A Deep Dive into Off Grid Water Systems: Homestead Water Solutions

Written by Regina Cal
Published on March 15, 2019

Last Updated on March 9, 2024

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Building an off grid water system is one of the biggest factors when setting up a homestead. However, even if the property does not have access to water, there are still effective ways to get water to your homestead (more on that below).

An off-grid water system operates independently from a municipal water supply, and provides homesteaders with a viable water source that makes us self-sufficient, sustainable, and saves on water costs. These systems enable us to gather, filter, and utilize water resources in a way that is both responsible and resourceful.

There are several factors to consider when setting up your off grid water system. I wrote this guide to help you achieve a  comprehensive understanding of off-grid water systems, covering different kinds of water sources, methods to retrieve water, and needed equipment. 

I will also briefly discuss filtration and purification for your off grid water system. 

I recommend bookmarking this article as there will be a lot of material discussed so you may want to refer back to it often.

Part One: Off Grid Water Sources

The biggest detail in building a homestead water system is knowing where your water is coming from. As I mentioned above you don't need water on the property to inhabit it, but I personally feel that securing a source of water on your land is super important to achieve the highest state of self-sufficiency and sustainability. 

Let's dive into the sources you can utilize for your off grid water system. 

1. Haul in Water to Your Homestead

Hauling in water from a water depot or local reservoir is a great temporary solution to getting on your land as soon as possible while you are building your permanent water infrastructure.

You can also rely on hauling water as a permanent solution, but I advise working on a water solution that is directly on your property for the maximum off grid experience. 

Pros and Cons to Hauling Water to a Homestead 

Pros:

  • Get started homesteading immediately without setting up a water system first
  • Water from a public source is readily available, consistent, and doesn't need filtration
  • Hauling your own water is pretty cheap. My cost was $20 for the first 10,000 gallons
  • The initial investment is low in comparison to a permanent infrastructure

Cons: 

  • Hauling water is a big pain. Its time consuming and laborious
  • You do not have control over the water source and what is being added into the water
  • If you lost access to the water source, it could jeopardize your homestead in a big way
  • Ongoing costs including fuel, vehicle maintenance, or hiring a water delivery service

The Logistics of Hauling in Water to Your Homestead

There are three main logistical challenges you will need to address before hauling water to your homestead: 

  • Where will you get the water from?
  • How will you transport the water?
  • How much water do you need?
  • How will you store the hauled water?

Let's go over each challenge so you can come up with a good game plan. 

Where will you get the water from?

I had to haul in my own water for about six months on my homestead. I was fortunate enough to have a water depot only seven miles away from me that was available 24/7. They only treated the water with a bit of chlorine so the water was good and fresh. 

You can look into a water depot near you. Call your local fire department for water depots in rural areas. 

You can see if your local municipal water supply allows you to haul water directly from their water plant. Some do, some don't. 

Many local reservoirs allow rural residents to draw off their water supply. 

Or, if you have a natural resource nearby, you can dip into a stream, river, or lake. Just check and make sure that is allowed so you don't run into trouble with the law. 

How much water do you need?

Assess your household's water consumption to determine how often you'll need to haul water. Be sure to account for drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing, and any livestock or gardening needs.

I used a 230 gallon IBC tank for my water hauling and I found myself going to the water depot twice a month. I was very conservative with my water usage, including limited showers, and low level of dish washing. 

Once I started the garden, I was going once a week. Gardening and livestock takes a whole lot of water even if you are trying to conserve. At this point I did get my well setup and that relieved me of a lot of stress from hauling the water. 

How will you transport the water?

You can either put a water tank in the back of your truck, or get a trailer and put a tank on that. Make sure to account for the weight of the water and make sure your truck and trailer are rated to haul the weight. 

1 Gallon = 8.03 lbs

If you purchase a 300 gallon water tank, it will weigh 2,409 lbs. A RAM 1500 has a maximum payload of 2,300 lbs in the bed of the truck. So a 300 gallon tank is a bit too big for a small full size truck. 

You could fill up your tank less, but I don't like doing that, especially on the trailer. This is because the water sloshes around and throws the weight of the water from the front and to the back, and you can feel this while you are towing. It is best to get a smaller tank and fill it to 100% capacity so the water does not slosh. 

