When you hear “off-grid living,” you might imagine waking up in a cabin full of fresh air and morning light. You light a fire to cook yourself a breakfast of freshly collected eggs from your backyard chicken coop, enjoying a cup of pour-over coffee as you wait.
This lifestyle – often called homesteading – is characterized by self-sufficiency and independence from modern utility systems and power grids.
Off-grid homes appeal to many – but the lifestyle isn’t for everyone. It involves generating your own supply of light, power, and drinking water.
Water is arguably the most essential feature of off-grid living, so we’ve compiled this guide to get you started.
We’ll discuss:
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Before jumping into off-grid water systems, you must understand how public water systems operate. Off-grid systems will typically mimic public systems in some fashion.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information describes the three essential components of a modern public water system:
Water SourceWhere potable water ultimately comes from.An off-grid water system is a potable water supply that’s not connected to an electrical grid or municipal water system.
True off-grid water systems are entirely independent of the water sources, filtration plants, and distribution pipes that supply water to on-grid households. This means you’ll need to provide your own water for drinking, cooking, bathing, watering the garden, and using the restroom.
Like municipal systems, off-grid systems require a water source, treatment method, distribution system, and wastewater disposal system.
Without these parts, your system could fail due to insufficient supply or contamination.
So, while a remote cabin may seem like the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern life, you’ll still need a reliable water system for sustainable living.
The following sections will go over different options for sourcing, treating, transporting, and storing your off-grid water.
Determining a source of water for your off-grid home is the first step in creating a reliable water system.
We’ll look at some standard options for sourcing water for your off-grid property. While reading, think about ways you could incorporate one or more of these methods into your water system.
A spring forms when pressure forces groundwater above the earth’s surface.
If you’re still shopping for a homestead location, you’ll ideally purchase land with access to a year-round spring. They can be reliable sources of drinking water for off-grid homes.
Before selecting a spring for your off-grid water source, you must ensure the spring’s flow rate is even throughout the year.
Fluctuations in a spring’s flow could be a sign of low water supply or a threat of contamination. The PennState Extension recommends monitoring a spring’s flow rate through the late summer and fall before developing it into a water system.
Groundwater levels are typically lowest during these seasons, so you’ll get an idea of the spring’s fluctuation throughout the year.
A well is a human-made hole that reaches into the ground and accesses aquifer water.
Shallow wells are the most common water sources for off-grid systems. The Groundwater Foundation states that over 42 million U.S. citizens use private wells to supply water to their families.
Shallow wells are typically bored into an unconfined water source less than 100 feet below ground level. Once the hole has been dug into the source of underground freshwater, a pipe and well pump pull it to the surface.
You’ll ideally build your off-grid home after establishing your well to ensure it gets the best location for aquifer access.
Some off-grid homeowners opt for a water catchment system instead of pulling from the ground.
Rainwater harvesting systems are excellent ways to collect water – especially if your off-grid home isn’t near a spring or aquifer.
When planning a rainwater collection system, your primary consideration should be whether your location gets enough rain to meet your water needs.
A general rule of thumb is that every square foot of catchment area – such as the top of a roof – collects .62 gallons of water per inch of rainfall. Measure your roof’s area and compare it with average rainfall trends to determine how much water you might collect.
Along with a catchment area, rainwater harvesting systems also include the following parts:
You’ll need to develop a way to store water once you have a source for your off-grid system.
When you first start, it’s a good idea to stock up on drinking water to keep in your off-grid home. We recommend filling recycled milk jugs or containers with fresh water and keeping it on hand for drinking, cooking, and emergency use.
However, as you develop your off-grid water system further, you’ll need a long-term solution for safely storing your water.
Next, we’ll discuss several water storage tank options and how to incorporate them into your off-grid home.
A rain barrel is a collection container that holds 50 to 200 gallons of water. They’re excellent storage containers for small outdoor spaces. You can connect or “daisy chain” multiple rain barrels to create more storage space.
