Rainwater usage - part 2

[al_uk]

Hi All, my system in this thread

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,11208.0.html

has been working a treat for 6 months now, except for the frozen pipes over the cold weather. The toilets are plumbed in, and work fine, and the plants were all watered automatically with a couple of litres per day during the summer. The home made 1st flush diverter didn't work so well, so that has been abandoned for now. I just have a single 220 micron in line mesh filter on the inlet to the pump.

Next consideration is whether to use the water to top up our small swimming pool and to feed the washing machine. I think I would need to put in some filtration, and was thinking of something like this inline with the outlet pipe.

http://www.vyair.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=68

Any thoughts on whether this would be sufficient, or alternatives? An ozone generator?

On the pump side, I am looking at using a 12v bilge pump with a float switch to transfer the water to the pool. When the IBCs are full, the bilge pump would pump an inch or so of water out of the IBCs into the pool. It is likely that the IBCs will be filling at a high rate for a short duration during summer storms, so I need to have a reasonable flow rate to make use of the water.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[pontiff]

Hi,
I disconnected my system for the winter and I'm very glad I did as the the tanks almost froze solid.

Regarding filters. I went down the DIY filter route with a fine mesh sheet followed by a 1 micron filter bag ( designed for filtering wvo) all inside my two year olds sand pit bucket ( sorry son). I needs to be washed out with a hosepipe every couple of months but works really well.
This was followed later with an inline 25w uv sterilizer when I connected up the washing machine.

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,10906.75.html

Has worked great so far and Mrs P reports a high quality wash from the rainwater. I probably wouldn't have bothered with this stage if i was on my own but didn't want to take risks with the wife and kiddies.

[al_uk]

Hi Pontiff, I've now done similar. I have a 10 micron bag above the IBC in a bucket, which drains into a 1 micron bag which conincidentally fits snugly over the top opening in the IBC.

That takes care of the input filtering. I've also added a 1 micron blue cartridge filter just after the pump which takes care of the output.

I've also added a £40 ozone bubbler on a timer feeding into the IBC through an airstone. This should hopefully take care of any organic stuff.

The washing machine is now plumbed in and we did our 1st rainwater wash today.

Next project to think about will be to convert one of the showers to rainwater...

[al_uk]

I've now made a box out of 18mm ply for the pump and filter, mounted to the side of the house, and attached a photo. The solenoid valves are 12v and are computer controlled. One is used to pump water to micro drippers for watering the plants and vegetables in the summer, and the other is used to fill up another IBC in a higher location when the 3 local IBCs are full. The water levels are detected by 3 float switches which are also fed into the PC.

The ozonator comes on for 30 mins every 4 hours, and also runs continuously when it rains. I've no idea if this is enough, but I've ordered a water test kit to find out.

Slight problem at the moment is that the water meter leaks a little at the brass fittings.

[pontiff]

Looks excellent , well done!!. Makes mine look like some idiotic bodge up.... oh hang on, it is!
Been working on some quick release mains changeover connections in preparation for next winters freeze, will post pics in my thread when finished. 

[al_uk]

Ooh, I'll be interested to see what you come up with for the quick changeover. I just have a flexi hose into the cistern, with a push fit on the other end which goes to either the rain feed or the mains feed.

[pontiff]

Ooh, I'll be interested to see what you come up with for the quick changeover. I just have a flexi hose into the cistern, with a push fit on the other end which goes to either the rain feed or the mains feed.

Me too, but the pushfits I have are a pain to get off. I want something like the Hozelock hosepipe quick release fittings but a bit more rugged.

[al_uk]

Ah, thats an idea, how about this

http://www.easywatering.co.uk/acatalog/BRASS_INTERNAL_ADAPT.html on the end of the feeds

and

http://www.easywatering.co.uk/acatalog/BRASS_male_adapter.html on the end of the flexihose.

Ideally want them with autostops, but couldn't find one.

[Iain]

Hi
Have modified my cistern to have 2 float valves each with its own isolating valve. As I used the overflow hole for the second inlet I lowered the syphon to act as the overflow.This gives a 2" air gap between the overflow water level and the outlet of each valve. 1 for mains and 1 for rainwater. Just open the mains valve on the pipe and shut rainwater valve and all changed over. No chance of cross contamination due to 2" air gap.
In picture 2 water is still filling so level is a bit low, runs at normal water level mark.
Iain

[pontiff]

Hi Iain,
That was my original plan as it makes contamination extremely unlikely but it seems to breach water regs because there is no weir ( apparently an overflow pipe is not sufficient).

Al_uk,

They're the ticket I think. Time to get bodging!

[al_uk]

My next step in heating the rainwater for use in a shower continues here.

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,13123.msg149205.html#msg149205