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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Sterilizing Cistern water without Chlorine
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bluefin
Member
# Posted: 17 Aug 2014 14:59
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I collect rainwater in two cisterns ( 1200 and 1500 gal plastic, above-ground tanks ) at a cabin we use year round. The water feeds the hose supply for dishes/showers/etc but we usually bring in drinking water. It also feeds a "flushing" Centrex NE2000 composting toilet. I dont want to use bleach as it will "kill" the composting action so want to use Hydrogen peroxide. \Does that make sense ? I cant find any resource to tell me how often/how much to use. Tanks are black but one does get some sun so want to keep water clean as much as possible.. Thanks for the advice..

bldginsp
Member
# Posted: 17 Aug 2014 16:22
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If you just want clean drinking water, consider the Berkey type water filters for drinking. They work slowly but remove most pathogens

bluefin
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2014 01:57
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Actually...I dont need to get it that clean. I am fine carrying drinking water in. I just want clean cisterns and nice clean shower water..

I will check out those filters though...just in case..
thx

Bret
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2014 07:29
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Check out Sawyer's Point One water filter. Better filtration, lower price, more versatile.
Bret

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2014 12:49
Reply 


Bluefin,

I understand that you are not trying to filter the water for drinking, sounds more like you want clean tanks? Not sure what you mean by composting action, though. Is this a process in the tank, or you are wetting down a compost bin and don't want to destroy process?

I would assume that peroxide would kill germs much as chlorine would. There is an old thread here about peroxide use.

If you are wanting to prevent growth in the tanks, blocking out light would help a lot. Adding either chlorine or peroxide would help keep growth in control. If you want water for compost pile, might consider a 55 gallon rain barrel or two untreated.

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2014 12:57
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Here's an old thread with water treatment instructions:

http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/3_3546_0.html#msg51969

bluefin
Member
# Posted: 19 Aug 2014 00:24
Reply 


Thank you...sorry if I wasn't clear... The tanks are dark so as to inhibit growth however, I was thinking I should add some Hydr Perox to clean any buildup/algae that I might not see. If I use chlorine, the water that flushes from my composting toilet into the holding tank would have chlorine and would inhibit/stop the composting action in that tank as the chlorine would kill the bacteria. I dont think the Hydr Perox would do that but want to confirm that and understand how much should I add to the tanks and how often it should be added. I dont think I need a filter system as the water looks pretty good now and is only for showers and dishes..
Thanks for taking the time so far to help out..

rayyy
Member
# Posted: 19 Aug 2014 17:12
Reply 


Can you put the 1200 gallon tank directly to your toilet use only (un treated) leaving the 1500 gallon tank for chlorine treated water to the rest of your cabin hold(house hold) needs?

papawawesome
Member
# Posted: 21 Aug 2014 05:57
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That seems like an easy logical solution to the problem.

rugercpl
Member
# Posted: 23 Aug 2014 11:21
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I use pool shock. I guess that's the same as chlorine? Sodium Hypochlorite I believe? In my 200 gallon cistern I just sprinkle a couple of teaspoons when it's newly filled. It's cheap and lasts forever. I don't drink it but I could if I had to. I shower with it, toilet, and wash dishes. It has a slight smell of chlorine like municipal water does. It probably conflicts with the beneficial bacteria of my gray and black water tank but it's not a permanent septic system so I worry less.

Lynn
Member
# Posted: 10 Apr 2024 12:56
Reply 


Bluefin, I have a very, very similar situation. Did you ever get an answer that helped you? If so, will you share that answer?

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