Rainwater Harvesting

[washregal]

I am in an area where my sewer runs 4x at least the cost of my water bills. I have a (7) bay SS wash and use most of my water in the winter months with my weep system.

I have (3) sediment tanks that run the distance of my equipment room. The last tank is mainly water that is the last tank which moves out toward the sewer. I am thinking if I could filter this water it would be a great source for water reclaim for my weeps and wash downs. Has anyone else used this water in this way? or have any ideas for me? I would need some engineering help - but I think it could be done.

 

[cantbreak80]

Basically, a shallow well pump with a good filtering system is all that’s needed.

Plus…

1. Pressure or flow switches that will automatically change to fresh water weep in the event of mechanical failure. (Electrical outages are already handled by the existing NO weep solenoid.)

2. High quality check valves to reduce the chances of fresh water system contamination

3. A serious primary backflow preventer to eliminate the chances of municipal water system contamination.

And, as with any essential system, spare parts and appropriate maintenance schedule.

Pros:
1. Reduced winter water consumption
2. no more weep water washers

Cons:
1. increased winter electrical cost
2. potentially increased maintenance for filters, well pump, foot valve, backflow device(s) and check valves
3. odor control

Any local water well installer or supplier should be able to help with proper pump sizing and accessory selection.

 

[robert roman]

“….my sewer runs 4x….cost of…water…. I have…SS.…most…water….winter months…weep system.” “I have (3) sediment tanks…last tank is (clarifier)….could…this water….be a…source for…..weeps and wash downs.”

When sewer cost is considerably more than water, cost of delivering, treating and processing for reclaimed purposes is greater than cost of pumping and treating ground water.

If you had cooling tower or irrigation (waste doesn’t go to sewer), you could reduce sewer by installing separate meter. However, wastewater from weep and wash down goes to catch basin then sewer.

Before deciding anything, most folks would estimate cost of weep and wash down.

For sake of argument, wand uses 15 gallons/vehicle and wash down = percent evaporation and carryout or 25% or 4 gal/vehicle, rounded. 15 – 4 = 11 gal/vehicle car washing and 4 gal wash down.

Wash down is annual. Benchmark six wands is 25,000 vehicles/year * 4 = 100,000 gal

Weep is seasonal, fluctuates with temperature. Experts say 6-bay uses 2 gal weep every minute below 36 degrees. Example was 20,000 gal every week weep runs.

Assume it’s really cold and weep runs 5 months or 20,000 * 4 * 5 = 400,000 gal + 100,000 wash down = 500,000 gal.

If water rate is $1.50/1,000 gal and sewer rate is $6.00/1,000 gal, 500,000 / 1,000 = 500 * $6.00 = $3,000 or disposal cost of weep and wash down

How much are you willing to invest to save potential of $3,000 a year?

If you could reduce weep and wash down by 50% or $1,500, over 5 years = $7,500 benefit.

$1,500 / 12 / 1.5 = $83 month or lease equivalent of $4,000 investment. (7.5 – 4 / 4) / 5 = 18% average annual ROI

Besides expense of shallow well and pre-treatment, storage and re-pressurization of well water, there is blow-down antifreeze protection system, weep miser and other solutions (i.e. RO) as well as pricing strategies to consider in benefit/cost.

Hope this helps.