We all need water!

Electricity is optional. Water, on the other hand, is not!

If you plan to be (or are) completely off the grid, then you absolutely need a reliable water source. And that water needs to be drinkable, or at least be able to be processed so that it becomes drinkable.

The most popular way to collect and store water in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where we've lived, is to collect rain water from corrugated (metal) roofs and store the rainwater in large water tanks. Some are made of metal, and more popular now are the plastic tanks.

When it rains here, it pours!

Not all places allow the use of such large, above ground “ugly” tanks, so one option is to put them underground (or mostly underground). Water bladders, or water pillows, are another, more obscure option for storing rain water. These can go under decks or fit in crawl spaces quite nicely, although require a very level surface.

Collecting rainwater is a great use of your natural surroundings. The water can be used for washing clothes, dishes, etc. and bathing. But, you will need to be careful drinking it. About once per year we use regular household bleach to purify our water. The ratio of water to bleach is about 50 gallons (190 liters) water to 1/8 cup bleach. So, if our 2,400 gallon (9,000 liter) tank is full, we put 6 cups of chlorine bleach in our tank. (The bleach here is 5-6% chlorine. If your brand of bleach is stronger, then use less.) This method is for “shocking” the tank, and at such a ratio is safe for drinking if you wait for about an hour after shocking.

Another way to purify water for drinking is to boil it for a few minutes. We find this to be a waste of fuel and time. Another great option are the numerous water filtration systems available now, which do not involve the use of chemicals. A filter can be installed in your sink in the house, or you could use a more portable filter if you like to hike a lot – or both. Keep in mind, the actual filter needs to be changed at regular intervals depending on the type, so make sure you have extras.

Collecting rainwater is not the only option for supplying your home with potable water, of course. Water wells are also a good option, assuming the water table on your property is not too far down. Or, if you have a stream on your property, or better yet a natural spring, you can utilize these to provide water for your home.

All these options will need some kind of pump if you want the water plumbed to and throughout your house. The only way you would be able to avoid needing a pump is if your water source is above all your faucets. We have had a 1,000 gallon (~3800 liter) tank on a platform and this works if your roof is high enough to catch water and still allow for gravity feed. In this scenario, water pressure isn’t strong, but there is pressure. We’ll discuss more about pumps at a later time.

Do let us know if you have any questions or thoughts on this post. And we’d love to hear how you collect and supply your home with water.