You’ll undoubtedly save money collecting water, and you can even more by installing your own rain barrels. If you are considering installing your own, you may want to look into solar-powered rain barrel pumps.
This video from the Utah State University Extension explains how to build a DIY rain barrel:
The Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association recommends the following rain barrel capacities based on the surface area of your catchment space:
Surface Area (In Square Feet)Minimum Number of 55-Gallon Rain BarrelsUp to 7501-2750-1,2502-31,250-1,7503-41,750-2,2504-5If rain barrels aren’t providing sufficient storage for the amount of water you’re collecting, you may want to invest in a cistern.
A cistern is a large rain barrel. These containers are made of food-grade materials and can hold thousands of gallons of water.
They’re the best storage option for long-term off-grid water supplies.
Cisterns are installed above ground and often utilized in gravity-fed water systems. Other cisterns sit below ground to store water out of sight and save usable property space.
According to the Chesapeake Bay Trust, water collected directly into a cistern from a catchment system isn’t potable because it might contain debris or pollutants.
However, you can filtrate off-grid water to ensure it’s drinkable.
The following section will discuss different methods of off-grid water filtration.
Before taking that first sip of well water, ensure your water has been filtered or purified.
Filtration systems remove sediments and contaminants to produce clearer, better-tasting water.
On the other hand, purification systems remove sediments, pathogens, and minerals.
Installing a water purification system for your water supply is the best way to keep your water drinkable.
You’ll generally need to follow these basic steps when purifying your water:
Some water filters, such as this one from Berkey, remove metals and toxins from water while functioning entirely off-grid. They operate as water dispensers, negating the need for a pump or water pressurize.
You’ll need some power to provide your off-grid home with running water.
Some homeowners opt for manual pumping, which involves cranking a pump arm to pull water up from a well.
However, you can take a different approach for more convenient access to running water. We recommend installing a water pump or gravity-fed pipeline in your off-grid water system.
An electric pump is a solid option for homesteaders seeking good water pressure.
Electric pumps use energy to draw water from a water source or storage tank. These devices are often paired with a pressurized tank to get the water flowing.
Electric pumps require an energy source to work, which may be a pain for someone living off-grid. We suggest a solar-powered pump for accessible, continuous energy that keeps your water pressure high.
Solar power is becoming an increasingly popular method of power generation. Luckily for off-grid homesteaders, it’s also useful for pumping water.
Solar-powered water pumping is when solar panels transform energy from the sun into electricity to power a pump. The panels collect light units that produce an electrical current to energize the pump’s motor.
Solar-powered pumps help pull water out of wells, divert water to an elevated storage tank, and transfer running water into an off-grid home.
Healing Waters International lists the following benefits of solar-powered pumps:
Read more on solar: Solar Energy Statistics & Facts
A gravity-fed system relies on a storage container sitting higher than your home. The water will naturally flow through the distribution pipe without pressurized air or power.
Gravity-fed water systems do best with a constant downhill slope.
It’s acceptable to make bends in the pipeline as necessary. However, the bends may need support against the constant downward water flow.
If the intake area or storage container is much higher than the system’s endpoint, consider installing a break pressure tank along the pipeline. This will slow the flow rate through the system – thus, lessening the risk of damage to the pipes.
Water has to go somewhere after you use it.
Municipal water systems connect to sewer systems that lead to wastewater treatment facilities. The facilities treat the wastewater for pollutants before moving back into local waterways.
Off-grid systems don’t connect to city sewer systems, so the water has nowhere to go if you don’t install a disposal system. Without proper disposal, the dirty water could leach back into the environment, causing severe harm.
Don’t sweat it – there are several ways to dispose of wastewater off-grid to keep the environment safe while keeping a clean home. We’ll discuss a couple of these off-grid water disposal options next.
