Puna water systems?

[mhargis]

I know that most homeowners in and around the Puna area have to catch their water 10 years ago. Has anything changed. And if you still have to then are you still using above ground swimming pools?
Thanks, Michael

michaelhargis.com

[Kelena]

Catchments are still the most common water delivery mechanism in Puna. I was horrified by the idea of "catching" my water. I was kinda getting all Lady Grantham about it before I moved here. Now I really like the idea. Rain is normally abundant here and so it makes senses to catch it and use it. With a good filtration system and by keeping an eye on it, you can have a reliable water delivery system that is annually less expensive than the price paid by some in subdivisions that provide water delivery. I am very lucky in that mine is below grade, concrete and completely contained. That is uncommon. I have excellent water pressure and am happy to be in charge of my water system.

[kalakoa]

The best book catchment book also happens to be available free:

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/rm-12.pdf

[kaialoha]

Aloha Kelena, I'm curious about your 'below grade' system. What is it made of and where is it actually located? I've seen them situated under the hale itself BUT that seems logistically difficult to deal with. Who built it and when did they build it? How's it holding up? I've read the Catchment Book available via the URL above (by Kaloka) and wanting to delve into building one soon. Also, it seems building a Catchment System requires a permit. Is that the case? MAHALO in advance for your time and consideration ~ ~ ~

Aloha

[kalakoa]

Section 5-1.0.8. EXCEPTIONS: A permit is not required for: ...
(14) Swimming pools for one and two-family dwelling units less than 3 feet in depth.

Note that while this provision may exempt the tank itself, any "plumbing" requires a permit, especially where electricity is involved (eg, a water pump).

[Kelena]

kaialoha,

The location and design of my catchment tank is unusual. The design is brilliant and was conceived of by the original owner (I can take no credit). It might be hard to duplicate without the right topography. I'll try to paint a picture. My house sits pretty far back on the lot and when seen straight on appears to be built on a slab. However, it is actually on post and pier and sits about 4 feet off of the ground. This is apparent when viewed from one side -- the side where you can crawl under the house. The illusion that the house is on slab is possible because it sits in a kapoho (a depression, or perhaps a puka or big hole). You cannot see the hole because the house sits in it and the floor of the house is level with the top of the hole.

If you continue out the back door of the house, you will step into a patio area that also appears to be at grade. However, that patio, too, is built over a hole and so is above grade. The deck or patio area actually is higher than a man but because it is in a puka, you don't realize it. Once on the patio deck, you will see the hatch to the catchment. It is pretty well concealed because it emulates the design pattern of the deck. When you lift that up, you are looking into a very larger rectangular concrete box that holds the rain hits the roof. That box sits below deck in.....you guessed it -- the puka! So basically, you have an above-grade house and deck that appears to be at grade but is not because it is in a hole. The hole is concealed for the most part by what sits in it: A house, a patio deck a lawn and a catchment tank.

I am not certain if the puka is natural or if it was dug out. But digging a hole this size would be very expensive and so I think the design takes advantage of a feature that is mostly natural ---picture a flat lot, a six or seven foot rise in that lot, and a trough (so to speak) behind that rise that levels out at the other end. The house and catchment tank sit in that trough.

You are welcome to come by and see it sometime but I think the design takes advantage of features peculiar to this lot.