Water storage

[Shadow01]

Anyone have a good source for water storage for general gardening? Looking to store about 100 gallons with collection from a new gutter I will place on a 12x16 shed. May want to stack so that might take some options off the table for container choices. Everything I have found you can’t verify the previous contents of the container and that is a non starter.

 

[spfldbowhunter]

If it’s just for gardening wouldn’t a 55 gallon drum work? I see the plastic ones all the time on FB Marketplace.

 

[blain]

Is the roof metal or covered in shingles?

 

[Cavman]

I used a big ibc tote. Bought a water hose adapter with and and runnsoaker hoses around my tomatoes Works really well

 

[d.kaufman]

I use the plastic food grade barrels. Picked then up off Craigslist years ago. They contained peaches originally. They are 35 gallon size

I have 3 tied in series at the house and 1 on each side of the greenhouse

 

[BJHay]

An IBC that is clean, dry and odor free wouldn't bother me for non-potable water. If you're looking at the used market you'll need to find one that was in food-grade service. They seem to be harder to find in this area.

For general service, cleaning certificates usually only show the last contained material prior to the most recent wash. You might find the rare certificate that shows the last three prior products. Regardless, unless the seller did the cleaning at a licensed tank wash they may not have a cleaning cert at all. Even if they claim the tank was in dedicated service it might be tough to confirm that.

 

[KittySlayer]

Might look here. Their inventory goes in and out of stock on a regular basis so you may need to call. Should at least give you a reference point for pricing.

Lexington Container Company

Suppliers of IBC Totes, Fiber Drums, Reconditioned Poly Drums, Steel Drums, Wholesale Whiskey Barrels, Wholesale Whiskey Barrel Staves, Barrel Heads.

www.lexingtoncontainercompany.com

 

[Bugzilla]

Another option depending on your situation. There was a shallow well on our property about 70 feet from the garden. I ran an underground line to the garden with spigots along one side of the garden and continued the underground line to the back yard. Was a small project doing the work (about 10 years ago) but I’m glad I did it. No dragging hoses or worry about water supply. Only upkeep is winterizing the lines as they are only about 30” deep. Have a low point drain valve for draining the water in the fall then blow out the lines and add a little RV antifreeze.

 

[Shadow01]

Is the roof metal or covered in shingles?

Shingled. Its a out 15 years old, but is. In full sun all day with no fungus. I doubt that it will lose much gravel unless from hail.

 

[Shadow01]

I am in town and we have ordinances that stop wells. They use the excuse they don’t have the people to police non-potable use so they just ban them outright.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

I scored a 535-gallon poly tank at about half it's retail price, since it was a discontinued item at a Rural King. I also have a 250-gallon fiberglass tank and several plastic 55-gallon drums. I collect rain water off of my shingle roof, and have for many years. Garden plants love the rain water.

I had well water originally, and when we got city water some years ago, I kept my well, so I have basically three water sources.

 

[Lj429]

These are some great ideas, I’ve also been thinking about water storage and rain collection and even possibly adding a shallow well.

 

[Shadow01]

Great suggestions. Thanks to everyone that responded.

 

[Bill2905]

I too am interested in storing rainwater for my small garden. Has anyone here had any experience with one of these folding rain barrels?

 

[DadSmith]

Build a cistern in the ground.
Pour 8" reinforced concrete floors, walls, and top. 10' L x10' W 10' H will give you a lot of water and it will stay good for a very long time.

 

[smokingman]

Build a cistern in the ground.
Pour 8" reinforced concrete floors, walls, and top. 10' L x10' W 10' H will give you a lot of water and it will stay good for a very long time.

I have a deep well, and a cistern with a hand pump or lower drain pipe is an idea going around in my head. Currently when the power goes out my well needs a generator and I would like water without it or the need to filter surface water.

 

[DadSmith]

I have a deep well, and a cistern with a hand pump or lower drain pipe is an idea going around in my head. Currently when the power goes out my well needs a generator and I would like water without it or the need to filter surface water.

When no power I just drop a 2.5 gallon bucket into the cistern and draw out what I need to cook, flush, wash with.

 

[Bugzilla]

Build a cistern in the ground.
Pour 8" reinforced concrete floors, walls, and top. 10' L x10' W 10' H will give you a lot of water and it will stay good for a very long time.

If you’re doing this, make it a little bigger and you’ll have your underground WSHTF bunker.