BajaNomad

water systems

oldjack - 3-24-2006 at 06:58 PM

I have noticed that many of the houses have large plastic containers on the roofs... some are opaque and others blue or black... the seem to be part of the water system??? they must be at least 100+- gallons... how are they used? is this something I should consider for my casita..

I apologize in adavance for the multiple questions I will be posting.... I need educated ......

Diver - 3-24-2006 at 07:04 PM

If there is local city water, the tanks are used as storage to buffer the typically low flow and pressure from the city.

If there is no local water, these tanks are used to store water that is delivered by truck.

Depending on your location and the location (height) of the tank in relation to the house, you may or may not need to add a pump to either fill the tank or supply water at higher pressure.

David K - 3-24-2006 at 07:50 PM

Water pressure is created by gravity (or a pump)... The higher the water level, the higher the pressure where the water comes out. The formula is 0.433 psi per foot. So, if your water level in the pila (tank) is 20 feet higher than your bib/ faucet you will have 8.66 psi of pressure.

Roberto - 3-24-2006 at 07:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oldjack
I have noticed that many of the houses have large plastic containers on the roofs... some are opaque and others blue or black... the seem to be part of the water system??? they must be at least 100+- gallons... how are they used? is this something I should consider for my casita..

I apologize in adavance for the multiple questions I will be posting.... I need educated ......


Oh boy. If you are asking questions like this and are planning on a "casita" in the near future ... I smell disaster.

Diver - 3-24-2006 at 07:54 PM

Hey, at least he's asking !! That's better than some.

Better ask a lot more questions jack !! :lol:

You got consistent power at this casita ...... ?

David K - 3-24-2006 at 07:55 PM

oldjack, I am sure many Nomads here would be happy to help... A few just come here to insult others, so ignore them if you can...

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 08:00 PM

many parts of Mexico you only get water a day or 2 a week and you need to store water to flush with the rest of the time.

there are no stupid questions, only stupid people that don't ask.

oldjack - 3-24-2006 at 08:15 PM

thanks for the info... my casita does not have that pila.. I am taking all that is said about the place with great circumspec... there is aqua municpal and electricidad as far as being reliable... we'll see... hey it is Baja!!! Roberto I look forward to buying you a beer and delving into your tremendous experience...........

the questions will continue////

tanks on the roof

bonanza bucko - 3-24-2006 at 08:18 PM

The tank up there is for water pressure without a pump. At those places where fresh water is avialable for sale from a truck with water from a well out in the desert somewhere the tank might be used for fresh water. But, increasingly, we have solar power to make pressure pumps work with fresh water tanks at ground level and out of the sun which causes algae and bad stuff to grow in yer fresh water tank.

The roof tranks in this case are almost always for salt water pumped from sand spikes next to the house and the water is used for toilets.

Most houses on the beach in Baja are built like yachts that don't float...the systems are the same as you would find on a yacht with power from solar panels or generators and fresh water rationed only for life sustaining stuff like drinking, bathing, cooking and mixing drinks with salt water used for all the waste functions.

If you put a clear fresh water tank out in the sun...likek up on a roof...you will find it clogged with algea and unuseable after about a day of Baja sun. Those tanks must be opaqe and in the shade.

Go Baja....I'd rather have a tank full of fresh from a well in the desert and off a truck than a fresh water tap from a lying, thieving, rip off artist of a local bureaucrat.

Bob and Susan - 3-24-2006 at 09:19 PM

Pressure Pump and Tank

Bob and Susan - 3-25-2006 at 05:03 AM

That's about $150US...3/4HP

Holds pressure for 2 flushes befre it turns on.

The one below has a little smaller tank but the same 3/4hp pump...$79 US Harbor Frieght

I got it with a 20% off sale coupon $63 US:biggrin:

I haven't hooked this one up yet...it's a back up pump for now.

Bob and Susan - 3-25-2006 at 05:37 AM

yea:lol:

Water system

Cypress - 3-25-2006 at 06:27 AM

Is it possible to have a well drilled, maybe use the water for purposes other than drinking? Legal issues? Availability of ground water?

Bob and Susan - 3-25-2006 at 06:40 AM

almost impossible..

everything under the ground belongs to the govt

lots of permits required....