EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Harvested rainwater for non potable use in the home

Ryland · 09-28-09, 10:43 AM

I would go with a pump with a pressure switch on it in the rain water tank, a pressure tank after that to maintain head so the pump is not kicking on and off in 3 second bursts and a check valve to stop back flow, city water would have the same kind of check valve, these two water sources would connect to a tee that connects to your non potable water supply for the house, it would be a good idea to have a pressure regulator/reducer on the city water to keep it under say 40psi, have the pump pressure switch set at 50-60psi and your rain water storage tank has a water sensor like wet basement alarms have to turn the pump on when there is water, turn it off when there is non, otherwise a float valve would work as well.
all off the shelf parts, no risk of back flow (check valves) it would only need one storage tank and a small pressure tank, should work for 20+ years without an issue.

09-28-09, 10:43 AM	#28
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	I would go with a pump with a pressure switch on it in the rain water tank, a pressure tank after that to maintain head so the pump is not kicking on and off in 3 second bursts and a check valve to stop back flow, city water would have the same kind of check valve, these two water sources would connect to a tee that connects to your non potable water supply for the house, it would be a good idea to have a pressure regulator/reducer on the city water to keep it under say 40psi, have the pump pressure switch set at 50-60psi and your rain water storage tank has a water sensor like wet basement alarms have to turn the pump on when there is water, turn it off when there is non, otherwise a float valve would work as well. all off the shelf parts, no risk of back flow (check valves) it would only need one storage tank and a small pressure tank, should work for 20+ years without an issue.