A cistern can be a lifesaver during a drought.
Underground water cisterns can provide multiple benefits to your property and to the greater environment. For example, a cistern will supply you with water for domestic and gardening use during dry periods. In addition, a large cistern helps to reduce runoff problems during heavy rains by storing water rather than sending it into urban storm drains. Depending on the size of cistern you buy, you can store anywhere from 300 to 2,000 gallons of water, an amount that could last a household several months. Cistern water should be used only for gardens and household purposes; do not drink it. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dig a hole that is 48 inches longer, wider and deeper than the cistern that you are installing. Do this yourself with a shovel if you need the exercise, or hire someone with a backhoe.
2. Put 12 inches of well-packed sand or fine gravel in the bottom of the hole.
3. Put the cistern into the hole and center it so that there is 24 inches of space on each side of it. Fill in 12 inches of gravel around the bottom of the sides of the cistern.
4. Put water into the cistern up to a level equal with the gravel outside it.
5. Compact the gravel with a tamper or a gas-powered compactor.
6. Continue to add gravel and then water in 12-inch sections, compacting each section of gravel as you progress. By adding gravel and water in this way, you prevent the sides of the cistern from bowing in or out.
7. Attach access hatches to the top of the cistern if you are using a model that requires you to maintain access to the interior of the cistern. Install the vent in the top of the cistern. The vent is required to prevent air pressure from fluctuating inside the cistern as it gets filled with rainwater and empties into the house or garden.
8. Install gravel over the top of the cistern, carefully compacting it around the inflow and outlet pipes.
9. Stop the gravel 6 or 8 inches below ground level. Cover it with topsoil so you can cover the cistern area with plants.
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