New to Irrigation - Pumps for running sprinklers off of Rain Catchment

[bdoss123]

I am trying to find out what the best type of pump would be to use to operate lawn sprinklers off of a rain cistern. Currently I would be using above-ground sprinklers, but might move to an in-ground system in the future.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject for me?

Thank you,

- Brendan Doss

[Mike Leary]

I am trying to find out what the best type of pump would be to use to operate lawn sprinklers off of a rain cistern. Currently I would be using above-ground sprinklers, but might move to an in-ground system in the future.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject for me?

Thank you,

- Brendan Doss

Have the pump guys do a "on demand" pump, use a Rain Bird automatic
scrubber valve & filter on the first zone.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

BURKE makes a decent sprinkler pump. Have had good luck with them. They have a 3/4 hp and a 1.5 hp modle that I know of. We always use the 1.5 on small to mid sized jobs. It has a 3700 Gallon per hour rating (65 gpm) at 5 feet suction or 3000 GPH at 20 feet suction. Dependent on nozzle size you could run up to 25 sprinklers but would recomend less sprinklers and larger nozzles. I think most above ground sprinklers are around 4gpm. Above ground sprinklers will tollerate alot of debris in water were as inground gear drives should be filtered from central filter. Hope that helps.

[Mike Leary]

BURKE makes a decent sprinkler pump..

Link??????????????????????:hammerhead::drinkup:

[RAlmaroad]

Goulds Shallow Well Pump with foot valve and strainer. 1.50 HP will do all you will ever need. Check out http://www.goulds.com/product.asp?ID=76&MASTERID=3
Used them for 40 years. Great pumps and easy to get parts.

[jeffinsgf]

Before you start buying pumps, calculate how much water it takes to water your lawn once, then compare that to the size cistern you have/can afford, then compare that to the average rainfall and the amount you can collect if you catch every available downspout.

Rainwater collection is a noble cause, but I think you'll find it more geared toward watering the flower beds and/or vegetable garden.

[zman9119]

Link??????????????????????:hammerhead::drinkup:

I am guessing he wanted to say Berkeley.

Link for the lazies...
http://www.berkeleypumps.com/

[Mike Leary]

I am guessing he wanted to say Berkeley.

Link for the lazies...
http://www.berkeleypumps.com/

Thanx, Zman, :sleeping:

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Link??????????????????????:hammerhead::drinkup:

BURKE pumps as we know them.

Burcam-BURKE from laval Quebec
www.burcam.com
We purchase them through princess auto
www.princessauto.com

Everyone should check out princess auto if they have a chance. When things go on sale prices are amazing. Realy neat and different store!!!! They carry army surplus, compressors, power washers, hoses, pumps, welders, HYDRAULICS, hand and power tools.

[bdoss123]

Before you start buying pumps, calculate how much water it takes to water your lawn once, then compare that to the size cistern you have/can afford, then compare that to the average rainfall and the amount you can collect if you catch every available downspout.

Rainwater collection is a noble cause, but I think you'll find it more geared toward watering the flower beds and/or vegetable garden.

Jeff,

Why so, just the volume of water involved? Here, we won't be able to water at all anytime soon, because we are on city water. I was thinking of a 330gal on each of 4 downspouts.

This is for my own home, not a customer/client.

[BrandonV]

you won't be able to do much w/ 330 gals, think bigger. on the ones I've done 5k gall is the minimum for a system that'll run turf. our rains are SO hit a miss here that when you can catch it catch as much as you can afford.

[jeffinsgf]

Jeff,

Why so, just the volume of water involved? Here, we won't be able to water at all anytime soon, because we are on city water. I was thinking of a 330gal on each of 4 downspouts.

This is for my own home, not a customer/client.

I just googled up a formula that states that one inch of rainfall over 1000 square feet requires approximately 600 gallons. So if you're on a normal 6 to the acre residential lot with about a 2000 square foot house on it (roughly 5000 square feet of lawn) your 4 x 330 gallon cisterns topped off wouldn't water the lawn one week -- not even half enough. If you have the same 2000 square foot house on an oversized lot, you're not even close.

Turning the formula around, when it rains an inch, your 2000 square feet of roof is going to catch 1200 gallons -- just about topping off your cisterns. Assuming perfect capture, you just caught enough water to water 40% of your 5000 sq ft. lawn one time (or all of your lawn 40% of what it needs for a week). Even if you had a huge cistern, you would need a rather extended rainy period (think Noah) before you could catch enough water to sustain your turf for any significant period.

