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offthegrid
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# Posted: 12 May 2026 06:51am
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I will preface by mentioning that this capture water is going to a Berkfeld gravity filter for the main filtration to make it drinkable so I am just trying to figure out to have a somewhat more workable source product for the main filtration.
I know this is a common and well documented issue in the off-grid community but just trying to figure out which option will work best for my situation.
I started collecting rainwater with a tarp a few weeks ago. The collection works well enough but it has now gone nasty and green and full of little bugs swimming around.
Even the bugs I have been 'working around' with a cloth filter to sieve them out but the algae is a real problem now and just making it look like a disgusting sludge.
I know the standard go-to, having done some research, is bleach for this. I am experimenting with that short term but would prefer a none chemical way longer term.
Next up of course is UV which does seem an attractive idea but pretty pricey for a quite simple problem.
I don't mind paying if it turns out the best way but I am wondering now whether to just leave the nasty gunk like it is with critters and all and rather just get a cheap pump and fine filter to pump out what I need when I need it.
I experimented with that yesterday though and even with a fine filter there is still considerable green turbidity/sediment in the filtered product. That is when I put some bleach in, which did clear it quite a bit but I was very conservative I think, wanting to test how little I could use as first time trying, so I think more would make it turn properly clear.
Also the Berkfeld is certified to remove chlorine which is a big plus but still prefer not use chemicals 'just because' and also that it is not a sustainable option compared to say UV.
I was doing that manually yesterday with just a jug and cloth to filter to a bucket. That dealt with the lifeforms but the algae is another issue.
I put some bleach in for that and guess I will continue like that for a bit if it works ok but as above want to lose the chemicals from my process.
Figuring I perhaps can avoid the issue at all maybe by flushing away this water properly and disinfection and such then covering the water capture over so the sun isn't feeding the algae? That is what I saw was a recommendation. Better to prevent it in the first place.
I know tarp is not the best compared to a roof into a barrel but I don't have any buildings on the land - just staying in my van and don't plan to build any at this stage due to regulations. I did some initial trials with tarps raised off the ground but found they whipped terribly in the wind which caused one to break twice.
So I them made a dugout on the ground and pegged the tarp down which has been fine now in terms of securing it but the issue now is having open air water is not great due to contamination compared I guess to a runoff to a gutter and enclosed barrel.
Even so I think I could modify this ground setup easily to make a ground gutter into a barrel as the land is sloped. I already have the barrel and have just been scooping and carrying the water myself so I could just make it run down the slope to the barrel instead but the tarp can hold a lot more than the barrel meaning there would be wastage.
I have a second tarp of the same size so another option is keep the containment at the tarp and just cover with the other tarp and make a gate to let the water flow off when I wanted to refill the barrel.
Those are minor issue to iron out but the main problem that needs solving immediately is the disgusting green sludge. We have very low rain at the moment so I am also salvaging this current water from the sludge but refiltering! Also good practice for survival situations I think! rather than just going straight to the store to buy bottled water or such.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 12 May 2026 08:20am
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Ime the biggest water use is utility, potable is much less. And the last thing you need is to get deathly sick from drinking BAD water! So STOP that asap.
Imo you need to have a source of potable, maybe at a friend's or a gas station you frequent will let you fill a 3-5 gal. jug a few times a week? Fwiw, out home water well pump failed last Wed eve and we have been doing just that at our local gas station. Do sanitize your potable water jugs asap and periodically thereafter.
For water catchment for utility you need to get off the ground and use a dark container because algae gets exponential with sunlight. Maybe get a few cutoff lengths of metal roofing, build a simple shed roof frame and a dark food grade surplus plastic drum?
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Atlincabin
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# Posted: 12 May 2026 04:20pm
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Light is your enemy as it makes everything grow. As gcrank says, storing your water in the dark will make a huge difference. Then simply filter through a sediment filter prior to the Berkfeld. My water comes from a spring, goes through sediment filter, Doulton ceramic (similar to Berkfeld), and into a poly storage tank in the (mostly) dark. Never had any issues.
IMHO, you will be better served by purchasing a couple of sheets of metal roofing, a gutter, and simple filtration into a dark barrel for storage. I would build a simple support for the roof to keep it off the ground, maybe even large enough to park under if that is desirable (and affordable).
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