How will you store the water?

If you are loading your water in a tank on a trailer, you can park your trailer and eliminate having to move your water into a stationary water tank. But if you are using a tank in your truck bed, you will need to move the water from your truck tank into a stationary tank. 

You can easily do this by utilizing a water pump system. I recommend using a large gas powered transfer pump for this job to speed up the process. I like using the gas powered pump because you don't need to be connected to power which makes the pump transportable and it moves a ton of water fast. This 2 inch pump will move a whole tank of water in about 10 minutes or less. 

gas powered water pump


Recommended Water Hauling Tanks and Trailers

I've explored a lot of water tank companies and availability as I use quite a bit of tanks on my property, and I have found a couple of vendors that I am super happy with their quality and prices. 

Truck Bed Water Hauling Tanks for Sale

Tank Depot offers this low profile 305 gallon water tank for a truck bed. I like the low profile tanks as they catch less wind and there is less water sloshing. Do note that this is meant to rest on the wheel wells of a truck for support when the tank is full, so only fill it when in the truck bed. 

The tank fits pickup truck beds with a minimum of 59" of length and 61" in width.

truck bed water tank for hauling water

Tank Depot also has a round 200 gallon truck bed water tank for a better price. This type of truck bed tank is more common and also sits over the wheel wells allowing for more capacity. This one is quite a bit cheaper than the low profile tank. 

round truck bed tank for hauling water

Utility Trailers for Hauling Water

Trust me, you are going to need a trailer for all sorts of projects on your homestead. I recommend having a good sturdy utility trailer for your off grid needs. 

If I am buying a new trailer, I purchase them from Tractor Supply. They have good trailers at decent prices and they also come with warranties. You can purchase the trailer online and then pick up locally. 

Just make sure to calculate the towing capacity of the trailer in relation to how heavy your water tank will be at full capacity. 

standard utility trailer for hauling water

2. Using Water from a Natural Water Source

You can utilize the water that already exists on your property as your main water source. This could be a lake, pond, river, stream, or creek. A natural spring would be even better! Not all of us are fortunate enough to have water on our property.

Even for those of us that do, there are some considerations to make before choosing this to be your natural water source.

Pros and Cons for Using a Natural Water Source Off Grid

Pros

  • Water source is very convenient; no need to haul in or drill for water.
  • Less worry about heavy contaminants and minerals in flowing water, unlike a well.
  • If water is located higher than your homestead, you can use the power of gravity instead of a pump.
  • You can build close to the water source meaning less plumbing and pumping.

Cons

  • Water source may not flow year around or may dry up due to sporadic droughts.
  • Water may be cloudy, murky, or stagnant. Still usable but will require lots of filtering.
  • Water source may freeze over during the winter.
  • Location of water may not be ideal. You may have to run lots of piping to get water to where you need it.

Obstacles and Solutions For using an Off Grid Natural Water Source

We need to address some of the concerns about using a water body as your off grid water source, and then come up with solutions for those concerns.

Your water source may not be year round.You may have a beautiful creek that runs for the spring and into summer, then dries up in the fall. I suggest that you use that water for half the year, and then switch over to a cistern system for the other half. You can fill your cistern tanks while the water source is still running, and then haul in water for the remainder of the year, if needed.

 If your water source freezes during the winter, you can use the strategy mentioned above. Use the water source for as long as you can, then switch to a water tank system.

Your water will have to travel a long way to its destination. You will need to calculate how much distance and rise there is from your water source to its destination. Then, you can plan accordingly on what size water pump you need and what size pipe to use.

There are obstacles in the way from the water to the destination. This could be boulders, ravines, dense forest, etc. You can try to clear and level the path, as you want your piping to run as straight and direct as possible to the source.

The water source is murky, cloudy, stagnant. If this is the case, you can still use the water, you will just have to take some additional steps to cleaning up the water for potable use. This can be done by digging a sump hole near the water source and using a series of filters to clean it up.

Off grid water sources, a dry creek, frozen lake, and pond

Now that we have addressed the obstacles and solutions, let's move on to how to set up your off grid water system properly.