To be a viable way to supply your turf areas in any real way, your catchable area (roof) would just about have to exceed your turf area. If they were exactly equal, you could theoretically double the effect of a rain. However, I doubt that you have as much roof as you do lawn.

Now that I've put a damper on your enthusiasm, I will try to rekindle it. I am getting ready to put at a minimum rain barrels --- and potentially a good sized cistern --- on my house, but I'm capturing the water for the garden, not the lawn. Luckily, I'm on my own deep water well, so I don't have to follow any rules on when I water my lawn. I still try to be responsible, however.

[BrandonV]

well be responible and let all that runoff to into the environment. Jk being that he's in chapel hill there us a great chance that the homes he is working on have more roof than turf. By the way do a search on here and you'll see a system that I put in and had to come back and add another tank the homeowner likes it so much.

[jeffinsgf]

well be responible and let all that runoff to into the environment. Jk being that he's in chapel hill there us a great chance that the homes he is working on have more roof than turf. By the way do a search on here and you'll see a system that I put in and had to come back and add another tank the homeowner likes it so much.

Huge houses on tiny lots?

Living on ten acres in the country and maintaining about 3/4 of an acre in turf, the concept of living somewhere where I would have more roof than turf simply amazes me. Even when I lived in the 'burbs on a 6 to the acre lot, I had almost 3 times as much turf as roof.

Tomscreek, could you point me to the right thread for your system pics? I searched your username, and the list is....uhhh.....long.

[BrandonV]

I can't copy and paste on my iphone but if you look on page 28 or so of my post or just look for drive point/sand point wells the pigs are on the second page.

[hoskm01]

I can't copy and paste on my iphone but if you look on page 28 or so of my post or just look for drive point/sand point wells the pigs are on the second page.
All that dinero and you cant copy/paste? What a rip.

[BrandonV]

Maybe you can. I just don't know yet. Honestly I bought just one for me and now my dad mom and broabgave them too. Quite possibly the best cell ever. And the fact my parents can use them is a testimate to the ease of use.

[jeffinsgf]

Approximate title of the thread would be sufficient.

[Kiril]

If it is raining enough to provide sufficient water to irrigate turf, why do you even need to "catch" the water? If your cistern is really going to be a viable option for watering turf, one would think the capacity would need to be large enough to provide sufficient water during extended periods of no rain.

[jeffinsgf]

If it is raining enough to provide sufficient water to irrigate turf, why do you even need to "catch" the water? If your cistern is really going to be a viable option for watering turf, one would think the capacity would need to be large enough to provide sufficient water during extended periods of no rain.

That's my point. Unless you have mammoth storage capacity and cycles of torrential rainfall followed by extended dry spells -- but not too extended -- I can't see how it could be cost justified or effective. If it is raining enough to keep the cisterns full enough to water, you probably don't need to water. ;)

[Kiril]

Regionally appropriate landscapes solve all problems. :)

[jeffinsgf]

Regionally appropriate landscapes solve all problems. :)

Agreed, but with climate change, what was once appropriate seems to be changing. Regional differences affect how certain policies are viewed, as well. Here in the Ozarks several agencies are promoting and subsidizing the installation of rain barrels and wet gardens. The goal being not only to capture the water, but to make sure that what goes into the stream flow has been through a more natural filtering sequence than roof runoff (faster runoff carrying more silt, fertilizer and pesticide residue, etc.).

In Atlanta, however, I heard that the state of Florida is trying to forbid Georgia residents from using rain barrels!

[hoskm01]

In Atlanta, however, I heard that the state of Florida is trying to forbid Georgia residents from using rain barrels!



For the above mentioned reasons of sediment etc? or because "they" own the water that falls and therefore you are stealing? This was brought up, I think relative to Colorado. What a crock of crap, if it falls on my roof, its mine to use.

[BrandonV]

got to love it.

[Kiril]

Agreed, but with climate change, what was once appropriate seems to be changing.

One would hope that regional appropriate landscapes would be able to adapt, otherwise we have a far bigger problem on our hands than irrigation water availability.

In Atlanta, however, I heard that the state of Florida is trying to forbid Georgia residents from using rain barrels!

