Long term water solutions

[Tofu]

Tarheel: It sounds like it would work. But like many things the more complex the system the more likely things will break. You might consider a cistern system capturing rain water.

[Lowdown3]

Sounds workable but often times we have found what seems or sounds workable doesn't always work out the best. At least that's my experience with things.

Your looking to pump it back up the hill so you can have some water pressure from the drop? Or you need it up the hill but the water source isn't up the hill?

[Lowdown3]

Sounds workable but often times we have found what seems or sounds workable doesn't always work out the best. At least that's my experience with things.

Your looking to pump it back up the hill so you can have some water pressure from the drop? Or you need it up the hill but the water source isn't up the hill?

[tarheelsman71]

Solar.

You got it. I want to put the water in a cistern above my retreat. My retreat is actually at the peak of the hill so I want to build a raised platform on top of the hill and have a 250 gal or better yet a 500 gal container up on top so we can have water pressure. I am going to test the theory this weekend. I am gonna get 2 rubbermaid containers and put water in the one and pump into the other from an elevated position and see how much water and elevation I can get from one pump. My question, since none of my group members are electricians etc., How much solar would we need to power those devices?

[Lowdown3]

Check the amperage of the pumps, that will give you a ballpark.

We have part of our water system on a similar type setup. A 110 volt RV "on demand" pressure pump provides a boost in pressure for the houses. Without it, you have to stand almost under the shower head.

It's 110 because we have an AE system, inverter, etc. They make 12 volt on demand pumps also. Don't buy a cheapie harbor freight one, a good Shurflo one will only set you back about $89. at Northern Tool and it will be considerably better quality than the $49. china freight one.

Their is an old post of mine here about AG tanks. They are relatively inexpensive and last a long time. You would need to reinforce or provide cover for it though as they are just plastic.

A group up north I've consulted for a couple times have a year round spring. They have a couple of nice concrete cisterns where the springs are fed. They just happen to be slightly uphill from their structures. They get water pressure without any work.

I was not that lucky :(