How To Build Your Off Grid Natural Water Source System

There are so many methods of how you can utilize a natural water source, but there are some basics that need to be addressed for a sound foundation. 

Step One: Build A Sump Hole In The Water Source

Trust me, you don't want to just throw your pump into the water and hope for the best! You want to take some time and set up a proper sump hole to suck the water out of in order to minimize debris. I suggest doing this for all water sources, unless it's a deep, clear running spring.

Dig a hole right next to the water source. Dig it down fairly deep, enough to create a flowing pool of water.

Once you have dug the hole, fill in the bottom with large rocks. This will help it from getting filled in with mush. You can also add in a layer of sand that will help filter out even more contaminants.

Off grid water pump system diagram with sump pump
Diagram of off grid water sump pump system

Step Two: Lower A Pump into the Sump Hole

Unless you can leverage gravity for your water system, you will need to use pumps and piping to get the water where it needs to be.

Although you can use a standard utility pump to pull the water out of the hole, I highly recommend using a submersible sump pump to push the water instead. Pulling water uphill with a pump can only travel a couple dozen feet, whereas pushing the water can travel a much farther distance.

This Wayne Waterbug submersible pump is sturdy, reliable, and pumps out a whopping 900 gallons per hour at 10 feet of head!

wayne waterbug sump pump

There is no on/off switch so to cut power to the pump you need to either pull the power plug or plug into an outlet with a switch. I would personally recommend pumping the water into a holding tank, as discussed in the off grid cistern system below. 

Once you have chosen your submersible sump pump, don't just throw it into the sump hole! If you do that, your pump can suck in all sorts of debris and clog up your system. You will want to build an enclosure around your pump so it doesn't bounce along the bottom of the hole. You can use a bucket and drill some holes into it, or purchase a pump enclosure or screen to go around it. I found these submersible pump screen bags for cheap. 

I also recommend elevating your pump so it is not touching the ground, sucking up sand, mud or debris.

mesh bag for sump pump

Step Three: Running Power to Your Water Pump Safely

Your pump will need power to run, of course! We want to run power safely and effectively. This can be done by running a power cord over a short distance, or setting up a solar power pumping system.

I personally do not like the idea of running a power cord out in the open as it can get damaged. You can resolve this easily by running your cord through some buried PVC conduit. Run your cable as straight as possible and do not accumulate 360 degrees of angles.

If you are handy with electricity (I am not at all) then you can run electrical cables from your breaker box into a GFCI outlet and plug in your pump to there, as shown below.

safe outdoor electrical diagram for water pump

If your pump is too far to run power to, I suggest setting up a solar power pump system. There are solar power pump kits, but they just suck, so I recommend building your own.

I wrote a detailed article about how to set up a solar power drip irrigation system. The second half of the article is devoted to setting up a solar powered pump system on a timer. Check it out!

Step Four: Running the Water to a Holding Tank

I suggest pumping the water to a holding tank near your homestead. This way, you can turn on your submersible sump pump and fill the tank as needed. Then, you can run all your plumbing needs from the water tank, including the water pressure tank.

Here are some tips to consider when running pipe (or hose) to the water tank:

  • How far the pipe runs - for a 500 foot run, pipe should be about 2 inches diameter.
  • 90 degree angles - sharp angles cause strain on the system so try to design your pipe to be as straight and direct as possible.
  • Elevation change - on top of accounting for water head, you need to think about the elevation from the water source to the destination. This is called suction lift.

In order to calculate suction lift, you need to figure out the vertical distance from your pump to its destination. You can easily do this by using the Pythagorean Theorum. Once you have your vertical distance calculated, you can then use the pump manufacturer's information to determine suction lift.

Diagram to calculate vertical distance for water pump suction lift

3. Install an Off Grid Well Water System

Historically, our pioneering forefathers dug wells by hand, using shovels. This was an arduous task, not to mention dangerous.

The well was made to be wide enough to accommodate two men shoveling. As the men got lower into the ground, they lined the well with brick or stone to prevent collapse.

They stopped digging once the water in the well was coming in too fast to bail out by hand.

