Harvesting Rainwater for your Homestead in 9 Days or Less by Renee Dang

Jules Silverlock wrote:

This is a wonderful idea also for these areas where groundwater is polluted. If possible, I would love to have the same expert advice in setting up a system of cistern[s] for colder zones: We freeze in Central WI, so this system would become non operational in winter.

Cécile Stelzer Johnson wrote:

Jules Silverlock wrote:

This is a wonderful idea also for these areas where groundwater is polluted. If possible, I would love to have the same expert advice in setting up a system of cistern[s] for colder zones: We freeze in Central WI, so this system would become non operational in winter.

I detest that I was forced to create an account with PayPal to receive this download. I do not want to have anything to do with PayPal

Hi Cécile, we feel your pain and are looking into PayPal alternatives. It seems that sometimes an option is presented to checkout using PayPal but without having to set up an account but I guess this wasn't an option for you.

Hope you enjoy the ebook!

Jules Silverlock wrote:Hi Cécile, we feel your pain and are looking into PayPal alternatives. It seems that sometimes an option is presented to checkout using PayPal but without having to set up an account but I guess this wasn't an option for you.
Hope you enjoy the ebook!

Thanks, I will. I don't understand why my credit card or my debit card could not used but the site just didn't give me the option. I had one debit card hacked through PayPal. It stands to reason that the more entities can get my credit card number/ expiration date and special number the greater the chance that it will be hacked again. This really bothers me.

Hi Cécile,

Author Renee Dang here. Your request has been duly noted! Thank you for that suggestion.

I have received several requests from others in colder climates looking to build these systems either underground or heated. I plan to make this the 3rd book in the series very likely (the 2nd one being about rainwater treatment and purification), but in the meantime, please check out the amazing "Essential Rainwater Harvesting" by Michelle and Rob Avis.

They live in Canada and their book goes through the details for the design details of a system that can withstand freezing temperatures. The only downside of the book may be that there aren't as many details to build a cold-weather rainwater system on a DIY basis, and the book is rather technical, but it is a great starting place nonetheless. They really know what they're talking about.

Renee Puvvada wrote:Hi Cécile,
Author Renee Dang here. Your request has been duly noted! Thank you for that suggestion.
I have received several requests from others in colder climates looking to build these systems either underground or heated. I plan to make this the 3rd book in the series very likely (the 2nd one being about rainwater treatment and purification), but in the meantime, please check out the amazing "Essential Rainwater Harvesting" by Michelle and Rob Avis.
They live in Canada and their book goes through the details for the design details of a system that can withstand freezing temperatures. The only downside of the book may be that there aren't as many details to build a cold-weather rainwater system on a DIY basis, and the book is rather technical, but it is a great starting place nonetheless. They really know what they're talking about.

Thanks, Renee Yes, I'm aware that building a system underground in zone 4b WI [soon to be zone 5] means that I must consider how deep the frost can reach here [Between 60-70"], and since I am in sand, I must also contend with caving in from the sides, so a cistern would have to be built very sturdy. I am looking to bury septic tanks that would be connecting amongst themselves near the bottom. I like the idea of buried concrete tanks because:
1/ being buried is the intended purpose of a concrete septic tank, so it is made to sustain the sideways forces of the ground.
2/ it is built with an access hatch so a person can enter it to apply some waterproofing layer that will also keep the water drinkable. [I'm researching what is the best waterproofing system and should it be applied to the outside of the tank before it is sunk in the ground?]
3/ I'm hoping that by sinking several tanks side by side, that will also reinforce against the ground pressure from the sides.
4/ The whole system can be buried to respect the frost line requirements.
I'm looking forward to your next bock, and thank you for responding.

