Step-by-step instructions on how to build a cistern with a shell and liner.

The cistern is now finished and has water in it!

The new cistern's walls are up. We're just waiting for the rain to stop, so we can put in the liner and make the roof.

We have started work on a new 6,000 gallon water tank for the main house catchment system.

The barn now has a roof and gutters, and has caught some rain.

With a little over 10" of rain this year, all our tanks are overflowing.

The rains have started. We have had rain every day of July, and we are loving it.

In the event that it might actually rain this year, we have been doing some work on our water system, including a self-cleaning overflow.

Catching rain water from your roof is the most accessible source of water off-grid. Everyone gets at least a little rain, and if you size your roof and storage to match your annual rainfall, you need never go without water.