Vintage photo of men drilling a well by hand
Vintage photo of men drilling a well by hand

Although it would seem that a well is the best choice for an off grid property, this is not always the case. Check out the pros and cons to see if installing a well is a good choice for you.

Pros and Cons for Using a Water Well Off Grid

Pros

  • A well can offer up consistent water year round for decades, possibly even longer.
  • Depending on your location, water from the aquifer can be very clean and fresh.
  • If you install uphill from the destination, you may not need to add a water pressure tank.
  • You can choose the location for your well to be installed.

Cons

  • Wells are very expensive to install professionally.
  • Well water can be highly mineralized (hard water).
  • Wells can dry up.
  • The water table may be so deep on your property that it is not worth trying to drill a well.

Obstacles and Solutions for Using an Off Grid Well Water System

Wells are very expensive. According to Home Advisor, just drilling a 150 foot well (not any other expenses) costs an average of $5,500. If you decide to have all the components installed for you such as the casing pipe, pressure storage tank, water treatment, and water heater, you are adding an expense of $4,000 to $10,000. A complete artisan well system can be around $10,000 to $20,000.

Not only are wells expensive, they are in high demand. You could be looking at 6 months to a year before an installer comes out.

It is possible to install your own well, especially if your water table is shallow. You may be able to do part of the installation (such as the drilling) and save several thousands of dollars. If you do decide to make a DIY well, do lots of research before you attempt and prepare for lots of manual labor and expensive equipment rental. 

Wells can have water quality issues. Wells can have lots of minerals and contaminants in the water. If you live in heavy farmland, there can be e.Coli in the water from waste from livestock. There can be pesticides from nearby fields. Here are common contaminants found in well water:

  • Dissolved minerals and salts like calcium, magnesium, and sodium. These minerals cause hard water and can cause skin irritation and eventually ruin appliances and clothing.
  • Heavy metals and trace elements. Iron, lead, radon, and boron are all common metal contaminates in well water.
  • Chemicals and nitrates from farms. If your property is near a farm, take heed that pesticides and fertilizers can leach nitrates and phosphates into your groundwater.
  • Cryptosporidium and e.Coli can be found in well water and is found more prevelantly in shallow wells. The deeper the well, the less likely for these pathogens to occur.
  • Well water can also be discolored, cloudy, have a bad taste or odor. All of these could be a sign of contamination and toxicity and will need to be researched.
Calcium buildup on pipes and plumbing
Calcium buildup on pipes and plumbing

I suggest having your water quality tested before drilling the well. Yes, it is an additional expense. But, if you end up with a water contamination issue, you will save thousands on expensive filtering equipment. You can also make a sound decision on if it is worth drilling the well if you find your water is sour.

If you already have a well that is experiencing water quality issues, you can install filters and purifiers. This can be very expensive, depending on what needs to be cleansed from the water. You also have to consider the costs of replacing filters on a regular basis.

You can combat well water quality issues with a filtration system. I wrote extensively about this topic in my Guide To Whole House Well Water Filtration Systems article. Check it out!

Wells have been known to dry up for no apparent reason. Drought can be a cause of decreased well water production; some wells simply dry up over time. The lifespan of a well is only 20 – 30 years, so plan accordingly.

There are usually telltale signs when your well is going dry. There could be a change in taste. The sediments that have built up in the bottom of the well become concentrated as the water supply drops. Other warning signs are pumps that are having to run longer and harder, sputtering faucets, and murky water.

Problem wells can sometimes be solved by deepening the well or lowering the pump, but an inspection will have to determine the best solution.

5 Different Types of Well Systems

Shallow wells range from 10 to 30 feet in depth and are used when the water table is relatively close to the surface. Shallow well systems can be hand dug. The issue with shallow wells is that bacteria and viruses are more likely to occur. You will need to filter and purify your water for potability.

Deep wells range from 100 to 800 feet in depth, but can exceed 1,000 feet in depth. Most properties with professionally installed wells are deep wells. Deep wells are drilled out with heavy equipment. Deep well water is at a lower risk of being contaminated but can face issues such as hard water quality, which will require cleanup for potability.

