There have been a few long dry months since the summer rain and I was beginning to wonder if I would run out of water. My 500 gallon tank was empty and my 350 gallon tank had only 100 or so gallons. I still have my back-up 400 gallon tank and my jacuzzi is full. While I was away for Thanksgiving it rained a little and I was able to collect 200 gallons. I could have collected more but my pipe that catches the rain blew over. Then last week it rained again, another 300 gallons collected. And whoo-hoo...it rained again this week. I don't know how much I collected because it is dark when I get home from work but I think my tanks are almost full.In the summer I only used 50-70 gallons of water a week in the RV (laundry is separate) and I use that same amount now. In the winter I catch the cold water from the shower, while waiting for the hot water, in an old iced tea jug and use it for the toilet. It's another little chore but I would rather do that than have to fill my RV water tank more often. I only have to fill it once a week.
It would be nice to have a bigger tank for the RV but I would probably just waste more water if it was available. The people at work like to tease me and tell me how nice their long hot showers are, or that if anyone visits me they would have to bring their own water, or that instead of paying me they should just give me water. My boss thinks my water system is interesting but he insists that I need to drill a well for re-sale value. Maybe so, but I don't plan on selling any time soon so why do I care what other people want? I am happy saving money with my own little water company.
6 comments:
I bow down and worship your frugality! Living on rain water in your part of the country is very impressive.
I commend you and your collection of rainwater. If only everyone installed rainwater tanks.
We are in the middle of one of the best rains I can remember in a long time over here. It rained two days just about solid. The old timers call it a 'tub rain', because you could fill all the washtubs with it by just sticking them outside. I may start calling it a 'daizy rain'
Thank you Alex K for the admiration. I never would have thought of it if I hadn't bought this property with water tanks and gutters already installed. And then with wells being so expensive. Necessity being the mother of invention and all that. I thought I would give it a try.
livingmyrichlife, I am amazed that houses don't even have gutters here. But like gas, no one will conserve water until it is really expensive.
Over the Cubicle Wall, you need to send some of that water over my way...but give me some warning...I need a bigger tank.
This is awesome! I must admit we "burn" through water like crazy. I probably empty the grey tank every three days :-(
ERE, I used a lot more water when I lived in an RV park. If you are ever going to try self-contained camping you'll probably want to see how long it takes the 2 of you to empty the fresh water tank. I bet your showers will get really short really fast!
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