Installation of First Flush on catchment tank

[Les C]

Regarding
http://ersson.sustainabilitylane.com/rainwatr.htm

It was nice to see what this person went through with two attempts to use different roofwashers, which to me is basically a first flush with some gizmos. The first roofwasher mentioned at this URL is the same one as in the Australian URL
http://www.saferain.com.au/harvesting.htm

And, in case you didn't read the accounts at the first URL, neither roofwasher functioned well in Oregon.

Regarding drilling holes in the end of your first flush pipe, you don't necessarily need to do that. Not having the holes may require a bit more close monitoring, but I'm not sure what the trade off is if there is water constantly draining the diverted water. In a light rain, it might drain all collected water. If the holes are too small, they could easily plug with debris and they would function like a pipe without the holes. In this case, they might provide a visual clue when checking your first flush during a rain: water not flowing out = debris in pipe needing clearing.

Royall, with the laundry bag/filter at the end of the first flush pipe, does a lot more water not get into your tank, especially during light rains, than without the bag/filter? One good side benefit is that if it drains well, there is less standing water in the diverter pipe (and the collection pipe, depending on your setup).

Edited by - Les C on 06/26/2007 12:50:10

[ef9]

Hi Les,

If I do not drill holes in my first flush, how will the "dirty" water empty out before the next rain comes?

I was under the impression that you need to drain out that water slowly(too fast and water will not fill your cistern fast enough).

Stan

[Les C]

You put a threaded end on the pipe with a screw cap. When a significant rainfall has been going, unscrew the cap and let the water and debris out, recap. Before you wash your roof, unscrew the cap to let the dirty wash water run out. This requires a bit more monitoring, as I said, but if you go with the holes and they plug up, you're in the same boat. Royall's bag filter may be another way to deal with this, but it would seem to let too much water out before the pressure can build to fill the tank. I don't think I'm picturing what his setup looks like.

Edited by - Les C on 06/26/2007 22:50:11

Edited by - Les C on 06/26/2007 22:51:00

[ef9]

So there is no automated setup that requires less monitoring? I can only picture a combination of filters, etc. to reduce the routine maintenance.

So far, I have a recommendation of a 10' length of piping. All of the first flush systems I saw always had the screw plug on the end, to remove debris and sludge.

I don't understand Royall's setup either. Is the laundry bag over the discharge pipe INSIDE of the catchment tank?

I guess I have to go over to those catchment tank guys in Shipman Industrial as Beachboy said.

Stan

[Royall]

My net is on the end of the pipe inside the catchment. I did that just to keep the debris out of the tank so that there would be less crap in the bottom of the tank. I was going to do a first flush on the tank but the more I talked to long time owners the less I wanted to do it. I'm on the lower part of HPP just where the dryer part of the park starts and want every drop of water going into the tank. I do pull the plug on the end of the fill pipe once in awhile when the rain is coming down hard to flush it.

Royall

What goes around comes around!

Edited by - Royall on 06/27/2007 06:57:59

[ef9]

Right now, I plan on getting Waterman water to drink/cook.

However, I do want to drink the catchment water after installing more filters/UV sterilization.

I figured the first flush would be a requirement if one decides to drink from the catchment. I know a lot of people will think that is gross.

Stan

[Royall]

We've been drinking our water. There are two filters and the UV lamp.

Royall

What goes around comes around!

[ef9]

I have two young kids, one just born two days ago.

When we do move to HPP, I plan on getting Waterman water at the very least, for our kids to drink until they get much older.

If anything, my wife and I could drink the catchment water which we plan on installing the UV sterilizer and the 2 different filters before that.

I also plan on doing a chemical sterilization (or whatever you would call it) using bleach or chlorine.

Stan

[Les C]

We've been drinking our catchment water, also with two filters and UV, with no ill effects or taste. Stan, if you have concerns about the quality of your water after you put in your treatment, get regular tests done. Do it at least yearly, biannually if it makes you more comfortable. We use Bob's Catchment Testing 936-3426 in Kea'au. Bob is the microbiologist who helps manage the Hawaiian Springs plant in Kea'au; he also keeps tabs on their water. He provides a fairly concise report. And if you have other concerns, let him know so that he can be especially focused on what you're worried about.

[Beachboy]

quote:

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I guess I have to go over to those catchment tank guys in Shipman Industrial as Beachboy said.

Stan

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catchment tank gals, not guys Stan! Leena & Lisa, sister who run the show. Leena is a wealth of information for catchment stuff. Plus they are super friendly, and really want to help you!