cannot pass through solid objects like sediment or cloudy water.

I totally agree with you on the chlorine. I used to have a hot tub and it took constant testing and tweaking and that was a closed system. I don't think using chlorine in a catchment tank is advised.

[OpenD]

Conventional thinking about water purification is obsolete.

First, the Sawyer filter system is new technology, and is based on hollow-tube dialysis filter media. It works totally differently from conventional filters, which seek to entrap pollutants in activated carbon blocks or in fibrous materials. Instead the Sawyer units pass water through microscopic pores in hollow tubes, and the pores are too small to allow pathogens to pass through. That's why you can literally feed ditch water in and get clean, safe drinking water in.

Second, the amount of chlorine to be used in rainwater tanks feeding conventional filters and UV or ozone sterilization is at a fraction of the dosage needed for a hot tub, in which people are in the water, with all the polluting microrganisms on their bodies and in all their orifices being in contact with water that is held at an ideal temperature for breeding pathogens.

With a Sawyer filter, the reason for adding chlorine, if you do, is simply to discourage algae growth. The algae will be filtered out, but it accelerates the clogging of the filter media, requiring more frequent backflushing to clear the filter... which is a lifetime investment, by the way... good for a million gallons or more. And no power is required in use!

[J.vick]

From what all I have read here and other sites that appears to be true and the cost a fair amount for the security of clean water. I will be buying one after purchasing my Big Island home.

[OpenD]

Yes the whole house Sawyer filter is expensive if you buy it preplumbed with the necessary shutoffs and backflush circuit, but I think it's worth it, given what plumbers charge.

Matter of fact, given the cost of a UV lamp replacement every year, plus changing the filter elements as required, I think replacing an existing filter/UV system with the Sawyer unit could pay for itself in maybe 5 or 6 years, and then save money every year after that. Plus, it requires no power to operate, and requires less fiddling. UV units have to be wiped down monthly and changed annually, filter cartridges need to be changed. The Sawyer only requires back flushing when the flow slows down.

[terracore]

My UV unit does not have to be wiped down monthly. Without more data to go on, I'm guessing you are referring to the quartz sleeve, the recommended manufacturer inspection/cleaning period is every 1-2 years depending on hardness of water, however that is really more geared towards installing the unit on well systems with hard water problems. I removed and inspected my quartz sleeve after 2 years on catchment and it was crystal clear, so I decided to postpone the next inspection/cleaning on a 3-year cycle instead of a 2 year cycle.

The UV tube DOES have to be replaced annually. It costs about $90 on amazon prime with free shipping and takes approximately 5 minutes to replace.

[EddieLo]

I have just left the BI where I looked at properties for two weeks. I have decided in a house that has no catchment. It's private well water. Something I'm not familiar with. I partly chose this house because it has no catchment and just don't like seeing a large tank sitting in the back yard. imho, not a pleasant sight to look at. Plus I just don't want to have to deal with problems that comes with a catchment. However, if anyone knows, about how much will I be paying for well water? And does it come with no meter, thus unlimited use? I own a home in Oakley, CA that has well water and pay a flat fee per month. No meter and unlimited supply, even during droughts. I did not ask about the cost of water because I actually made an offer after returning back to CA. I suppose I could ask the realtor.

[67Cam]

Originally Posted by EddieLo

...However, if anyone knows, about how much will I be paying for well water? And does it come with no meter, thus unlimited use? I own a home in Oakley, CA that has well water and pay a flat fee per month. No meter and unlimited supply, even during droughts. I did not ask about the cost of water because I actually made an offer after returning back to CA. I suppose I could ask the realtor.

I remember reading a thread about the cost of water in one of the subdivisions that has their own system. My recollection is that it seemed pretty inexpensive (compared to what we're used to here in California). It may have been on this thread or on Punawab.

I'm sure someone with the knowledge will chime in, however if you want to look for it I found the best way to dig up info on past threads was to use Google rather than the search tool on the forums. The key is to use the forum name in your search, i.e. "Punaweb HPP water cost", or "city data Hawaii sub name water cost"...

[1freespirit]

In Hawaii here on catchment don't drink it but do cook with it and brush teeth etc.

Our Idaho home we are on spring.. gravity fed.. PVC from creek (or water bubbling out of ground forgot what hubby said) to holding tank (up mountian) then PVC pipe under ground comes down mountain and connects to house water supply.

I've never been up to the well (cistern) as its up mountain side and hubby says I do not want to see it.. we do not drink that either but I do use for cooking and brushing teeth etc.

Wonder which one would be worse? Catchment or spring?

[leilaniguy]

Originally Posted by EddieLo

I have just left the BI where I looked at properties for two weeks. I have decided in a house that has no catchment. It's private well water. Something I'm not familiar with. I partly chose this house because it has no catchment and just don't like seeing a large tank sitting in the back yard. imho, not a pleasant sight to look at. Plus I just don't want to have to deal with problems that comes with a catchment. However, if anyone knows, about how much will I be paying for well water? And does it come with no meter, thus unlimited use? I own a home in Oakley, CA that has well water and pay a flat fee per month. No meter and unlimited supply, even during droughts. I did not ask about the cost of water because I actually made an offer after returning back to CA. I suppose I could ask the realtor.

You can contact Hawaiian Beaches Water Co. at 808 965 8388. There are meters and last time I checked they charge $30 monthly, plus $4.22 per thousand gallons (I own a lot there.)

[Due]

Originally Posted by 1freespirit

.

Wonder which one would be worse? Catchment or spring?

don't know much about this, but:
my concern (with a spring) is what other animals drink from it and have any died in or around it.