When you’re living off the grid, securing access to safe, clean drinking water can be a challenge. If you’re using solar power with no grid backup, you won’t have access to your main supply of filtered well water in your home at night or when there’s no sun. Getting enough water pressure can also be a challenge if your solar power is inconsistent. However, with the right equipment and some workarounds, you can get access to safe, reliable drinking water year-round.
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A water pressure booster pump
When you rely on an electric well pump, you need a pressurized water storage tank to get that water into your home. Without a pressure tank, your pump will cycle on and off repeatedly and fail prematurely. With a pressure tank, your well pump will operate long enough to fill the tank and will only cycle on again when needed. However, sometimes that pressure isn’t enough.
If you’re struggling with pressure issues, a simple fix is to adjust your pressure switch settings by increasing the cut-in and cut-out pressure just a tad. If that doesn’t work, you probably need a booster pump. If your plumbing runs are long, you have multiple stories, or you’re using a gravity-fed tank, weak water pressure can be resolved with a booster pump.
A typical booster pump can increase water pressure by 30-70 PSI, depending on where you place it.
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A high-capacity water storage tank
Water storage tanks are essential when you’re off grid. Whether you’re sourcing water from a well or catching rain, large storage tanks will ensure your household has a reliable supply of water no matter what. However, a pressurized water storage tank is the best way to get pressurized water into your home. If you don’t already have one, it’s worth the investment.
Since gravity creates natural pressure, an elevated water tank can provide even better water pressure than the tank by itself. You can place your water tank on a platform or even a hillside if you have one on your property. Even a little bit of elevation can improve performance and keep your pump from constantly running.
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A water softener and filtration system
If you’re on a well, you need both water filtration and a water softener. If your water is high in iron or iron bacteria, you’ll need a good water softener to avoid slime and ensure your sinks and laundry don’t turn orange.
A good well water filtration system will have sediment filtration in addition to standard activated carbon and iron filtration. However, it doesn’t hurt to add additional filters like a pre-filter that collects particles before the water hits your regular filters. Aggressively filtering your water makes it safer to drink and removes particles that can damage your pump and clog your pipes.
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A UV water purification system
Ultraviolet (UV) water purification will kill microorganisms using UV light. This type of system will eliminate over 99.9% of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that commonly contaminate water. Although it’s great for wells even with existing filtration systems in place, it’s absolutely essential if you’re catching rainwater and have no other filtration.
Since UV purifiers consume less electricity compared to other systems, they’re perfect for solar-powered homes where energy conservation is critical.
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A water testing kit
Even the best water filtration system can’t guarantee safe water without regular testing. Water testing kits allow you to monitor levels of contamination to make sure your water is being filtered properly. If you’re on a well, you should be testing your water once a year for bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants, and then adding treatments according to your findings.
A basic water testing kit will detect bacteria like E. coli and other contaminants that are harmful to your health. You can also test for hard minerals like calcium and magnesium. If you’re installing a new well, consider adding a digital water quality monitor with sensors that will continuously track your water quality.
Build a reliable off-grid water system
Living off the grid requires a proactive approach to managing the efficiency and safety of your water source. Unlike city water that cycles through a central treatment plant, you need to manage everything on your property. To have access to reliable water, you need adequate storage tanks, water filters and softeners, pressure boosters, and testing regimens.
By investing in the right equipment, you can get clean, safe drinking water inside your home regardless of your location.
