The Water Tank |
We have a large (approximate capacity 17000litres) underground rain water tank. It is fed from the roof of the house, conservatory, garage and glasshouse via an underground gravel and sand filter. This was the original water supply for the house until mains water was became available in about 1953. Over the years the iron grating at the bottom of the filter had become rusted and broken and the water was becoming increasingly dirty. We pump the water by hand and an electric pump and use it mainly to water the plants and garden. In August 1999 we cleaned and renovated the tank and the filter. Since then we have installed an automatic electric pump and connected this to the house to supply cold water to the utility room, washing machine, and downstairs toilet representing around two thirds of our water usage. Only on rare occasions has the tank run dry. The longest period was two weeks. We save a couple of hundred pounds each year in the cost of.water and the cost of the pump etc has paid for itself many times over. Now in 2010 it is still providing clear clean water having required no maintainence to date.