01-19-2013, 03:12 AM
Well, let's see:
Swimming pool cover from Amazon.com with free shipping $75 (every 3 years)
20 micron and 5 micron filters $12 for both (big island catchment, monthly*)
UV light $49-$99 depending on source (annually)
Chemicals $0 (we don't use them)
Liner ? (have no idea how often this has to be replaced)
Cleaning ? (no idea, have never done it)
* People change their filters at different rates. And it depends on water quality, sediment, etc. Usually our big filter gets changed every 2-3 months and the 5 micron more frequently, I put the monthly figure up there as the "high" end of swapping it out, in reality we don't switch them that frequently. We have learned that the cheap filters at walmart are worthless.
That comes out to about $20/month. I used $75/year for the UV sterilization light. Not everybody drinks their catchment water so that may not be a cost for you. Somebody else who has replaced the liner or cleaned the inside of the tank will have to chime in on amortizing that cost.
Edited to add- I forgot about the pump and pressure tank. I don't know how often they have to be replaced. I recently had to put a new pressure switch on my unit. It was $25. I could have got one on the internet for $16, but paying the extra $9 was a bargain because the guy at island catchment saved me about 2 hours of frustration explaining how to put it in quickly. There were a few tricks one doesn't know until they have done it before or somebody shows them.
Swimming pool cover from Amazon.com with free shipping $75 (every 3 years)
20 micron and 5 micron filters $12 for both (big island catchment, monthly*)
UV light $49-$99 depending on source (annually)
Chemicals $0 (we don't use them)
Liner ? (have no idea how often this has to be replaced)
Cleaning ? (no idea, have never done it)
* People change their filters at different rates. And it depends on water quality, sediment, etc. Usually our big filter gets changed every 2-3 months and the 5 micron more frequently, I put the monthly figure up there as the "high" end of swapping it out, in reality we don't switch them that frequently. We have learned that the cheap filters at walmart are worthless.
That comes out to about $20/month. I used $75/year for the UV sterilization light. Not everybody drinks their catchment water so that may not be a cost for you. Somebody else who has replaced the liner or cleaned the inside of the tank will have to chime in on amortizing that cost.
Edited to add- I forgot about the pump and pressure tank. I don't know how often they have to be replaced. I recently had to put a new pressure switch on my unit. It was $25. I could have got one on the internet for $16, but paying the extra $9 was a bargain because the guy at island catchment saved me about 2 hours of frustration explaining how to put it in quickly. There were a few tricks one doesn't know until they have done it before or somebody shows them.