Greywater is wastewater produced by showers, tubs, sinks, and washing machines. It’s less harmful than sewage water and needs less treatment before moving back into the natural water supply.
Some off-gridders reuse the water for gardening or to flush their toilets.
One method of disposal is to install a greywater recycling system.
This system will pump used water back into the ground to water plants and trees. Remember to check local regulations before using one of these systems.
You’ll also need to use biodegradable cleaning products and toiletries to improve the safety and sustainability of the system.
Blackwater is the wastewater produced by toilets. It needs careful treatment during and after disposal.
Options for blackwater disposal include:
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Now that you understand how off-grid water systems work, you’re ready to start your homesteading journey.
Remember that off-grid water systems use many of the same mechanisms as municipal systems – just on a smaller scale. No matter where you wander, you’ll still need a way to source, transport, purify, and dispose of your water.
With a fully operational water supply system, your off-grid house will undoubtedly start to feel like home.
In cold climates, commercial and residential outdoor water tanks need tank insulation to protect against freezing, which can damage the tank and plumbing, and compromise the safety of the water supply. Other methods for protecting outdoor water tanks from freezing include submersible electric water heaters, electric heating blankets, and external heating systems. However, thermal insulation does not require energy or maintenance after installation, and provides a cost-effective way to protect an outdoor water tank from cold temperatures.
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Why Apply Storage Tank Insulation?
Applying insulation to an outdoor water storage tank will ensure a year-round steady water supply for drinking, cleaning, and many other uses. In addition, water delivery can be streamlined for many commercial applications, including commercial food and beverage preparation, agricultural and irrigation, fire suppression, and industrial manufacturing. Many families find home water tanks very useful. Long-term water storage saves money on water bills, maintains the family’s standard of living during water restrictions, contributes to conserving natural resources, and provides water for irrigating a home garden.
Protecting Outdoor Water Tanks from Extreme Temperatures
Extreme cold temperatures compromise the integrity of water storage tanks and plumbing because water expands as it freezes. If the water tank freezes, it can take a long time to thaw, particularly in winter. Therefore, you must winterize the tank before the first frost, with outdoor tank insulation, or submersible electric water heater, electric heating blankets, or an external heating system in order to keep your winter water supply safe.
Outdoor Water Tank Insulation
Wrapping a water tank with insulation will significantly limit the risk of freezing; however, the amount and type of insulation that should be used depends on the climate. Colder temperatures require more protective and robust insulation. In addition, you should insulate any pipes running to or from the tank since these will freeze much faster than the water tank.
The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC C403.12.3) mandates insulation for piping associated with cooling and heating that carries fluid with an operating temperature of 105 °F or more, or 60 °F or less. Furthermore, you must protect the insulated water tank and piping from exposure to moisture, sunlight, and wind, in order to prevent damaging the insulation’s effectiveness.
Polyguard has all the products you need to protect and insulate your outdoor water storage tank and piping: ReactiveGel RG-2400®, PolyPhen® Phenolic Insulation, and Alumaguard®.
ReactiveGel RG-2400 stops corrosion under the insulation (CUI) for metal outdoor water tanks.
ReactiveGel RG-2400 (Blue Goo) applies to a clean, rust and debris-free water tank and piping until you no longer see the metal. For large tanks, you can directly spray the RG-2400. For large pipes, polyguard also recommends installing our mesh fabric before applying the insulation and vapor barrier.
Polyguard RG-2400 offers a series of products to stop CUI for water tanks, meeting the specific needs of your commercial or residential metal outdoor water tank:
RG-2400 LT
– for systems up to 250º F (121º C).
RG-2400 ET
– for 350° F (177° C) operating temperatures, crucial for steam lines with temperature cycles ranging from ambient to hot.
RG-2400 AK
– stops stainless steel and copper stress crack CUI, used on in-service HOT Line applications up to 250º F (121º C).
RG-2400 NP
– anti-corrosion gel is applied to new piping systems up to 230º F.