Cécile Stelzer Johnson wrote:

Renee Puvvada wrote:Hi Cécile,
Author Renee Dang here. Your request has been duly noted! Thank you for that suggestion.
I have received several requests from others in colder climates looking to build these systems either underground or heated. I plan to make this the 3rd book in the series very likely (the 2nd one being about rainwater treatment and purification), but in the meantime, please check out the amazing "Essential Rainwater Harvesting" by Michelle and Rob Avis.
They live in Canada and their book goes through the details for the design details of a system that can withstand freezing temperatures. The only downside of the book may be that there aren't as many details to build a cold-weather rainwater system on a DIY basis, and the book is rather technical, but it is a great starting place nonetheless. They really know what they're talking about.

Thanks, Renee Yes, I'm aware that building a system underground in zone 4b WI [soon to be zone 5] means that I must consider how deep the frost can reach here [Between 60-70"], and since I am in sand, I must also contend with caving in from the sides, so a cistern would have to be built very sturdy. I am looking to bury septic tanks that would be connecting amongst themselves near the bottom. I like the idea of buried concrete tanks because:
1/ being buried is the intended purpose of a concrete septic tank, so it is made to sustain the sideways forces of the ground.
2/ it is built with an access hatch so a person can enter it to apply some waterproofing layer that will also keep the water drinkable. [I'm researching what is the best waterproofing system and should it be applied to the outside of the tank before it is sunk in the ground?]
3/ I'm hoping that by sinking several tanks side by side, that will also reinforce against the ground pressure from the sides.
4/ The whole system can be buried to respect the frost line requirements.
I'm looking forward to your next bock, and thank you for responding.

You sound like you're well on your way! You seem to have done quite a bit of research... can I ask you, what's keeping you from actualizing the underground system of your dreams? (Time? Money? Too many competing homestead projects?)

Renee Puvvada wrote:

Cécile Stelzer Johnson wrote:

Renee Puvvada wrote:Hi Cécile,
Author Renee Dang here. Your request has been duly noted! Thank you for that suggestion.
I have received several requests from others in colder climates looking to build these systems either underground or heated. I plan to make this the 3rd book in the series very likely (the 2nd one being about rainwater treatment and purification), but in the meantime, please check out the amazing "Essential Rainwater Harvesting" by Michelle and Rob Avis.
They live in Canada and their book goes through the details for the design details of a system that can withstand freezing temperatures. The only downside of the book may be that there aren't as many details to build a cold-weather rainwater system on a DIY basis, and the book is rather technical, but it is a great starting place nonetheless. They really know what they're talking about.

Thanks, Renee Yes, I'm aware that building a system underground in zone 4b WI [soon to be zone 5] means that I must consider how deep the frost can reach here [Between 60-70"], and since I am in sand, I must also contend with caving in from the sides, so a cistern would have to be built very sturdy. I am looking to bury septic tanks that would be connecting amongst themselves near the bottom. I like the idea of buried concrete tanks because:
1/ being buried is the intended purpose of a concrete septic tank, so it is made to sustain the sideways forces of the ground.
2/ it is built with an access hatch so a person can enter it to apply some waterproofing layer that will also keep the water drinkable. [I'm researching what is the best waterproofing system and should it be applied to the outside of the tank before it is sunk in the ground?]
3/ I'm hoping that by sinking several tanks side by side, that will also reinforce against the ground pressure from the sides.
4/ The whole system can be buried to respect the frost line requirements.
I'm looking forward to your next bock, and thank you for responding.

You sound like you're well on your way! You seem to have done quite a bit of research... can I ask you, what's keeping you from actualizing the underground system of your dreams? (Time? Money? Too many competing homestead projects?)

A recalcitrant hubby. If this project happens, it will be because I'm paying for all of it and/ or doing all the physical work.
Although he has a lot of fears that the whole system is going to crash [electric grid] and that there will be wide starvation with "city people" invading the rural areas, he will not help plant the garden or create a cistern or a root cellar or help install solar. It's frustrating!

I hear you Cécile! I wish I could help you with that too (haha)!

