On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 20:33:17 GMT, Speedy Jim wrote:

Robert Green wrote:

My friend lives in an area where city water fails when electric power fails
(at least it has in the past).

What are the options available for single family homes to provide "off the
grid" water for a few days at least for a family of 3 or 4? I assume that
you'd need some tanks and bypass valves and a battery operated pump. Anyone
know how much that might cost.

Any leads or ideas would be appreciated. I'll be Googling on several
factors, especially the hazards of bio-nasties growing in large tanks of
water. I'm assuming these tanks would be on line and thus constantly have
the water changing just like a standard water heater.

TIA,

The best option I know of is to hook up a bladderless 50-gallon
pressure tank like the ones they use for well-systems, with a
check-valve on the city-side of it so it can't drain backwards,
and *NOT* pressurise the system. Set it up on a pedestal
at least 18" high.

When the water shuts off, you open a faucet upstairs,
then go down into the basement with a bucket, and collect
the water you need from the sill-cock on the pressure tank.

This assumes that your hot water heater is off when
the power's out, too. If it's not, you have to
make sure that you don't somehow drain that, else
loud noises may result.

If you expect to need more water than that,
consider sinking a well, and stocking up
on chlorine and iodine.