01-20-2013, 01:18 PM
Well...... variables are... What kinda quality tank do you want to have? Longer lasting better tank (thicker metal) more $$$. That also goes with Liner, Pump and pressure tank.
I've put in the best I could afford when I did it I did it myself and the cost was around 5K bucks just for the tank, pump, pressure tank, cover and liner. That included the work to level out a 30' round pad and sand.
So... After that the up keep from (how long a pump/pressure tank will last) is anyones guess but a tank should last a good 10-20 years depending on the upkeep and quality of it.
Next come Filters and chemicals replacement cost. Usually a monthly fee.
Next come power cost to run the pump and UV filters.
Next ... comes what if you have to replace the liner? Or you get a hole in it or it just doesn't rain enough you gotta factor in water hauling... Or worse you gotta drain it because you found a dead rat in the bottom. Ick!
So... I'd say after you factor it all in to get quality water from your catchment you'd be looking @ 30-40 bucks a month depending on how much quality and luck you had for equipment lasting a long long time to having everything work.
If I had to do it all over again I would have gone with the green plastic tanks. Can just put them practically anywhere and yes they are expensive but less maintenance of water and less upkeep of the tank itself.
Bottom line would be if you think your coming to Hawaii to get away from your water bill ... Think again. Unless you somehow just wanted a tank to fill up the toilet and take a low pressure shower and you didn't care if a few bugs and leaves were in with it ... You could do a gravity fed system where you elevate your tank (nothing more than a few 50 gallon drums) you could get by next to nothing.
Now that I'm on private water it's worth it just not to have to drive to the creepy water holes just to get my 5 gallon jugs filled and carry them in. Granted it doesn't bother me now but I assume if I live here for a long time and I were in my 80's I doubt I'd be lifting up too many 5 gallon bottles maybe have to get the 2.5 gallon ones.
I've put in the best I could afford when I did it I did it myself and the cost was around 5K bucks just for the tank, pump, pressure tank, cover and liner. That included the work to level out a 30' round pad and sand.
So... After that the up keep from (how long a pump/pressure tank will last) is anyones guess but a tank should last a good 10-20 years depending on the upkeep and quality of it.
Next come Filters and chemicals replacement cost. Usually a monthly fee.
Next come power cost to run the pump and UV filters.
Next ... comes what if you have to replace the liner? Or you get a hole in it or it just doesn't rain enough you gotta factor in water hauling... Or worse you gotta drain it because you found a dead rat in the bottom. Ick!
So... I'd say after you factor it all in to get quality water from your catchment you'd be looking @ 30-40 bucks a month depending on how much quality and luck you had for equipment lasting a long long time to having everything work.
If I had to do it all over again I would have gone with the green plastic tanks. Can just put them practically anywhere and yes they are expensive but less maintenance of water and less upkeep of the tank itself.
Bottom line would be if you think your coming to Hawaii to get away from your water bill ... Think again. Unless you somehow just wanted a tank to fill up the toilet and take a low pressure shower and you didn't care if a few bugs and leaves were in with it ... You could do a gravity fed system where you elevate your tank (nothing more than a few 50 gallon drums) you could get by next to nothing.
Now that I'm on private water it's worth it just not to have to drive to the creepy water holes just to get my 5 gallon jugs filled and carry them in. Granted it doesn't bother me now but I assume if I live here for a long time and I were in my 80's I doubt I'd be lifting up too many 5 gallon bottles maybe have to get the 2.5 gallon ones.