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tangle
Member
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2022 09:03 - Edited by: tangle
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I have a hand dug well that has a flow rate of 50 gallons a day. It is 4' in diameter, a little over 30' deep. Would there any issues with using the hole as a water collection tank for rain water?
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2022 09:48
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If that well water tests out safe as potable running rain collection water, which will be contaminated to some extent, into it will compromise the whole thing into only utility (at best) water.
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tangle
Member
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2022 14:19
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Thanks for the advice. I was looking for cheap storage since the recovery rate is about 50 gallons per day.
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2022 14:50
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Hand dug to 30'? That's some digging!
In addition to what gcrank1 said, rainwater potentially contaminating what may be safe to drink well water, you will probably find that the well doesn't store the water so well.
The static water level in the well is going to be the same as the surrounding groundwater table level. Just like water flows from the soil into your well when you remove water from it, any water you add to the well is going to flow out of the well into the soil until the water level gets back to the groundwater table.
You'd be better off getting a tank to store rainwater in.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 5 Aug 2022 16:55
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Quoting: NorthRick Just like water flows from the soil into your well when you remove water from it, any water you add to the well is going to flow out of the well into the soil until the water level gets back to the groundwater table.
Yep, it is a 2 way street
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Bueford
Member
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# Posted: 19 Sep 2022 07:51
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Never store rain water in your hand dug well, or any well for that matter. Your well water is safe and rain water is subject to contaminants and pathogens.Rain water should be treated before consumption, even if your not drinking the water, use in shower or for dishes can lead to pathogens entering your body.
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Aklogcabin
Member
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# Posted: 19 Sep 2022 09:19
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So kinda curious because I've drank lots of rain water. How does it become contaminated with pathogens and contaminants ?
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 19 Sep 2022 10:02 - Edited by: gcrank1
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What it 'lands on and/or runs down'. Lands on a roof, where you have bird droppings, insects, sky debris, etc. to flush off its all in the water that ends in the barrel. Even if you have a '1st flush diverter' it will be better but still wont be great.
If you have a good sanitized catchment imo no worries; like the flow system gets bleached down every day? Then you run what you are gonna use through a filtering system? A blue light? And boil? Where do you stop? How much is enough?
Btw, I took a drink out of a water hose the other day.... and on one nasty expedition I slurped rain water out of a pocket in a shaded boulder. Never did the Texas Waddie 'drunk dirty water out of a hoof print' thing so maybe I do get a handshake from Rooster C. and a Daniel Webster cigar?
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Fanman
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# Posted: 21 Sep 2022 22:21
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Quoting: Bueford Rain water should be treated before consumption, even if your not drinking the water, use in shower or for dishes can lead to pathogens entering your body.
Not drinking it is understandable, but showering? How is that any different from swimming in a lake that collects rainwater?
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 22 Sep 2022 01:32
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Quoting: Fanman How is that any different from swimming in a lake
Naegleria fowleri is commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba" — and it does indeed destroy brain tissue. Found in lake water. Rain water may be safer bio-wise.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 22 Sep 2022 16:58
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Now Im afraid to go in the water again....
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