In the early planning stages of using an old cistern. Looking for thoughts and guidance on my plan.
Cistern is under the sunroom and about 8.5 feet deep from the lid in the sunroom. Only about 6 inches of water at the moment. I've been fighting various water issues with the house. I plan on having a company clean the cistern.
Many of the gutters were leaking at joints or didn't go far enough from the house. Temporarily added 4 inch corrugated pipe to extend it. But I would like to bury and route them to my cistern for non potable water rain catchment use. Mostly plan on using for lawn care during dry spells. New asphalt roof so I don't want to use it for compost, crops, or drinking.
White PVC shown coming out of the crawlspace vent is in the front of the house. Cistern is in the back of the house. I plan on sending the front gutter into the vent to eliminate the need to routing it underground around the house. I'll add a new vent coming out the side of the sunroom instead. All other gutters will be buried and sent to the cistern through a new hole I'll drill in the side. Finally an overflow that will kick out the back of the house which goes downhill.
There is a pump for the cistern present. I've yet to test if it's working. But I'll need to disconnect it from the house water supply and add a spigot for non potable water outside. Replace pump if needed.
TL:DR what do I need to know when routing gutters to an unused cistern?
by Wannabe_Gamer-YT
2 Comments
I don’t have much to add besides that I am planning on doing the same thing sometime this summer. I appreciate the post!.
By biggest thoughts would be to make sure you maintain slope and have the connections correct to not leak. Id also consider some way to stop organic material from entering the cistern as well (gutter guards, a mesh strainer you could clean, etc.)
I like it but the ex- remediator in me sees a gigantic mold source 😔