How about my mouth? If I stand in a rain storm and collect water in my mouth, then spit into a barrel, will I go to jail for stealing water. :cry:

[hoskm01]

One would hope that regional appropriate landscapes would be able to adapt, otherwise we have a far bigger problem on our hands than irrigation water availability.



How about my mouth? If I stand in a rain storm and collect water in my mouth, then spit into a barrel, will I go to jail for stealing water. :cry:
I would like to see any of those restrictions hold up in court. Collecting groundwater out of stream or well, I can swallow (no pun) but off of roof or property?

[jeffinsgf]

For the above mentioned reasons of sediment etc? or because "they" own the water that falls and therefore you are stealing? This was brought up, I think relative to Colorado. What a crock of crap, if it falls on my roof, its mine to use.

Sediment would be a reason "to" use rain barrels.

Second reason is right. Florida is saying that the water that GA residents are capturing in rain barrels rightfully belongs to the Sunshine State.

And you are correct, Kiril, according to FL, if you stand in GA and catch rain in your mouth, you're stealing from the poor people in FL. You will be notified by mail about the civil and criminal proceedings about to land on your head.

[Kiril]

And you are correct, Kiril, according to FL, if you stand in GA and catch rain in your mouth, you're stealing from the poor people in FL. You will be notified by mail about the civil and criminal proceedings about to land on your head.

OH NOOOOOOOOOOO.

:: pees pants outside to mitigate rain caught in mouth ::

[hoskm01]

Sediment would be a reason "to" use rain barrels.

Second reason is right. Florida is saying that the water that GA residents are capturing in rain barrels rightfully belongs to the Sunshine State.

And you are correct, Kiril, according to FL, if you stand in GA and catch rain in your mouth, you're stealing from the poor people in FL. You will be notified by mail about the civil and criminal proceedings about to land on your head.
Unless its federal law, good luck enforcing a Florida law in GA.

[jeffinsgf]

Unless its federal law, good luck enforcing a Florida law in GA.

As I said, FL was "trying" to force GA to do something. I don't know what leverage and/or federal goobledygook they were trying to spin.

[AI Inc]

That's my point. Unless you have mammoth storage capacity and cycles of torrential rainfall followed by extended dry spells -- but not too extended -- I can't see how it could be cost justified or effective. If it is raining enough to keep the cisterns full enough to water, you probably don't need to water. ;)

To make a system like this anywhere near worthwhile , one needs to incorporate grey water.

[Mike Leary]

You all are totally correct (wow! first time I've agreed for months).:clapping:
The horrible truth is, unless you've a back-up source of water, the cistern
deal does not play...rain @ the wrong time, grey water & the filter/Health
Dept. issues are of concern. All said, I like storage, I've made it work,
but unless you have the back up, you'll be leading, as Henry David Thoreau
said, "The life of quiet desperation".

[Kiril]

You all are totally correct (wow! first time I've agreed for months).:clapping:

You forget. :nono:

You agree with everything I say 100% of the time, all the time, every time. :clapping:

[Mike Leary]

You forget. :nono:

You agree with everything I say 100% of the time, all the time, every time. :clapping:

And, you are?

[Wet_Boots]

He's the Spongebob campaign manager!http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3883/jimbobspongebeamzo0.gif

[Mike Leary]

He's the Spongebob campaign manager!

::::as he kills the jug, drinks a bottle of Mad Dog, dreams of miles
of turf with Calsense & I-90s::::::

[bdoss123]

The lot I live on is 1/2 acre - with both the main house and a 600sq ft building. The lawn area is not huge - it is probably very close to the combined SQ footage of the roofs.

I am not dreaming of golf-course turf here - but there is currently little/no grass in the yard (due to tree work on the property last year). The dilemma I have, is that I need to get the seeding process started - but may not be able to water the turf in it's initial stages due to local restrictions.

I know I will be re-seeding this fall, but would rather not go through the entire year with a bare yard. My hope was that keeping ~1300 gallons on hand might provide enough to get me going.

Am I dreaming? Do I just need to live without any yard until the conditions get better (if they do?).

Thanks for all the input,

- BD

[Kiril]

::::as he kills the jug, drinks a bottle of Mad Dog, dreams of miles of turf with Calsense & I-90s::::::

http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=101663&d=1204330872

[Wet_Boots]

Yes. You are dreaming. The numbers don't work out. There just isn't room for your own private reservoir.

