Rainwater recovery System

[Shox Dr]

Has anyone experience/knowledge etc of installing Rainwater recovery systems.

I could do with some advise on what type of pump to use, and a backup filling system from mains supply.

I have done some homework and a basic Backup filling system is circa £150, and a submersible pressure sensitive pump is £100 up to ....

I *could* build a backup filling system for a lot less than 170, but I've soooooooo many jobs on the go, it's less hassle to just buy one. But 170quid for a float switch, a solenoid and a few fittings ffs


Any ideas for better deals/suggestions on type/make of pumps

 

[rtbcomp]

Get hold of an old dishwasher, that should have a water level switch, pump and solenoid valve in it.

 

[J_K]

My proper job is desinging and installing irrigation systems in plant nurseries and this is something that I'm coming across more and more.

Depending on what you want to do with your rain water, it's often a pointless excersize on a commercial basis due to having to store so much water.

To be honest, the prices you have are pretty good.
I would be looking at stuff costing alot more than that but they would probably be a bit more substantial and probably made of Stainless due to the environment they're in.

 

[stuvy]

is this for toilet flushing or watering a bloody big garden?

 

[Shox Dr]

The system is for my house. I'm in the middle of an extension. New Building regs state any covered ground must have the rain water run off, diverted to a soak-away and must not drain directly into the Main sewerage/surface water system.

So while I had to dig a hole I thought I might as well drop a couple of concrete rings in side by side (because of depth) to make 2 tanks and pump the stored water back into the house for Toilets, Washing Machine, Workshop sink, and garden.

To buy a ready made system with a 3500ltr Tank pump and associated bits is circa £2300


So far the cost break down is;

Base slab pour £100
2 x 1800Dia x 1200 deep Rings and two tops £117 Delivered and placed
2 x man hole covers £100

So that leaves to purchase/make

Submersible pressure sensitive pump
Main fed Water back up system/Control panel
Plumbing and wiring

 

[J_K]

Don't forget you need to waterproof the rings and slab.

Otherwise you have a soakaway....

 

[Shox Dr]

Don't worry. I already have that sorted

 

[Master-of-none]

Submersible pumps in Screwfix (and others)
Pump feeds a header tank in loft fitted with pressure switch ex washing machine.
low level calls the rainwater pump
very low level ballcock for mains water with double check valve
Add a line filter to keep any dirt out of the system

Went through a rough design for a friend, but it's hard to justify spending the money and even the electric to run the pump when they didn't have a water meter and had mains drainage.

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

Has anyone experience/knowledge etc of installing Rainwater recovery systems.

I could do with some advise on what type of pump to use, and a backup filling system from mains supply.

I have done some homework and a basic Backup filling system is circa £150, and a submersible pressure sensitive pump is £100 up to ....

I *could* build a backup filling system for a lot less than 170, but I've soooooooo many jobs on the go, it's less hassle to just buy one. But 170quid for a float switch, a solenoid and a few fittings ffs


Any ideas for better deals/suggestions on type/make of pumps

Perhaps use a recovered bog standard central heating pump and on the draw end of the water lift pipe have a ball sealing it ( use a small aluminium fire extinguisher for the priming chamber and use the inverted neck downwards so the ball seals it for priming... you should be able to lift 30 feet x 3/4 dia of water or more

Make a simple sealed container float and actuating rod on a micro switch that runs up two or three guides with the water proofed on off micro switch sat at the top end.
Dont put your micro switch at the pump end of things, put it in the recovered water header tank instead that way you will stop pumping when the header is full rather than if the supply is lost . Use a washing machine air pressure switch to drop out the lift pump if the water supply is lost.
set it all up to run on a time clock either for economy seven or so you have quiteness during silent hours.

 

[J_K]

Easy water proof level switches.

http://www.allpumps.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=69