You have to admit, the idea of off-grid living sounds exciting.
Human beings use water for a variety of reasons, some of which are more important than others.
For basic hygiene practices, the requirement can be around 1 to 1.5 gallons.
This can vary based on climate, individual physiology, and social norms.
To start with, you should probably do the right planning and create a basic system design.
The first thing to do is to locate a dependable source of water.
Contrary to popular belief, there are quite a few water sources in the wilderness that you may find.
Well Water
People have used wells since the early days of human civilization.
In case the property doesnt have one, digging a new well can be highly expensive.
The depth of the groundwater table will determine the final depth of the well.
The average depth of wells in the United States is around 150 feet.
The deeper you better go, the higher the costs will be.
It can vary between 100 feet in wet areas to 1000 feet in a desert climate.
A complete Artesian well system for the off-grid cabin can cost anywhere between $10,000 to $20,000.
Most likely, you will need a permit to dig a well as per the local regulations.
If you are planning to dig your own well, think again.
Also, without the right equipment, the hole diameter might not be big enough for a pump.
The minimum requirement of maintenance is another big plus.
Keep in mind, well water may have quality issues.
Thankfully, there are other options you’re able to choose from.
While this is less expensive, it is considered illegal in many areas.
You may need a permit for doing the same from the local authorities.
However, the consumption of surface water from a stagnant source is not advisable without purification.
Since the water is flowing continuously, it is purer than surface water sources like lakes.
Collecting the creek water will need a submersible pump.
To transfer the water through rugged terrain or a steep gradient, choose a powerful pump.
Combining the pump with a filtration system is a good idea.
Apart from that, using spring water is another option.
Even though spring water flows freely, harvesting it requires a lot of initial effort.
Firstly, you might find the spring in an inconvenient location.
Besides, the water may get contaminated from other sources.
Still, it can be effective as a supplemental option.
Its also one of the cleanest natural water sources and is free from chemicals and excess minerals.
To start with, get a clear idea about the annual average precipitation in your location.
The barrels can be placed at a gutter downspout or at the end of collection pipes.
you could simply buy water and haul it to your cabin.
Besides, purchasing water in bulk is not possible in every location.
There are ranch water fill stations in some municipalities that can be another solution.
They are also a lifesaver in case your off-grid system gets damaged in an emergency.
Besides, it might be too far from your location to be a feasible option.
Most supply systems come with the following basic elements.
The conveyance system will require a pump connected with supply pipelines.
The pump capacity in gallon per minute flow rate can vary depending on your requirement.
For storing water storage tanks or cisterns are used.
Both above-ground and underground placement is possible, depending on your conditions.
Remember, the installation of underground cisterns requires some proper engineering and a close inspection of the soil condition.
Without the right foundation for support, a large cistern may collapse or sink into the ground.
Note, a cistern is designed to handle the stress levels at a particular depth.
So do not place your cistern too deep in the ground.
Storage tanks made from food-grade plastic are an affordable option.
They offer great durability and are also designed to resist microbial growth.
Being lightweight, they are also easy to move around when empty.
These renewable energy sources can power the pump to deliver pressurized water to your line.
A pump is also used to transfer water to a storage tank located at a higher elevation.
Solar pumps are becoming a popular choice for off-grid water supply.
The solar arrays that produce electricity power the pump.
Being powered by solar energy, they can function as a fully independent system.
These pumps are easily compatible with overhead tanks or underground cisterns.
A submersible DC pump operating on solar power can draw water from a deep well.
Also, solar pumps consume a lower energy per gallon than a conventional centrifugal AC pump.
An independent wind water pumping system can also be set up.
Here, the pump is connected with a wind rotor, a tower, and a mechanical linkage system.
The most important thing is to match the pump capacity with the turbine blade design.
The minimum wind speed required is around 5-6 mph.
For deeper wells, a multi-bladed turbine design will be necessary.
Another option is to use an electric wind water pump system operated by a wind turbine generator.
Batteries can store the power for use when the wind is not blowing.
The major advantage of this system is the pump can be located at a distance from the turbine generator.