[Kiril]

Yes. You are dreaming. The numbers don't work out. There just isn't room for your own private reservoir.

I agree. Given the region your living in, you really need to be looking at more sustainable alternatives.

[BrandonV]

its doable with in ground tanks. You can most likely pit them under your turf area.

[Wet_Boots]

Care to run the numbers for us on a half acre lot?

[Mike Leary]

Gotta have backup for cisterns, a float valve connected to potable or zone valve will give the addition...less turf the better with cisterns.
They take some math & the weather does not always cooperate.

[BrandonV]

true. Backup a must if you're going for nice turf.

[Wet_Boots]

I'd never stop a customer from spending his money on a cistern project, but I wouldn't pretend that on a standard lot, of half an acre or less, planted to mostly lawn, that the roof would catch enough water to justify the expense.

[bdoss123]

This thread has been great - and the debate will rage on. After doing some re-considering, I have come across two "sustainable" turf alternatives that I wanted to ask about.

Eco-Lawn (http://www.wildflowerfarm.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=4&pg=1)
This looks very interesting for my usage, but I can't find any opinions about it on this site. It's quite expensive as well.
and

EnviroTurf
(http://www.bluestem.ca/enviroturf.htm)
This seems to be closer to a TTTF, that is just geared towards drought tolerance.

There's also Clover, which I would like to avoid. I am from a rural-area where access to water hasn't ever been a problem. So I am partial to some type of "turf" as opposed to ground-cover. Although I am open to suggestions.

Thanks again, this thread has been quite informative.
Anyone have experience with either?

[Kiril]

This thread has been great - and the debate will rage on. After doing some re-considering, I have come across two "sustainable" turf alternatives that I wanted to ask about.

Eco-Lawn (http://www.wildflowerfarm.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=4&pg=1)
This looks very interesting for my usage, but I can't find any opinions about it on this site. It's quite expensive as well.

It is just fescue. Don't waste your money.

Sheeps Fescue
Dawson Slender Red Fescue
SR5210 Creeping Red Fescue
SR 5100 Chewings Fescue
Jasper Creeping Red Fescue
Scaldis Hard Fescue
SR 3150 Hard Fescue

EnviroTurf
(http://www.bluestem.ca/enviroturf.htm)
This seems to be closer to a TTTF, that is just geared towards drought tolerance.

Once again, primarily fescue.

Sheep Fescue
Chewings Fescue
Hard Fescue
Creeping Red Fescue
Perennial Ryegrass - contains endophyte (repel grubs)

There's also Clover, which I would like to avoid.

Why?

I am from a rural-area where access to water hasn't ever been a problem.

This should not matter. The more you irrigate, the less sustainable your landscape it.

So I am partial to some type of "turf" as opposed to ground-cover. Although I am open to suggestions.

That depends on what it will be used for.

Also, you would be better off posting this in the organic lawn care forum.

[Kiril]

I'd never stop a customer from spending his money on a cistern project, but I wouldn't pretend that on a standard lot, of half an acre or less, planted to mostly lawn, that the roof would catch enough water to justify the expense.

I would tend to agree. I would think it will take many many years for that investment to pencil out.

If the property is large enough, your might look at integrating a catchment pond into the landscape design.

[Mike Leary]

I would tend to agree. I would think it will take many many years for that investment to pencil out.

If the property is large enough, your might look at integrating a catchment pond into the landscape design.

Double ditto, the only reason I did the cistern system last year, is we had
3-5 gpm recharge from a old well. What I failed to bring up, which ups the
considerable cost, is a controller that has either a ISC (independent station
control) or delay between station feature. The cistern must "rest" &
re-charge between applications.

[AI Inc]

Double ditto, the only reason I did the cistern system last year, is we had
3-5 gpm recharge from a old well. What I failed to bring up, which ups the
considerable cost, is a controller that has either a ISC (independent station
control) or delay between station feature. The cistern must "rest" &
re-charge between applications.

Hunter pro c has a delay between stations , directions are in the manuel under "hidden features"

[Kiril]

Hunter pro c has a delay between stations , directions are in the manuel under "hidden features"

Depends on the recharge rate. If I remember correctly, the max delay is something like 2 hours on the Pro C and ICC?