Driven wells are a shallow well system that is built by driving pipe into the ground, usually no more than thirty feet. A screened well point is attached to the bottom to not suck up any debris. You can build a driven well fairly easily and economically, but the water will need to be filtered and purified for potability.

Diagram of driven shallow well hand water pump
Diagram of driven shallow hand well pump

Dug wells are dug by hand with shovels or bored and are wide and shallow. Dug wells are then lined with stone or brick to prevent cave-ins. These are good wells to utilize if the water table is shallow but can be easily contaminated as the well is so wide. It can also face periodic dry ups during times of drought.

Drilled wells are deep wells drilled out by professionals by using a rotary drilling machine. The casing around the well is filled with grout to prevent contamination from seeping down from the top surface. This is the ideal choice of well but are very expensive to install and do require professional maintenance here and there, like if a pump burns out or the well fills in or is drying up.

Special note on digging a well by hand

Let’s face it. Hand digging a well. Is. Hard! There are manual hand augers that are specifically designed for digging a shallow well. However, I recommend purchasing a motorized auger to save you tons of time and toiling.

Most motorized augers run on fuel. This creates the need to constantly refuel and creates fumes that will waft up into your face.

I found this badass electric hand auger that is highly efficient. It creates no fumes, is much quieter and only weighs 22 lbs. It uses a lithium-ion battery that holds a charge for auguring 195 feet per charge.

I also like that you can add any 8″ bit to 3/4″ shaft to this machine, so you can get an extension bit to drill a well. Of course, actually auguring a well with a hand held auger would be extremely challenging and take quite a lot of planning. I don't even know if you could get to the proper depth with this method. But I bet it is possible! 

It’s expensive, but worth it if you are attempting to hand dig a well, need to install fence posts, etc. This machine has tons of high quality reviews from purchasers. 

electric hand auger

If you have taken notice, water pumps are practically an essential tool in most off grid water system designs. I dedicated an entire article to 10 Off Grid Water Pumping Systems to help you decide how you are going to move that water. Check it out!

4: Off Grid Water Tank Cistern System

An off grid water tank system makes it possible to settle on a property that does not have a water source or a feasible water table. You can also use a cistern temporarily while you are installing your main water system. This is a good choice for properties that only have seasonal water flow as well.

This is how we are addressing our water situation while waiting for our well to be drilled. We now have 4 IBC tanks, 2 for the garden, 1 for the house, and 1 for transport. Yes, its a pain to haul water. But I would rather be off grid bringing in water than waiting for months for our well to be drilled!

Pros and Cons for Using a Water Tank Cistern System Off Grid

Pros

  • You can settle on a property that does not have access to water.
  • You can set up a cistern system temporarily while building a more permanent water system on your property.
  • A cistern system can be the solution to seasonal water flows.
  • You can choose the location and move the system around as needed.

Cons

  • You will need to haul in your own water or pay someone to haul in water for you.
  • The water you haul in will likely be from a municipal source which will have chlorine, flouride, and other treatments in the water.
  • Cisterns need to be washed out yearly. They are not maintenance free.
  • The system can be costly when factoring in trailer, truck, tank, pump, and fittings.

Obstacles and Solutions for Off Grid Water Hauling

Hauling in water is time-consuming and can get expensive. If you really want to get technical, hauling in water from a municipal system is not exactly off grid either. If your local municipal water source is contaminated or unavailable, you will need to have a backup resource handy.

You may also be too far to collect water from a municipal system to make it even feasible.

If possible, collect water from a local natural water source. You can use a submersible sump pump to fill your water tank. Just make sure to filter out contaminates before drinking. 

If you have to use municipal water as your main source of water, at least you will not have to worry about filtering or purifying it. However, municipal water is full of crud including chlorine and flouride. I would suggest cleaning it up a bit, at least for drinking. You can install a whole house water filtration system to get rid of the crud.

I also advise to locate a backup water source location just in case your municipality fails.

Cleaning a cistern tank is a hassle, and it needs to be done yearly, there is just no way around it. You can get away with 2-3 years cleaning schedule if you use water from a municipal source. However, natural water sources, including rainwater, will introduce sediments and sludge into the cistern.

man cleaning out a cistern water tank

You can do some preventive maintenance by running your water through a filter before entering the cistern. Also, place your cistern where you can access it easily. If you are installing an underground cistern system, make sure to keep your manhole clear and accessible. Do not cover it up!

