Water and Self Sufficiency

Asterix

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Sitting on my arse in front of the TV today waiting for the rain to ease off or stop so I could rush out and hook up to the nearby tap. I started wondering if anyone harvests the water off their MH roof? It seems like a waste having to find a tap when nature is chucking it down on the roof and I'm sure it would be reasonably easy to set up. I'm thinking to glue down some 25x25 ally angle around the roof and directed to a downpipe straight into the tank,maybe with some sort of shut off to direct the initial "contaminated" flow onto the ground.
So,anyone doing it? Thoughts for or against?
 
The roof gathers the worst of the pollution in the air, rain water yes, rain water off the roof no thanks.
 
I think if you look carefully at the green algae on most motorhome roofs you would understand why nobody has done it before, if you were parking for a long time in the rain it might be worth putting a low sterile container to harvest rainwater on the roof but frankly life is too short in my opinion, you would have to move off for other reasons and in 35yrs I have never found it a problem getting water
 
trevskoda said:
what about all the bugs and bird poooooo into the tank to.:scared:
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I'm sure most would sink to the bottom or a filter put in place,but then again most town water supplies are open to the elements and therefore bird poop. I grew up on tank water straight off the house roof,it wasn't filtered in any way and had no adverse affects.
 
phillybarbour said:
The roof gathers the worst of the pollution in the air, rain water yes, rain water off the roof no thanks.
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Yes,that's why I thought the initial flow could be directed to the ground,then after ten minutes switch back to the tank.
 
when away in winter and in a real good storm . after awhile i put out builders tub buckets and collect water then tip it in the tank. other wise i do use it for washing pots ,clothes etc .
at home i collect it in 50gallon tubs and use for toiletr flushing . washing vehicles and other things .
i do have a good water filter in the trailer so rain water isnt a problem . the worst is being by the sea and getting salty water .
have also thought of a guttering system but it would drag all the dust and sand in as well . i do spend time in desert.
 
tezza33 said:
I think if you look carefully at the green algae on most motorhome roofs you would understand why nobody has done it before, if you were parking for a long time in the rain it might be worth putting a low sterile container to harvest rainwater on the roof but frankly life is too short in my opinion, you would have to move off for other reasons and in 35yrs I have never found it a problem getting water
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Is green algae a problem? I'd always assumed it was more like a natural filter?
 
vwalan said:
when away in winter and in a real good storm . after awhile i put out builders tub buckets and collect water then tip it in the tank. other wise i do use it for washing pots ,clothes etc .
at home i collect it in 50gallon tubs and use for toiletr flushing . washing vehicles and other things .
i do have a good water filter in the trailer so rain water isnt a problem . the worst is being by the sea and getting salty water .
have also thought of a guttering system but it would drag all the dust and sand in as well . i do spend time in desert.
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Rainwater is unrivalled when it comes to taste but the seaside would always be a problem.
 
Asterix said:
Is green algae a problem? I'd always assumed it was more like a natural filter?
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Blue/Green Algae in lakes is toxic to humans, I don't know if the one on most roofs is related to be honest but I would rather somebody else tested it, I like your idea for home use because it can be harvested as already said for toilets or other requirements but for the van when we are constantly moving it is not for me, good question and thread though
 
Asterix said:
Rainwater is unrivalled when it comes to taste but the seaside would always be a problem.
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its a toss between sea side or sahara desert at times .
even here its only 8 miles north to the sea and about 8 miles south to the sea . you can see the sea in both directions from just outside my village .
but harvesting rain water . using solar for leccy etc all keeps the bills down . only used 179 quids worth of leccy in 12 months . using rain water down your toilet saves a fortune . i also use it for hot water for showers and baths .
if you dont import fresh water you dont get charged for disposal. so win both ways .
i hate the idea of drinking water going in the toilet or a bath .
having worked in the waste and water industry i often think it would be nice to build a house from scratch using what i learnt .
i,m not a hippy just a tight git . ha ha .
 
tezza33 said:
Blue/Green Algae in lakes is toxic to humans, I don't know if the one on most roofs is related to be honest but I would rather somebody else tested it, I like your idea for home use because it can be harvested as already said for toilets or other requirements but for the van when we are constantly moving it is not for me, good question and thread though
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Since you've mentioned constantly moving,does algae even form on a roof or is it only when parked up over the winter? Can't say I've ever noticed algae on daily runners...
 
British Berkefield HBA MK11 Filter
use one of these . but always keep your van and the roof clean .
the filters on those you want the ultra carb . they have silver inlay and carbon inside a ceramic filter . possibly the ultimate filter system .
 
Why not go the whole hog use the waste tank just recycle through filters then due to little waste you would only need to top up the fresh water say twice a year, ..... perhaps I will patent this idea tomorrow.


Seriously there are are enough ways to obtain fresh water without going to such extremes.

Alf
 
Alf 1 said:
Why not go the whole hog use the waste tank just recycle through filters then due to little waste you would only need to top up the fresh water say twice a year, ..... perhaps I will patent this idea tomorrow.


Seriously there are are enough ways to obtain fresh water without going to such extremes.

Alf
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I know I'm fairly new to the forum but eventually you'll get used to the random thoughts l like to throw out there for discussion😀
 
Alf 1 said:
Why not go the whole hog use the waste tank just recycle through filters then due to little waste you would only need to top up the fresh water say twice a year, ..... perhaps I will patent this idea tomorrow.


Seriously there are are enough ways to obtain fresh water without going to such extremes.

Alf
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with the berkenfeld system you could drink your own waste .
i bought mine as we were touring africa . swapped it into my later truck just as an emergency thing .
but water isnt that much of a problem . just sometimes we are miles away from anywhere and if it rains we can stay a week or two longer. in winter carry enough food etc for several weeks at a time .
 
Does the roof water count as GREY if so what is the difference, Just thought I would throw that in to liven up the thread,
Rainwater collection is the big points gainer for new house builds along with solar power so where the difference?
 
vwalan said:
with the berkenfeld system you could drink your own waste .
i bought mine as we were touring africa . swapped it into my later truck just as an emergency thing .
but water isnt that much of a problem . just sometimes we are miles away from anywhere and if it rains we can stay a week or two longer. in winter carry enough food etc for several weeks at a time .
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I recall seeing a charity sending plastic "rolla barrells" to Africa,they filtered the water as they were rolled back to the village,don't know the name of them but I'm sure they'd be ideal in your situation.
 
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