A gravity-operated system is the most popular method of water distribution.
It is one of the oldest techniques used in a water supply.
The old-school method of using just your arms to fetch water may seem a little backward.
But it has multiple benefits in an off-grid setting.
Since the system functions without power, it can ensure water security in case the power supply fails.
you might use the pump to fill buckets and carry them to the storage point.
However, these pumps are best for shallow wells.
Usually, manual pumps are not effective for wells deeper than 250 feet.
As you pump the handle up and down, a simple rod and piston mechanism push the water up.
In addition to that, the system requires very little maintenance.
This makes the entire process more difficult and time-consuming.
You may also use a manual pump alongside an electric pump to get the best of both worlds.
Hot Water Off-Grid
Ensuring a hot water supply for your off-grid cabin will be an energy-intensive aspect.
Still, it is a necessity in some areas.
One of the oldest methods is to boil water on a stove or over a woodfire.
But that will require a lot of hard work and fuel.
Installing a propane water heater is another affordable option.
Then again, your fuel supply may not be enough for boiling gallons of water every day.
One of the best ways is to use a solar-powered water heater and harness the power of the sun.
This water is stored in a separate tank, before being supplied for household use.
Note, the storage tank should be well insulated to prevent heat loss.
Before installing any solar water heating system, consider the cost and efficiency.
ensure to check the solar resource of your area along with the local codes and regulations.
There are two types of solar heating systems which are generally used.
Active Solar Water Heating
There are two forms of active systems.
If your area is not too cold, a direct circulation system with a pump should be good enough.
For colder climates, a more complex indirect circulation system is a better option.
These systems use a non-freezing heat transfer fluid, a heat exchanger, and a pump.
Passive Solar Water Heating
These systems are less expensive but have a lower efficiency.
However, they tend to last longer.
They can be classified into two types- integral collector-storage passive systems and thermosyphon systems.
Water Purification
Purifying the waterbefore consumption is an extremely important step.
Impure water can not only affect your health but the sediment in it can damage equipment and clog pipelines.
The first step is to conduct a water test to determine the quality.
That said, water used for livestock and plants does not need extensive purification.
Unfiltered rainwater or well water can be used for activities other than drinking or cooking.
To optimize time and resources, it is important to estimate the exact volume of water that requires purification.
Basically, the treatment of water involves both filtration and purification.
Filtration is clearing the larger particles and sediments from water.
Purification is the removal of unseen impurities likeparasites, heavy metals, and chemicals.
We have listed some common problems related to well and surface water.
Many survivalists use a three-stage DIY filter made from sand,gravel, and charcoal for purifying water.
But thats not the best choice for filtering large volumes of water.
So here are some simple but effective ways of purifying water for an off-grid location.
In most cases, it is used along with sedimentation to remove the suspended particles from water.
While boiling will not remove chemicals, it will remove the harmful parasites.
However, boiling gallons of water will require a lot of time and a huge expenditure of fuel.
Apart from boiling, distillation is another great way of removing all forms of impurities from water.
Here the water is boiled and the steam is collected and condensed back to obtain pure water.
However, this is a labor-intensive process and best for purifying small volumes of water.
UV Light Treatment
Sunlight contains enough UV radiation to decontaminate water.
But the process is time-consuming and dependent on solar intensity.
UV rays between the bandwidth of 200 nm and 300 nm are best for this purpose.
Since UV filters will not remove the suspended particles, you gotta combine them with a particulate filter.
Ceramic Water Filters
These are simple mechanical filters that are easy to use and are compact.
The water passes through the microscope pores in the filter element.
The larger impurities, including microorganisms, get left behind.
Since they last long and the filtercandlesare replaceable, they offer great value.
Chemical Disinfectants
In this method chlorine is the most common element used for purification.
The chemicals used include bleach or sodium hydroxide which release chlorine.
It is important to use the chemicals in the right amount with a given volume of water.
Here are a few tips to help you optimize water consumption.
The proper functioning of the system depends on multiple technical considerations.
In addition, check out the locality to find out the option that works best for you.
Budget is another factor that will play a significant role in your decision.