Special Note

Warm, stagnant water sitting in a cistern is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, no matter if you use municipal or wild water.Covering your tank with a dark tarp will help. 

You can also disinfect your water naturally by using a UV disinfection system.

I prefer UV water purification because it adds no chemicals into your water and doesn’t rely on expensive filters.

Check out this HQUA UV disinfection system for your water! It installs super easy and will cleanse your water of bacteria and viruses instantly. 

HQUA UV purifier

Collecting Rainwater in Barrels

Collecting rainwater is an excellent backup water source for your off grid lifestyle. You can collect rainwater anywhere! For some areas, like Washington, you could probably collect enough rainwater to last year round!

The best way to capture rainwater is to use a large surface, such as a roof, to guide the rainwater into a collection barrel. This can be done by installing gutters around the perimeter of the roof, then installing a downspout that pours the water into a barrel.

Barrels designed specifically for catching rain have a hose spout on the bottom so you want to have the barrel on a platform, elevated from the ground. A pump can be attached to the spout and the collected water can be stored in a larger holding tank, or a succession of barrels can be attached to each other for storage.

rainwater-barrel-collection-systems
Various rainwater barrel collection systems

Do note that you need to purify your rainwater! This is due to potential rogue bird turds.

If you are looking for a vast selection of rain barrels in all sorts of shapes and sized, pay a visit to Rainwater Harvest Systems. They have the hugest selection of rain barrels and storage tanks online and have a solid reputation in their industry.

How to Transport Water from the Source to the Water Tank

If you are relying on hauling in your own water, you will need to have a truck with a water tank installed in the bed or use a trailer to haul the tank. A great choice for a water tank is a food-grade IBC tank. This eliminates the hassle and cost of hauling around barrels.

IBC tanks are sturdy, sloped at the bottom for full emptying, have a drain spout on the bottom, and have a removable lid on the top. The tanks are enclosed in an aluminum cage for easy loading and securing. They are also square which makes a 275 gallon tank fit easily on the bed of a truck or trailer without any wasted space.

You can buy a new 275 gallon food grade IBC tank for around $500. Refurbished and reconditioned IBC tanks go for the $150 mark. You can purchase a non-food grade tank for even cheaper, but that is ill-advised.

There are also prefabricated tanks specifically designed to fit on the bed of a truck. This 305 gallon tank is molded to fit over wheel wells and has an aerodynamic design.

trucks with water tanks installed in the bed

How to Calculate the Size of Your Cistern Tank

According to the USGS, the average person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day. That is a whole lot of water, and I am sure that you can whittle that figure way down, especially when adapting to an off grid lifestyle. So lets say you get that number down to 25 gallons per day per person, and you have a 4 person household.

That brings us to 100 gallons per day, which I think is doable. Now, if you want 7 days of water, that is 700 gallons. So you will want to purchase a tank that is at least 700 gallons.

You also want to account for storing extra water on the property for unexpected situations like a long term drought or even possibly fighting a fire. Now we are looking at a 1,000 gallon tank.

If you have a 250 gallon cistern on the back of your truck, you are looking at 4 round trips once a week to keep up with your water usage. You can put a water tank in the bed of your truck and on a trailer and knock that down to 2 trips. It sounds like a lot of work, because it is. That is why I recommend to only be reliant on a cistern for a partial year or use one while developing another water system.

Installing an Underground Water Cistern

If your climate freezes during the winter, or you have limited space, an underground cistern is a good choice for you.

When choosing the underground option, you need to purchase a cistern that is designed for subterranean use. There is extra pressure from the weight of the soil that an underground cistern is specially designed to handle.

An underground cistern tank

Place your cistern at a minimum of 12-28″ depth to keep pipes from freezing upon entering and exiting the unit. You may have to place your tank deeper, depending on how deep the ground freezes in your area.

