With the wide roof of the Studio Shed draining an average 680 gallons of water per month (with avg 3” rain/month in DC), and the garden continually growing, it was time to upgrade the rain saving capacity at the Showcase- and make rain catchment front and center.
The current cistern is a 250 gallon flexible tank hidden under the Minim House. The new one is an 800 gallon galvanized metal tank made from recycled materials, 5′ in diameter and over 6′ tall. It came from metalraintanks.com, owned and operated by Nell Wheeler, a green plumber, and one of the few female master plumbers in Texas. (while shipping was a bit pricey, it was difficult to find any similar product closer by). Inside, the sealant and epoxy are both rated NSF-61 for potable water use, so no chemicals leaching into your garden or tap water.
Finding a compact metal water tank was a priority. One may string together salvaged 50 gallon plastic barrels, buy specially made plastic tanks, find used 250 gallon plastic IBCs (intermediate bulk containers), install a waterwall or wall of water, but aesthetically this is not the kindest thing to do to your neighbors- whatever form they take, these really only seem to look decent when entirely hidden– and if hidden, the message of rain collection is largely lost. So a metal tank was the ticket.
Leaf filter
First flush water system diagram
The cistern is set on a leveled bed of crushed rock. Off the downspout, a leaf screen + a first flush diverter kit are installed to flush out the leaves, pollen and other dust on the roof that comes into the tank during the first few minutes of a rainstorm. So far, working great. While it is gravity fed system, we will soon add simple pumping system for pressurized water.
For more infomation, see the page on off grid water.