Cécile Stelzer Johnson wrote:

Jules Silverlock wrote:Hi Cécile, we feel your pain and are looking into PayPal alternatives. It seems that sometimes an option is presented to checkout using PayPal but without having to set up an account but I guess this wasn't an option for you.
Hope you enjoy the ebook!

Thanks, I will. I don't understand why my credit card or my debit card could not used but the site just didn't give me the option. I had one debit card hacked through PayPal. It stands to reason that the more entities can get my credit card number/ expiration date and special number the greater the chance that it will be hacked again. This really bothers me.

We're all tied up to this money system. Unless we talk about using alternatives such as barter, gifting or another currency, then it will keep feeding the same system that causes the earth so much distress. The buck has to stop with us.

Renee Puvvada wrote:Hi Cécile,

Author Renee Dang here. Your request has been duly noted! Thank you for that suggestion.

I have received several requests from others in colder climates looking to build these systems either underground or heated. I plan to make this the 3rd book in the series very likely (the 2nd one being about rainwater treatment and purification), but in the meantime, please check out the amazing "Essential Rainwater Harvesting" by Michelle and Rob Avis.

They live in Canada and their book goes through the details for the design details of a system that can withstand freezing temperatures. The only downside of the book may be that there aren't as many details to build a cold-weather rainwater system on a DIY basis, and the book is rather technical, but it is a great starting place nonetheless. They really know what they're talking about.

Hi Renee, I’m especially interested in the book on treatment and purification, any thoughts on when that might hit the shelves? My situation is a little trickier, in that the water collected might sit for six months or so before being used, so safety (and lack of growing things) is of keen interest to me. I know the general principle is to run it through sand and charcoal but I feel like I need to know more about the specifics of a practical system. (And designs that I can copy [with info on possible modifications] would be my dream, as it would allow me to buy and preplan everything before expeditions to the remote site.)

Sandra Graham wrote:

Renee Puvvada wrote:Hi Cécile,

Author Renee Dang here. Your request has been duly noted! Thank you for that suggestion.

I have received several requests from others in colder climates looking to build these systems either underground or heated. I plan to make this the 3rd book in the series very likely (the 2nd one being about rainwater treatment and purification), but in the meantime, please check out the amazing "Essential Rainwater Harvesting" by Michelle and Rob Avis.

They live in Canada and their book goes through the details for the design details of a system that can withstand freezing temperatures. The only downside of the book may be that there aren't as many details to build a cold-weather rainwater system on a DIY basis, and the book is rather technical, but it is a great starting place nonetheless. They really know what they're talking about.

Hi Renee, I’m especially interested in the book on treatment and purification, any thoughts on when that might hit the shelves? My situation is a little trickier, in that the water collected might sit for six months or so before being used, so safety (and lack of growing things) is of keen interest to me. I know the general principle is to run it through sand and charcoal but I feel like I need to know more about the specifics of a practical system. (And designs that I can copy [with info on possible modifications] would be my dream, as it would allow me to buy and preplan everything before expeditions to the remote site.)

Hi Sandra,

Thank you for your interest! To answer your question now, for water standing for 6 months, it is rather challenging to keep it 100% yuck-free unless the water is completely covered or treated with a strong antibacterial agent (cough cough chlorine bleach cough cough). I would test that water, by sending it to a lab or buying a water testing kit. Some people hate chlorine. You could use a Berkey to see what it does, but I would still test that water. Otherwise I'd drain the tank, clean it, and start over. Personal preference, and you are free to make your own personal decisions. That's just what I would do.

Thanks for the suggestion on designs. The purification book is less focused on design but more on quick solutions and methods for treating and keeping rainwater clean. This book above does have designs, for IBC totes and cisterns, along with parts lists and shopping guides for in-home filtration systems. Check it out!

The purification book is slated to hit the digital shelves before the end of 2023. For anyone interested in the learning process and updates, as well as putting your suggestions in the hat, join the email list at: https://reneedang.com