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I have some ??? about catchment...how much of a hassle is it really? I mean, can you drink it? What kind of maintenance is required? How often do you actually buy water (due to rainfall?)...what are the PROS and CONS? What about snails? Do they required UV filters? Do you just use it to bathe? Any current catchment people please...
Mahalo!
Carrie Rojo
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There is a great "Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawaii," published by the University of Hawaii at Maona. You can download it from their web site
http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu or order it at ctahrpub@hawaii.edu. How often you have to buy water will depend on the area you live at. Properly handled and filtered catchment water is purer than your tap water.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185
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we use it for everything except drinking, since we first set it up never had to buy water(almost 9 yrs)aloha
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So any problems with snails or other critters? What kinda filter do you use?
Carrie Rojo
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Aloha Carolann:
We've only been here for 6 months but catchment is easy to adjust to.We are in a rental while our house is being built,so the filter system here is just for sediment.We don't drink this water,but I add bleach once a week to disinfect it.I change the sediment filter every 2-3 months.The house I'm building will have a sediment,charcoal,and UV light.Water from that system will be as pure or better than county water.The system cost about $500.We had a swimming pool in Florida,and taking care of catchment is easier.I like the idea of controlling my water source and so far we've never needed to buy water.The tank we are installing for the new house will be 10500 gallons,which for us will be a 3 month supply.I don't think we'll ever see a 90 day period without rain here!
Hope this helps.
Don & Lek
"Living the Dream"
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We lived on catchment for years. I guess with me personally I like the tanks i can look over the side and see no dead animals in it. Ours, we added chlorine through long term release pool tablets adjusting the size and quantity down for drinking water. we also had a 2 filtering systems and had absolutely no problems.
My friend on the other hand discovered a dead cat in hers (located under the house with a cover on it) while she had dye in her hair and was showering. Some stinky / deadly water!!!! Had to completely empty tank and scrub it down. Flush all cleaning substance (like rinsing a giant drinking glass) out, and then refill. Took them 3 days. They had a second tank to rinse #1 out with but werent sure about the cross contamination so did second tank also, and changed out complete filtering system.
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I spent about $1200 to install multiple filters of varying micron sizes and a 20-inch activated charcoal filter and a 2-foot UV tube. I also put bleach in (well, I haven't done it in a while, but I should). I drink my catchment water. I've only had this house 2 years and the catchment was new when I bought it. Next year, I'll plan to have my catchment cleaned and refilled. Make sure you have a good domed top on your catchment to minimize the leaves getting in the catchment and that the cover is tight to help keep the critters out. Keep your gutters clean, too.
John Dirgo, RA, ABR, e-PRO
RE/MAX Properties
808-987-9243 cell
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The good...the bad and the dead cat! I thank you all for sharing about catchment...I really am not in fear or anything, I think it's just something you become accustomed to, eh? Keep sending me your experiences with catchment water...mahalo!
Carrie Rojo
http://www.cafepress.com/dreamhawaii
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We bought our house here about 1 1/2 years ago and had most of the old catchment replaced (except the pump and the plumbing). We got a 10,000 gallon tank for 5 people and we've haven't had to fill it yet. We have 3 carbon filters (of decreasing sizes) and a uv filter. I change the carbon filters about once a month (in theory). And you are supposed to have your catchment tank cleaned once a year. (that's on my to do list) And we have never added chlorine. (is that required?) oh, our tank is covered with one of those umbrella-looking systems. And we drink the water. Never had any problems. That I know of....
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So then really, the upkeep part of it is relatively simple? I mean do most people add chlorine? If so, how often? Do you mind my asking what you paid to have your new system put in? Also - if you need to clean it once a year - WHAT does that entail? Is there a company that does it or do you do that yourselves? Thanks for all the input!
Carrie