[DanaMac]

Hunter pro c has a delay between stations , directions are in the manuel under "hidden features"

Rainbird ESP also has a delay feature, and it's not "hidden" :)

[Wet_Boots]

Rainbird ESP also has a delay feature, and it's not "hidden" :)I wish they'd hide it. I keep tripping over it.

[ed2hess]

I read the six pages but unless I missed it I don't see any info on what kind of pump could be used to pump water from an above ground tank. We got a large install that is on city water but the city gives credit if you catch all the water off the buildings and use it in irrigation. So we will use some type of pump and Tee it into the main line(with all the necessary filters/backchecking etc). Seems to be shortage of people in our area that know how to do this...I don't see any hardware on Rainbird web site. I guess that is what the starter of the thread was looking for also....

[Wet_Boots]

If your 'main line' is fed by city water, then you need to cut in an RPZ. Nothing else carries approval for the interconnection. Your pump will be whatever can feed the existing system requirements.

[AI Inc]

Depends on the recharge rate. If I remember correctly, the max delay is something like 2 hours on the Pro C and ICC?

delay on a proc is for up to 4 hrs.

[bdoss123]

I read the six pages but unless I missed it I don't see any info on what kind of pump could be used to pump water from an above ground tank. We got a large install that is on city water but the city gives credit if you catch all the water off the buildings and use it in irrigation. So we will use some type of pump and Tee it into the main line(with all the necessary filters/backchecking etc). Seems to be shortage of people in our area that know how to do this...I don't see any hardware on Rainbird web site. I guess that is what the starter of the thread was looking for also....

The funny thing is, I completely forgot about the point of this thread. I am still going to use rain collection - I just may be rethinking the size and scope of the project.

I will still need to find the answer regarding the pump for getting the water out. I have only been able to find some "Wayne" brand pumps that appear to be used for this purpose.

[Wet_Boots]

Use a jet pump

[hoskm01]

directions are in the manuel under "hidden features"



Is that just above the Jose?

[AI Inc]

The funny thing is, I completely forgot about the point of this thread. I am still going to use rain collection - I just may be rethinking the size and scope of the project.

I will still need to find the answer regarding the pump for getting the water out. I have only been able to find some "Wayne" brand pumps that appear to be used for this purpose.

A goulds j10 would be fine for that.You will also need a float valve to refill with your backup supply.

[jeffinsgf]

So, IF someone had several thousand dollars to throw at this project, and wanted to do it because it was the right thing to do, not necessarily the smart thing to do, and if that person caught all downspouts, and managed to catch (and filter) some hillside runoff, and diverted his home's gray water to the same cistern ---

THEN would it make the most sense to make the cistern the sole source for the system, and recharge the cistern from the well as it is drawn down? Or, is there some other way to switch between well and cistern supply? Assume that the well supplied irrigation system is already in place. Is any regard given to the soaps, etc that will be in the gray water?

[AI Inc]

So, IF someone had several thousand dollars to throw at this project, and wanted to do it because it was the right thing to do, not necessarily the smart thing to do, and if that person caught all downspouts, and managed to catch (and filter) some hillside runoff, and diverted his home's gray water to the same cistern ---

THEN would it make the most sense to make the cistern the sole source for the system, and recharge the cistern from the well as it is drawn down? Or, is there some other way to switch between well and cistern supply? Assume that the well supplied irrigation system is already in place. Is any regard given to the soaps, etc that will be in the gray water?

You would be way better off to draw exclusivly from cistern and recharge it thru alternate source. That would help delute grey water and keep the # of componants down.
As an alternative to city water in the desert maybe. If already on a well its a pita with no real gain.

[jeffinsgf]

You would be way better off to draw exclusivly from cistern and recharge it thru alternate source. That would help delute grey water and keep the # of componants down.
As an alternative to city water in the desert maybe. If already on a well its a pita with no real gain.

Understood. for me the big issue is gray water. We're in the country, on a septic system. My wife is washing machine addicted. It's not quite OCD, but close. Our leach field is straining under the load. I need to do something, and I am considering splitting off the washing machine, kitchen sink, and bathroom sinks, tying them into the currently installed gutter run-off drain, and catching it all into a cistern. It may be less expensive than re-engineering the septic system.

[AI Inc]

personaly if it was me , I would install a drywell for grey water and run ya system of the well. With the cistern you will be about 165 yr old by the time you get a return on your investment , if at all.

