BajaNomad

Another water tank, well question

Donjulio - 7-17-2010 at 11:06 AM

I would appreciate very much if only people that have first hand experience with this down here would answer. Thank you in advance.

Here in San Felipe we have water being pumped from a well (developers well) into two tanks and then gravity fed down to the house. Water is a bit brackish and we are getting some corrosion inside toilets etc.

Developer isn't maintaining tanks and they are nothing short of nasty. Huge sediment build up. Owner of the house just put in an in-ground tank but only 300 gallons which isn't near big enough. Pump and pressure tank were installed and work great.

Now here are the options I see. We put in a larger tank or two. Then we have water delivered. Costly but doable.

Other option I can see is that we figure out a way to run a sediment/RO whole house filter coming off the mainline and then into the house.

Other options or specific recommendations? If you recommend the sediment/RO filter do you have specific brand recommendations that you have had success with?

House is about 2700 sq ft. 3 bath, 2 kitchens

Thanks in advance.

monoloco - 7-17-2010 at 11:15 AM

You can eliminate a lot of your sediment with a simple trap that allows the solids to collect below the water intake. Also an irrigation filter with a fine screen will remove all but the finest sediment, I use a 2.5 inch one and only clean it out about once a year.

fishabductor - 7-17-2010 at 11:19 AM

I'd install your own tank if it's allowed. That gives you complete control of you water. and you are unlikely to run out when someone leaves a valve open.

capt. mike - 7-17-2010 at 11:24 AM

"Developer isn't maintaining tanks and they are nothing short of nasty. Huge sediment build up."


is this at the project you represent? where lots are for sale and civil improvements are not all in but are stated as complete?

this is a prime example of where a buyer might want to confirm infrastructure efficacy before plunking down the final payment.
was water intended and marketed as potable?

why is not the developer addressing this on his nickel?
if it is because he needs sales to finish his project, then his pro forma is not loaded properly.

monoloco - 7-17-2010 at 11:38 AM

If sediment in the water is the only problem with the developer that's pretty good.

Russ - 7-17-2010 at 12:09 PM

my 2¢.. Most of the parcels (about 10 to 20 houses) here in Punta Chivato, are plumbed with a large pila that holds a truck (pipa) load of water (13 to 17 cu. m) then piped to our individual meters and either directly into the home or to a 1 or 2 one cubic meter tank. Our water is relatively clean but I started out with a filter and it was a pain. Not so much from the particulates but it was in the light and would plug up with algae. I tried a screen and it did the same. Even the canister type filters plugged up. I'm sure that a filter would be good if you are willing to do the maintenance. Things improved with the water provider and now only about 1/3 have to have water trucked in. Our water is very corrosive and plastic fixtures are cheap and working best for me. I also changed out all my angle stops for 1/2" PVC shut offs. For a lot of years I used a pump and found the RV type to last as long as the bigger house units and I have rebuild kits in stock. The developer should at least provide clear water. Good Luck!

monoloco - 7-17-2010 at 12:49 PM

I use an irrigation filter with a 2.5" inlet and outlet, the screen inside is probably 3-4" in diameter and 8-10" long, the housing is black and it is the first thing the water goes into when it leaves the pila. I have never had it plug up with algae or sediment. It works really good at keeping all debris out of our system. The good thing about the screen filter is that there is never anything to replace. Russ, what type of RV pump do you use? I need a 24v and all the ones I have found are $250.

Russ - 7-17-2010 at 05:08 PM

I'll try to find it and edit in the address. I went to 120v cuz the outlet is close but use 12 & 24 before.
http://www.pumpagents.com/ShurfloPumps/8000-053-210.html
This is what I have in the 120v. The 8000 series has held up well for me. You may not need the 60psi version but it sure is nice in the shower. This was the first site I came to that had the pump. I got mine from some one elsa at about the same price. I ordered a rebuild kit with it. Your need to step up to 3/4" in and out off the 3/8" nipple that come with it.
Here's where I got mine: http://www.systemacc.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_301


[Edited on 7-18-2010 by Russ]

Pescador - 7-18-2010 at 06:48 AM

Talked to the Shurflo factory when I was installing a 12 volt water pump for their system and they indicated that the one pump to avoid is the variable speed pump that is now popular with motor homes, because they do not hold up well with constant home use. It is pretty simple to run a separate 12 volt line to your pump system, even if you are using 24 volt otherwise.

Bob and Susan - 7-18-2010 at 07:15 AM

you actually need a settling tank...
for the dirt
if you are using the well water

the well water... to the settling tank
the rocks go to the bottom
then
filter that water to the house
with a whole house filter

if the water is brackish you better not have copper pipes
they will leak in a year

if you have copper pipes...haul the water
keep it fresh

don't dig your tank into the ground
that's a repair mistake for later
too hard to fix

i'd stick with plastic tanks
to control the cleanliness of the water
i clorinate our water

stay away from plastic pumps
i'm having trouble with them
because of the temp changes
the water in the summer gets way too hot

my neighbors have a variable speed pump
it works fine
it just needs a decicated filter for it
it can't handel dirty water

i'd stick with a cheaper cast iron 110v 4amp pump
with a bigger pressure tank

they all break eventually
keep the price down

monoloco - 7-18-2010 at 07:22 AM

I don't think that it's very good for a 24v battery bank to pull a 12v load, it would draw the batteries down unequally.

mtgoat666 - 7-18-2010 at 07:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Donjulio
I would appreciate very much if only people that have first hand experience with this down here would answer. Thank you in advance.

Here in San Felipe we have water being pumped from a well (developers well) into two tanks and then gravity fed down to the house. Water is a bit brackish and we are getting some corrosion inside toilets etc.

Developer isn't maintaining tanks and they are nothing short of nasty. Huge sediment build up. Owner of the house just put in an in-ground tank but only 300 gallons which isn't near big enough. Pump and pressure tank were installed and work great.

Now here are the options I see. We put in a larger tank or two. Then we have water delivered. Costly but doable.

Other option I can see is that we figure out a way to run a sediment/RO whole house filter coming off the mainline and then into the house.

Other options or specific recommendations? If you recommend the sediment/RO filter do you have specific brand recommendations that you have had success with?

House is about 2700 sq ft. 3 bath, 2 kitchens

Thanks in advance.


donjulio:
is this the development you are trying to sell lots in your other posts? if so, please add a disclosure to your ads saying "water system is crap."