Water usage is a topic of concern for most people in the Western United States. Good water can be scarce at times, so most people in our area are very conscience about how they use water. Your water usage will depend on how many animals, plants, and humans your supply must feed. Regardless of how much you use, you still need key components to deliver that water to those animals, plants, and even humans in a safe and clean manner.

Most household uses such as water for bathing, washing clothes, and dishes can be filtered less than drinking water. Drinking water should be filtered according to your source. Rainwater has very little mineral content compared to that of well water, but it usually has more life forms, so your filtration system can change depending on what you want to filter.

Many books have been written on the subject of water filtration, and we will not assume to know everything on this subject. From what we do know, however, there are a few things to keep in mind. Filtering minerals and chemicals out of water is very different from filtering live organisms. Most minerals in a rainwater system can be filtered using sand or mesh-type filters.

Organisms can be a little more difficult. You will have to make the conditions of the water so that organisms can’t grow in them without damaging the water so you can’t use it. Never pour chemical into your water supply. Sure, bleach will kill anything, including you. Reverse Osmosis filters, charcoal filters, and even UV filters can be used to filter water for human consumption. Because these filters are costly, and your drinking water depends on them, use them sparingly. Do not install a drinking water filter on the same line as your bathtub. You’ll quickly wear out the filter. Instead, install the filter close to a special faucet for drinking.

Water should be pressurized to properly deliver the water through the filter to the appliances and faucets that need them. A 12-volt pump and a pressure tank can easily provide enough pressure for your home. Size your pressure tank so that it has enough water for your largest appliance; say the washing machine or a bathtub. 30-60 gallons should be adequate. The pressure tank stores your system pressure, and saves the life of your pump. The pump should have a pressure switch, so when it fills up the pressure tank, it switches the pump off. An elevated storage tank has better water security than an on-demand pump, but you will need at least 50 feet of elevation difference between the appliance and the tank for decent pressure.

Plumbing should meet your local requirements, but we have found that flexible black poly (HDPE) works great and is easy for the beginner to use. You should make all your connections tight and securely fastened. Do not use PVC for drinking water supplies. There is a great amount of evidence that shows that PVC can be a source of carcinogens, especially if it is exposed to UV. So, just avoid it. HDPE is better, cheaper, and easier to use.

Once you get the water into the house, you will want to heat some water for bathing and cleaning. Water heaters come in all shapes, sizes, and fuels. If you are producing your own electricity, you can afford to use the extra dump loads for heating water in a traditional water tank setup. On-demand style heaters are good for sinks and homes with a propane hookup. If you live in the south, a solar water heating system can save on your energy needs. The water is heated by the sun with little or no energy usage what-so-ever. Compost water heaters are somewhat of a new concept, but basically, you are using the heat given off by the bacteria in your aerobic compost pile. The great thing about this method is that it is 24 hours a day. The bad thing is that you have to either make a HUGE pile, or make an insulated box to make the most out of the compost.