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Private Well Update

I would think that some filters in-line would be all I may need.

$15k sounds like alot; I was hoping for $10k to drill, trench, connect and plumb/power.
 
pitzerwm said:
Big, read my AU car wash article, there was a guy that did just that and even talked his neighbor into letting him harvest his roofs.
Click to expand...

Sorry Bill...but I can't find the article. Got a link?

Sorry Waxman...don't mean to hijack your topic.

The one issue with collecting the rainwater is that most of it ends up in the Sanitary Sewer. This may contravene the sewer use regulations. What do you guys think?
 
I think collecting rainwater is a good idea in theory. However, in practice there are hrudles to overcome; regulations regarding cisterns as well as sewer issues. My town wants to get paid for sewer, regardless of where the water originates, so I would have to meter all non-town -supplied water.
 
Waxman said:
I would think that some filters in-line would be all I may need.

$15k sounds like alot; I was hoping for $10k to drill, trench, connect and plumb/power.
Click to expand...

That $15k included a Fleck 2900 two tank water softener system and and a 6k/gpd R/O generator.
 
I did the math on my cistern plan. So if I had twenty 55Gal drums that filled twice a month, it would save me $28 on my bill. Not worth the hassle.
 
BIGleo:
It may be worth the hassle if you paint the barrels and PVC piping black and thereby pre-heat the water in warm months.
 
We collect rainwater in underground tanks. Here are some things to consider:

You have to go with BIG tanks. Because usually when it rains nobody wants to wash cars and when the sun shines the small tanks are empty.

A first-flush device is good. If it starts raining the first 1-2 buckets get dumped in case your roof is contaminated (bird poo, leafs, dust, etc.)

Connecting the R/O waste water is more than easy now. Just connect it to your roof downpipe.

A filter is a must before the water goes into any machines. We use rainwater on everything.
 
Washmee said:
That $15k included a Fleck 2900 two tank water softener system and and a 6k/gpd R/O generator.
Click to expand...

It will be all of $15,000 for my well project(complete) based on the first few estimates. I am getting one more and making a decision.

I know my usage over a 6 year period. I think I know the electricity cost to pump 100 cu.ft. of water.

Am I missing anything?:)
 
When you try to calculate your ROI, don't forget 5% or something for maintenance. And be conservative with your guessing.
 
It was already mentioned that you will have to put a meter on the well for a waste water charge. Have you checked to see if there is a restriction on how much water you can draw from the well? In some locations you can only draw up to a certain amount.
 
Waxman said:
It will be all of $15,000 for my well project(complete) based on the first few estimates. I am getting one more and making a decision.

I know my usage over a 6 year period. I think I know the electricity cost to pump 100 cu.ft. of water.

Am I missing anything?:)
Click to expand...

What type of motor control system does it include? At the very least it should be a soft start contactor. The only problems I've had with my system were caused by having a regular motor starter for the pump motor. Since it's a 7.5hp pump, it created a lot of torque at start up and I've had to replace the motor twice. The last time I put in a VFD controller that will save me money on electricity and prolong the pump life.
 
I've seen a wash with a booster pump set up like Washmee described. Instead of a large bladder tank, it has a very small one (I think just one gallon) and a VFD system to control a 3-phase motor. He said the whole thing cost about $2500. It spools the motor up to meet demand and it very rarely runs at full RPM. Most of the time you can't hear it running.
 
There is a variable drive involved to lug along slowly as demand is low then ramp up fast when the wash is running at capacity.

The whole shebang is costly ,IMO, but hard to deny the cost savings; 35 cents per 100 cu ft for electricity cost vs. 3.65 buying it from the town. Plus maintenance costs etc.
 
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