Adding a Cistern?  Read This First

The craftsman blog

If you’re considering adding a cistern to your home this post is a must read before you make any decisions. Cisterns are an excellent way to conserve water which is not only great for your neighborhood and city but also provides a huge savings to your water bill as utility rates are constantly increasing these days.

A cistern is essentially a tank for storing water. These can be as simple as adding a couple rain barrels to your downspouts or as complex as a 5,000 gallon underground storage unit to supply a whole house.

What is a cistern?

Yes, a well is a hole dug into the ground, sometimes 30-40 feet or more, to tap into the water table and provide a source of water. A cistern, on the other hand, is a place to store water that you collect either from rainfall or springs

Is that different than a well?

Determining the appropriate size of your cistern is crucial to meet your water storage needs. 

MAKE SURE IT'S THE PROPER SIZE

When it comes to cistern materials, you have several options, each with its advantages and considerations:  fiberglass,  concrete, and  polyethylene.

MATERIALS:

To avoid clogged cisterns full of algae or sediment, among all the other problems a residential cistern can encounter, make sure you:

CISTERN  MAINTENANCE

Have regular inspections Clean gutters & filters Consider water treatment Prepare them for winter.

Congratulations you’re now one step closer to creating a sustainable water management system at your house, and the cistern is the heart of that system.

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