Rain harvesters and wells can vary in size and sophistication. Whether you should install a rain harvesting system or a well depends on environmental factors like local soil content, climate conditions, average annual rainfall, groundwater levels, and construction limitations—not to mention your budget. But before you decide which is best for your home, it helps to know a thing or two about the source of water each type supplies.
Beyond the obvious fact that well water comes from the ground and rain from the sky, there are important differences between the two in terms of the composition of the water and the logistical demands of retrieving it. Those include differences in mineral content, alkalinity, pollution, and debris accumulation.
In general, rainwater is softer than well water, which means it is lower in dissolved minerals. It’s also more subject to pollution and debris accumulation—mostly because rainwater runs from roofs, paved streets, and other unclean surfaces before settling in a barrel or cistern.
Well or groundwater, on the other hand, is typically much harder, meaning it has higher mineral content. Water that is particularly “hard” will need to be treated with water softeners to prevent pipe blockages, spotty dishes, or scratchy laundry. There’s also an elevated risk of ground pollutants like arsenic. Any nearby septic systems, landfills, or industrial facilities will also need to be considered, and it’s highly recommended that wells are tested at least once a year.
Recalling the water cycle from science class, water gathers its hardness through groundwater recharge—the process by which water enters aquifers and eventually makes its way to a watershed, like a lake or river. Through that process the water accumulates minerals from the soil, making it “harder.” Hard water is not all bad, as it contains essential mineral nutrients, but it does prevent soap from lathering properly, which can lead to spotty dishes, scratchy laundry, and excessive soap residue. Over time, hard water can cause pipe blockages and crusty mineral buildups on sink and shower heads.
Thankfully, all these problems have remedies. A basic water filter can clear out unwanted byproducts, including solid debris, pesticides, bacteria, and sediment. If you’re dealing with especially hard water, you can install a water softener to reduce the mineral content. If your water source is too soft, filters with mineral stones can be used to reintroduce the right amount of hardness.
The type of filter you use and where it should be installed—whether it’s needed for just one tap or a whole home—depends on the kind of water in need of treatment.
A well can be as simple as a hole dug in the ground or as sophisticated as a pressurized system drilled hundreds of feet into the ground. The point is the source: groundwater. Most rural properties with a private well are either driven or drilled, wherein a hole is dug into the ground until groundwater is encountered. The deeper into the aquifer the well is dug the more sanitary the water will be.
Once a suitable depth is reached, the hole is lined or cased with a hard material to hold the hole in place and prevent collapse. It can also help keep contaminants from entering the water supply. Modern well casings are made from carbon steel, plastic, or stainless steel, while old well cases were made from stone, brick, or mortar.
Private wells are also fitted with surface caps to prevent insects, debris, or other objects from tumbling into the well. Screens are installed toward the bottom of the well to keep sediment out. A submersible pump is also placed at the bottom of the well inside the casing. Driven by a power source, the pump delivers a supply of groundwater to a pressure tank, which is then delivered to the home. Additional filters can be installed anywhere between the tank and the taps.
A pressurized well system requires extra handiwork and installation procedures. Most pressurized wells require a check valve, a pressure tank, a relief valve, a pressure switch, and a boiler drain. This help control the amount of pressure delivered to the pipeline running from the well to the storage tank or tap system. They can get quite complicated, depending on the depth of the well, the volume of water used, and whatever sort of filtration of water softening system you have in place.
Rain harvesters begin with the catchment. This refers to the area from which the rainwater is collected and diverted to a storage tank. This can be as simple as a sheet of vinyl with a hose fixed to a hole in the center, which directs water to a bucket. Or it can be as sophisticated as a wet delivery system, which directs rainwater from an overflow spout to a storage tank through an underground pipeline.
Here are the basics of any rain harvester: Some sort of rain catcher of drainage system collects rainwater and directs it to a drain. In most cases this is just a roof gutter system with a downspout and some fill piping that runs to a tank. This is usually called a “dry” delivery system. A “wet” delivery system, on the other hand, is more complicated and is intended for properties where the storage tank is far from the catchment area. Wet harvesters rely on gravity and pressure differentials to channel water from the collection area to a storage tank via an underground pipe. Because they travel underground and sit below the level of both the tank and the catchment area, the pipes remain full of water even when it’s not raining. Some people prefer wet systems because much of the system, particularly the pipes, are buried underground and out of sight. But they are more expensive to build.
If you’re installing a water harvester, you’ll also need an overflow spout on your storage tank. This provides an escape route for overflow water while also ensuring the concrete foundation that the tank sits on does not erode from runoff. Some tanks come with an overflow spout already installed, but others require you to install one yourself.
The first thing to understand is that wells and rain harvesters, apart from involving wildly different expenses and installation processes, are not alternative solutions. For one, not everyone can build a well; and two, rainwater harvesting should be thought of as a complementary source of water, not a primary source.
There is also a host of environmental factors that determine the feasibility of each water source: Areas with significant ground pollution, prohibitive regulations, or low water tables can defeat the value of installing a well. Moreover, wells deplete water tables over time and interfere with the groundwater recharge process.
Because they are only meant to complement an existing water source, rainwater harvesters are not always a smart investment. The expense of building and installing one may exceed the returns of gathering water when a cheap municipal supply is already available. A little math may be in order to calculate the return on investment. To rely entirely on rainwater would require a vast catchment area, sizable storage tanks, as well as a climate that delivers plenty of rain.
Some homeowners may opt for both: A well with a rain harvester. This is a more sustainable solution because it makes use of the two primary sources of water available in areas without a municipal supply. With both a well and a harvester, each source serves as a backup supply to the other. Groundwater collection is moderated, helping to sustain the water table, and a source of soft water is available through the rain. Of course, this is a more expensive option than installing one or the other, and you’ll still need a filtration system to treat each source accordingly.
Regardless of which system you think you need; it’s recommended that you first hire an expert to survey your property. As discussed, you need to account for local environmental conditions, regulations, and municipal options. Inserting a water supply into the Earth’s natural water cycle can strain the system in unforeseen ways. It’s important that your water collection does not overburden the cycle, leading to groundwater depletion, hard water accumulation, or improperly treated drinking supplies.
Whatever your needs, Go To Tanks has a large selection of water storage tanks for rain harvesting, groundwater wells, or even municipal supplies. Our tanks come in a number of different sizes, styles, and colors, and can help you regardless of how you get your water.
Call 1-877-468-2657 and we’ll help you find a tank that fits your needs.
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