Check with your cistern manufacturer to see the maximum depth that the cistern can handle. It can only be buried so deep to withstand pressure from the dirt. If you install a cistern too deep from the manufacturer’s guidelines, your tank can literally crumple from the weight of the surrounding dirt!

Are you looking for a good selection of water storage tanks? They are not all that easy to come by . . .

I suggest checking out Rain Harvest Systems for the most massive inventory of water tanks online! They have 4.5 out of 5 rating from hundreds of purchasers and are based out of Atlanta, Georgia.

Section 4: Pressure Water Tanks For Water Pressure

Unless you can place your water source at a steep enough incline from your homestead, you will need the help from a pressure water tank to give you the water pressure you need for your off grid water system.

A pressure tank works by creating water pressure from compressed air that bears down on the water. When the valve gets opened, the water is forcefully pushed from that air in the tank.

Once the pressure drops to a certain low, the tank’s water pump turns on and more water fills the tank; this is the cycle of the pressure water tank.

The larger the tank, the fewer cycles, therefore less runtime.

The proper sizing of the tank is crucial to limit premature pump failure. When in doubt, go larger.

Calculating Pressure Water Tank Size

  1. Determine the Gallons per Minute (GPM) of your pump. This will be given by the manufacturer. This is known as your Flow Rate. Let’s go with 5 GPM for the example.
  2. Calculate the hours of water use per day. This is known as your Runtime. Calculate in your showers, dishwashing, handwashing, toilet flushes, and any appliances that use water. For convenience, let’s go with 5 hours per day.
  3. Know the cut-in cut-out PSI of your pressure switch. This could be an unknown variable as you may not own a pressure tank yet. Let’s go with a standard of 40 PSI.

Now apply this calculation:

Flow Rate * Runtime = Tank Drawdown.

Tank drawdown is not tank volume; the drawdown is the amount of water stored or delivered between the pump shutting off and restarting.

In our example, our drawdown capacity is 25 gallons. We need to make sure that the pump we are using matches the drawdown capacity of the tank we purchase.

0 – 10 GPM pump requires a 10 gallon drawdown.

11 – 20 GPM pump requires 1.5 times the drawdown. Example: 15 GPM pump * 1.5 = 22.5 gallon drawdown.

20+ GMP pump requires 2 times the drawdown. Example 25 GPM pump * 2 = 50 gallon drawdown.

We also need to figure out the PSI of the setting. The most common PSI settings in a pressure water tank are 30/50, 40/60, 50/70.

Note that the low number is the pressure when the pump turns on and the high number represents the pressure when the pump turns off.

Here is the chart to figure out the PSI setting in relation to tank size.

Chart of PSI setting in relation to tank size for pressure water tank

For our example, our 25 gallon drawdown capacity need is met with an 81 gallon tank at 30/50 PSI. I would air on the side of caution and bump that up to an 86 gallon tank.

Calculations courtesy of RCWorst.com.

In the market for a water pressure tank? Check out these Water Worker pressure tanks. The price is right and the brand is known for their reliability and durability.

With hundreds of good reviews to back it up, I feel confident purchasing one of these to pressurize my well water or water storage system.

waterworker pressurized water tank

Special Note: Off Grid Water Filtration and Purification

No matter what system you choose, all the water flowing through your off grid water system will need to be filtered.

The cloudier and murkier the water, the more layers of filtration will be required. Crystal clear snowmelt from the mountains of Montana will require far less filtration than the warm murky waters of the South.

You will also need to purify drinking water to eliminate microbials such as bacteria, viruses, and cysts. This is an additional process on top of water filtration.

I have written quite a few guides in relation to off grid water filtration and purification:

If you want some more off grid water ideas, check out Off Grid Maker’s article on off grid water system strategies.

In Conclusion

Building an off grid water system is not easy or cheap. There are a multitude of considerations to make that you normally don't have to think about when connected to a municipal water system.

However, with some ingenuity, creativity, and elbow grease, you can get your water set up and it may even run better than city water! It will taste better too.

I really hope you enjoyed this article! Please feel free to leave a relevant comment below.

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Regina Cal is a solo homesteader on 30 acres in Southern Arizona. She specializes in off grid water system design, homestead gardening, minimalism, and self-sufficiency.

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