RG-CHW
– offers a solution for CUI on chilled water systems with 40º F – 140º F temperature ranges.
PolyPhen Phenolic Insulation prevents heat loss to your outdoor water tank.
PolyPhen® Phenolic insulation installs over the RG-2400, to efficiently stop the flow of heat and vapor to and from the water tank and pipes. Computerized cutting-technology by specialist fabricators improves the insulation system’s value by providing a consistent tight-fit.
Eco-friendly, flame-resistant, closed-cell Polyguard PolyPhen® offers a range of rigid foam insulation densities designed for commercial, industrial, and residential applications like water tanks and piping. With thermal conductivities between 0.17 – 0.24 Btu in/(hr ft2), you can apply PolyPhen® closed-cell insulation to insulate surfaces in the temperature range of -290° F to +250° F (-180° C to +120° C). The insulation thickness varies depending on the water tank and piping temperature.
Why Choose Phenolic Insulation?
Phenolic materials are a reaction from mixing phenolic resin mix solids and a surface-acting agent to create a network of bubbles that is cured into a closed-cell foam, to enhance its thermal and moisture resistance over open-cell foam.
Phenolic insulation’s low thermal conductivity gives it double the insulating capabilities of other insulating products like fibrous glass (open cell), cellular glass (partially closed cell), and elastomeric (closed cell).
The high R-value and low thermal conductivity save money because it needs less insulation to maintain the same performance as other materials.
Furthermore, fire-resistant phenolic insulation achieves an ASTM E84 25/50 Class A flame and smoke rating. In addition, many phenolic foams do not burn at all when exposed to an E84 flame test, yielding a perfect 0/0 rating.
Environmentally-friendly phenolic insulation produces low levels of toxic gas emissions. Old insulation can also be remanufactured into a new product.
Alumaguard and Alumaguard Cool Wrap controls moisture infiltration
Flexible, energy-saving Polyguard’s zero perms Alumaguard® weather-proofing cladding stops damaging air, moisture, and vapor intrusions to water tanks and piping insulation.
Submersible Electric Water Heater
A submersible electric water heater can prevent your tanks from freezing by delivering a current from a heating element to a conductive substance, like steel, which heats the water, and prevents ice formation. Extremely cold areas may require a combination of submerged heaters and insulation.
Electric Heating Blankets Wrap
Electric heating blankets wrap around the tank like a jacket, and generate heat from an electrical source, to provide temperature controls in response to weather conditions. Electric heating blankets cost more and require additional upkeep than insulation material but provide an effective way to prevent your tank from freezing.
Exterior Heating Systems for Large Tanks
Large water tanks at high risk of freezing may require heating systems on the tank’s exterior. These costly, complicated, and large systems use a lot of energy but are necessary for extreme situations.
Tips for Minimizing the Risk of Freezing
Besides the use of insulation and electric heating systems, you can minimize the risk of your tank freezing by following these helpful tips;
Purchase a large tank since it will freeze slower than a smaller tank.
Select a round tank since a smaller surface size insulates more effectively than a similar square or rectangular tank.
Inspect and repair all cracks and leaks in the tank and network of pipes since the defects will increase heat loss and quicken the freezing process.
Place the tank underground for more stable and consistent temperatures.
Choose cheaper plastic tanks because they can withstand the force of expansion due to freezing better than a metal tank.
Keep the water running with a plumbing system or pressurized water line, anything to keep the water moving.
Insulating an Outdoor Water Tank with Polyguard Products
Polyguard products provide a superior solution to insulating and protecting your outdoor water tank against freezing, to ensure a constant and safe water supply. PolyPhen® Phenolic Insulation, combined with ReactiveGel RG-2400®, and Alumaguard® will guarantee your outdoor water tank’s long-term integrity and performance, and protect against freezing conditions, corrosion, and vapor and air intrusion.
For more on how to insulate an outdoor water tank, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Polyguard today.