Off the Grid Living: It's all about Water
Let's face it. The world is made of 71% water. Therefore as human beings we need water, and we consume a lot of it.
Most people who live off the grid are homesteaders. These people that grow their own food, raise their own animals, and do this without public services. They are self sustainable and need water to be sustaining. For lack of terminology, I am going to present this article to you as how a homesteader would look at water consumption. So weather a Homesteader owns property with Gardens, domestic animals, or livestock on a farm there is a very big difference in the size and ratio of consumption.
Domestic homesteaders generally grow gardens and eat their own food. They may (if living outside of the city limits or sometimes if a town permits) have a few chickens 4 to 6. They Also may have domestic pets such as a cat or dog. In this case a lot of these type of homesteaders use a "rainwater collection system". This system is generally set up on the side of a house from the roof down going through a filter into a collection barrel. Rain gutters are often used in this process to deliver the water into the filter that goes into the system. The system is been ran into the house or it can be used. Many homesteaders use more than one roof to apply this to. They also can use their garage their shed, their and barns. A chicken coop roof can have a runoff to water chickens. Different areas such as trees and poles can be used to collect water to feed their gardens.
In a drier climate, a Homesteader may choose to haul water. A water tank can be easily set up outside of a home where water lines are connected. A Homesteader may choose delivery service (which brings purified water to the system), or haul tanks to location to fill. The size of the tank depends upon usage. A water tank and system is fairly inexpensive.
Land with a natural water source is good when a Homesteader has grazing animals. Livestock need a lot of water. In order to use this kind of water (such a creeks, stream, springs,) there should always be a natural flow. Water that is still, become stagnated which can make your livestock sick. Whether it is Flowing or standing, a human being should never drink straight from this type of water. You should always purify all drinking water that humans consume. Human consumption is not just drinking or cooking, but also consists of bathing due to water soaking into your pores. Water that is used on the property should always be tested every 6 months to a year for bacteria such as E coli, salmonella, and botulism. Remember microorganisms live in water weather stagnate or flowing, and can be harmful and life-threatening to humans.
A well is another source of water to have on a homestead. It does not matter if a homesteader has livestock or if they want water just for their own household use. A well can be a good thing to have, but it can be costly depending on the depth of how far and how hard it is to drill. Most professional well-digging start at around $3,000. A survey should be done of the area before digging a well. Other important factors when digging a well, is to have a study done of the rocks and minerals on the surface. This way an Alkali well will not be dug in place of a freshwater well. Asking Neighbors near the property questions about their wells, would be very helpful. Questions about depth, soil, alkali, and problems that may have occurred during their well-digging experience would be pertinent to you. Also find out if the area in which you live has to have a permit for the well. The company digging your well may be able to help with that. Some Homesteaders choose to dig their own well. Permits, surveys, and inquiries still apply. Remember a well can experience the same bacterias as surface water. You should have your well checked before using, and yearly there after.
Whichever water source you use as a new Homesteader or off the Gridders, remember to budget your cost, stay within Government guidelines, and stay safe from bacteria.
-Annie Tomsik
Most people who live off the grid are homesteaders. These people that grow their own food, raise their own animals, and do this without public services. They are self sustainable and need water to be sustaining. For lack of terminology, I am going to present this article to you as how a homesteader would look at water consumption. So weather a Homesteader owns property with Gardens, domestic animals, or livestock on a farm there is a very big difference in the size and ratio of consumption.
Domestic homesteaders generally grow gardens and eat their own food. They may (if living outside of the city limits or sometimes if a town permits) have a few chickens 4 to 6. They Also may have domestic pets such as a cat or dog. In this case a lot of these type of homesteaders use a "rainwater collection system". This system is generally set up on the side of a house from the roof down going through a filter into a collection barrel. Rain gutters are often used in this process to deliver the water into the filter that goes into the system. The system is been ran into the house or it can be used. Many homesteaders use more than one roof to apply this to. They also can use their garage their shed, their and barns. A chicken coop roof can have a runoff to water chickens. Different areas such as trees and poles can be used to collect water to feed their gardens.
In a drier climate, a Homesteader may choose to haul water. A water tank can be easily set up outside of a home where water lines are connected. A Homesteader may choose delivery service (which brings purified water to the system), or haul tanks to location to fill. The size of the tank depends upon usage. A water tank and system is fairly inexpensive.
Land with a natural water source is good when a Homesteader has grazing animals. Livestock need a lot of water. In order to use this kind of water (such a creeks, stream, springs,) there should always be a natural flow. Water that is still, become stagnated which can make your livestock sick. Whether it is Flowing or standing, a human being should never drink straight from this type of water. You should always purify all drinking water that humans consume. Human consumption is not just drinking or cooking, but also consists of bathing due to water soaking into your pores. Water that is used on the property should always be tested every 6 months to a year for bacteria such as E coli, salmonella, and botulism. Remember microorganisms live in water weather stagnate or flowing, and can be harmful and life-threatening to humans.
A well is another source of water to have on a homestead. It does not matter if a homesteader has livestock or if they want water just for their own household use. A well can be a good thing to have, but it can be costly depending on the depth of how far and how hard it is to drill. Most professional well-digging start at around $3,000. A survey should be done of the area before digging a well. Other important factors when digging a well, is to have a study done of the rocks and minerals on the surface. This way an Alkali well will not be dug in place of a freshwater well. Asking Neighbors near the property questions about their wells, would be very helpful. Questions about depth, soil, alkali, and problems that may have occurred during their well-digging experience would be pertinent to you. Also find out if the area in which you live has to have a permit for the well. The company digging your well may be able to help with that. Some Homesteaders choose to dig their own well. Permits, surveys, and inquiries still apply. Remember a well can experience the same bacterias as surface water. You should have your well checked before using, and yearly there after.
Whichever water source you use as a new Homesteader or off the Gridders, remember to budget your cost, stay within Government guidelines, and stay safe from bacteria.
-Annie Tomsik
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