[Kiril]

I would think the most important thing would be to use phosphate free detergents. Also, take care in what you dump down the sinks. Using garbage disposers with a gray water system is probably not a good idea either.

Oh, and buy more clothes so you don't have to wash so much. :)

[Kiril]

personaly if it was me , I would install a drywell for grey water and run ya system of the well. With the cistern you will be about 165 yr old by the time you get a return on your investment , if at all.

This is what I am going to do with my water filter backwash. :)

[jeffinsgf]

I would think the most important thing would be to use phosphate free detergents. Also, take care in what you dump down the sinks. Using garbage disposers with a gray water system is probably not a good idea either.

Oh, and buy more clothes so you don't have to wash so much. :)

Oh, we've both got plenty of clothes, she just can't stand to see any of them in the hamper. The disposal side would go to the black water system. It is probably not feasible to install a separate drain for the second sink. Perhaps, as suggested, I should just divert the washing machine to a dry well or its own separate lateral field.

[ed2hess]

The funny thing is, I completely forgot about the point of this thread. I am still going to use rain collection - I just may be rethinking the size and scope of the project.

I will still need to find the answer regarding the pump for getting the water out. I have only been able to find some "Wayne" brand pumps that appear to be used for this purpose.

I guess this means that we don't look to Rainbird and Hunter to provide the pumps for this application. We haven't found anybody in Austin that can help us with the problem. Interesting that the city is giving green credits for doing this on a resturant but they can't help with any technical detail either. The irrigation teacher one of my boys had said he would help .

[Wet_Boots]

I read the six pages but unless I missed it I don't see any info on what kind of pump could be used to pump water from an above ground tank. We got a large install that is on city water but the city gives credit if you catch all the water off the buildings and use it in irrigation. So we will use some type of pump and Tee it into the main line(with all the necessary filters/backchecking etc). Seems to be shortage of people in our area that know how to do this...I don't see any hardware on Rainbird web site. I guess that is what the starter of the thread was looking for also....How many thousands of dollars is the city going to pony up for this sort of setup? (and it does have to be thousands of dollars)

[ed2hess]

How many thousands of dollars is the city going to pony up for this sort of setup? (and it does have to be thousands of dollars)

The bid was $38K to put this water system in to collect water off the resturant and that didn't include the hook-up to the irrigation system that we are installing. The city has some type of credit system towards the water bills. Similar deal to putting solor panels on roof to get credits on electrical bills. The city does not pay anything up front.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

I am trying to find out what the best type of pump would be to use to operate lawn sprinklers off of a rain cistern. Currently I would be using above-ground sprinklers, but might move to an in-ground system in the future.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject for me?

Thank you,

- Brendan Doss

This subject will be discussed by an expert at the next Dallas Irrigation Assoc meeting March 18th. I'll try and take good notes.

[Wet_Boots]

The bid was $38K to put this water system in to collect water off the resturant and that didn't include the hook-up to the irrigation system that we are installing. The city has some type of credit system towards the water bills. Similar deal to putting solor panels on roof to get credits on electrical bills. The city does not pay anything up front.I wouldn't expect the city to pay up front. I still wonder how much water will be collected from a roof, and what it will end up costing to collect and pump.

From a design standpoint, it might be more easy to visualize as a sprinkler system fed from a shallow well, using a shallow-well jet pump. Replace the shallow well with a cistern, and the rest remains the same. All the city water ever does is pour into the cistern, if needed. You don't get any benefit from whatever pressure the city water has, since the shallow-well jet provides all the driving force.

If these cisterns were deep enough, you might try using a submersible pump, and a pressure tank, which can get you higher pressures, and allow for a pressurized interconnection with the city water, with an RPZ to isolate the cistern from the city water.

[Tom Tom]

If these cisterns were deep enough, you might try using a submersible pump, and a pressure tank, which can get you higher pressures, and allow for a pressurized interconnection with the city water, with an RPZ to isolate the cistern from the city water.

Wouldn't you be pumping against the rp causing it to dump?

[Wet_Boots]

Wouldn't you be pumping against the rp causing it to dump?The final check valve (we're assuming it works) would prevent the backflow, and even that couldn't happen if the city pressure was higher than the system pressure. But this is one example of a configuration that you would not just "install and forget" even if local/state laws allowed you to do so.

[AI Inc]

march 08 irrigation and green industry mag has an article on harvesting rain water.