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Water storage in a cold climate

pollinator

Posts: 124

Location: Northern Midwest, USA

posted 3 years ago

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Hi there. I wanted to ask a question/have a discussion about water storage in a cold climate. I am located in the northern midwest USA. It freezes here. I can collect and store rainwater in plastic tanks in warmer months, but not in fall winter when it cools off. However, I live in a home built in the 1930s that had a cistern built in the basement. So this tells me that people in the past had stored rainwater. My question is, is it possible to dig down and build a cistern here to store rainwater year round?? I have enclosed photos of the cistern. Someone in the past had opened up the area to build a store room/workroom in that space. We use it as a small workshop. The walls are about 2 feet thick. The other picture is of the other side where the spout is.

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Old cistern in basement, one side opened for storage room

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04E85504-151D-4B6D-8E91-5C0CF2645880.jpeg

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4146

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

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posted 3 years ago

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It depends.

You can’t dig straight down near an outer wall below the footing. You probably can dig a sunken floor well within the outer wall so it doesn’t disturb the footings. But you need professional

You can buy or build tanks that will fit the space. That is probably the way I would do it. IBC totes are hard to beat for gallons per dollar. But they don’t fit through regular doors very well. Diysolar.com had plans to build one out of 2x lumber, plywood, and pond liner. They built one in a crawl space so you can squeeze them about anywhere

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Mari Henry

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Posts: 124

Location: Northern Midwest, USA

posted 3 years ago

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Hi. I wasn't planning on putting a cistern next to my house. I wanted to show the pics to show that people in the past did collect rain water this way. I am wondering if it is possible to dig a pit for rain catchment in my climate without it being frozen. Not sure how those totes you mentioned would work underground. thanks.

John C Daley

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Location: Bendigo , Australia

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posted 3 years ago

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Anything is possible, its just a matter of time or money.
I need more details to give a clear answer but in short;
- underground tanks normally do not freeze
- I have been suggesting tanks be installed in basements in new builds where the freeze zone is deep.
- a surface tank will work if precautions are made about the pipe outlets to prevent freezing, a small jacket heater etc or fabulous insulation
- tanks are made today with bolted galvanised panels that can be carried through doors
- bladder tanks may work for you.

John Daley Bendigo, Australia The Enemy of progress is the hope of a perfect plan
Benefits of rainfall collection https://permies.com/t/88043/benefits-rainfall-collection
GOOD DEBT/ BAD DEBT https://permies.com/t/179218/mortgages-good-debt-bad-debt

R Scott

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Location: Kansas Zone 6a

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posted 3 years ago

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I thought you wanted it in your basement. If you want a new cistern in your yard, yeah that is easy and it shouldn’t freeze if it’s deep enough. Concrete or plastic.

Mari Henry

pollinator

Posts: 124

Location: Northern Midwest, USA

posted 3 years ago

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Thanks. No room for either in this place lol. Just curious about the freezing part. Putting a tank in this basement is a good idea though. But like you said, it would be hard to get it in there.

R Scott wrote:I thought you wanted it in your basement. If you want a new cistern in your yard, yeah that is easy and it shouldn’t freeze if it’s deep enough. Concrete or plastic.

John C Daley

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Location: Bendigo , Australia

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posted 3 years ago

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I have seen those basements dug out by hand.
Yes its hard, but effective.

Marc Dube

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Posts: 255

Location: Saskatchewan

posted 3 years ago

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There are fiberglass tanks that come in multiple sizes that bolt together to add height. I have one in my basement that is three sections about 5 foot across and 28 inches high each. I have seen smaller ones in the same style.

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