[Advanced ASH #6] Summary:
This guide shows you how to build durable, scalable, off-grid water systems for survival agriculture, personal use, and group resilience. It includes low-tech filtration, rain catchment, irrigation, pressure systems, and underground storage — on a tight budget.
1️⃣ WATER SYSTEMS: THE 3 SURVIVAL TIERS
| Tier | Function |
|---|---|
| Tier 1: Clean Drinking Water | Filtration, purification |
| Tier 2: Agricultural Water | Irrigation, graywater reuse |
| Tier 3: Long-Term Storage | Cisterns, buried tanks, seasonal use |
✅ Every off-grid site needs all three tiers working in harmony.
2️⃣ CORE PRINCIPLES OF OFF-GRID WATER DESIGN
- Gravity > Pumps.
- Catchment > Hauling.
- Redundancy > Convenience.
- Start high, store low. Use terrain.
- Filtration before storage saves effort.
3️⃣ DRINKING WATER: FILTRATION & PURIFICATION SYSTEMS
A) Basic Low-Budget Methods
| Method | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling | Emergency only | Fuel-intensive |
| Bleach disinfection | Short-term | Use sparingly |
| Sawyer Mini filter | Long-term use | Budget gold |
| Berkey-style gravity system (DIY) | Daily use | $70-150 build |
| Bio-sand filter | Scalable | Clay, sand, charcoal DIY |
✅ Pre-filter all water with cloth if muddy.
✅ Replace or clean filters regularly.
4️⃣ RAIN CATCHMENT SYSTEMS (ROOFTOP HARVESTING)
| Component | DIY Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Metal preferred | Avoid asphalt shingles |
| Gutters | Reclaimed or new | Mesh guards prevent clogging |
| First flush diverter | PVC trap + ball valve | Removes dirty initial runoff |
| Storage barrels | Food-grade barrels | 55-gallon drums ideal |
| Screen | Nylon or mesh | Prevents mosquito larvae, debris |
✅ 1,000 sq ft of roof = ~600 gallons from 1 inch of rain.
5️⃣ WATER STORAGE OPTIONS (BUDGET & SCALABLE)
| Method | Capacity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 55-gallon barrels | Per barrel | $20–$40 each |
| IBC totes (275–330 gal) | High | $100–$250 used |
| Buried cisterns (1000+ gal) | High | $500–$2000 DIY |
| Underground ferrocement tanks | Long lifespan | $2000+ but lasts decades |
| Clay-sealed ponds | Variable | Free + labor |
✅ Shield all storage from sun = prevents algae and plastic degradation.
6️⃣ IRRIGATION STRATEGIES FOR OFF-GRID FOOD GROWTH
| Method | Use Case | Pros |
|---|---|---|
| Drip irrigation (gravity-fed) | Raised beds, dense crops | Highly efficient |
| Buried clay pots (ollas) | Dry climates | Extremely low water use |
| Wicking beds | Greenhouses, limited space | Reuses graywater |
| Swales & berms | Perennials, fruit trees | Passive watering |
| Manual watering (buckets/cans) | Small gardens only | Labor-intensive |
✅ Build systems that work while you sleep, not systems that own your back.
7️⃣ GRAYWATER RECOVERY (HYGIENE + SUSTAINABLE WATER LOOP)
| Source | Safe Use |
|---|---|
| Dishwater (biodegradable soap) | Compost piles, trees |
| Laundry rinse water | Garden pathways |
| Shower water | Flower beds, fruit trees |
NEVER use graywater for:
- Leafy greens or root vegetables
- Drinking
- High-humidity storage tanks
✅ Filter all graywater through gravel/sand beds before use.
8️⃣ WATER PRESSURE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY
| System | Pressure Source | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Elevated tank (5–10 feet high) | Gravity | Drip irrigation |
| Manual pump | Human labor | Hand washing, transfer |
| Ram pump (if flowing stream) | Water force | Pumps uphill without power |
| Foot pump / treadle pump | Leg-powered | Small-scale ag use |
✅ Store water high, use gravity low = 0 bills, forever.
9️⃣ WATER SYSTEM ROLES FOR SMALL GROUPS (5-20 PEOPLE)
| Role | Task |
|---|---|
| Catchment Manager | Cleans gutters, inspects screens |
| Filtration Steward | Rotates filters, tests clarity |
| Graywater Officer | Prevents cross-contamination |
| Pressure Technician | Maintains tanks, checks flow |
| Maintenance Crew | Seals leaks, secures tanks, repairs hose fittings |
✅ Water loss from leaks = slow death. Guard your gallons.
🔟 MAJOR WATER FAILURES TO AVOID
❌ Using black barrels in sun
❌ Skipping first-flush diverters
❌ Forgetting to rotate stored water
❌ Not labeling tanks (drinking vs garden)
❌ Overdesigning — simple beats fancy
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- ✅ Water systems must be layered: catchment, storage, use.
- ✅ Passive gravity-fed systems win every time.
- ✅ Every drop saved = time, fuel, and life saved.
- ✅ Rainwater and graywater = infinite survival with good design.
- ✅ Redundancy keeps the crops and the people alive.
🚩 LOW-BUDGET WATER ENGINEERING STARTER KIT
| Item | Cost (Est) |
|---|---|
| 2x 55-gallon food-grade barrels | $70 |
| Gutter kit + mesh screen | $40 |
| Sawyer filter + DIY gravity bag | $30 |
| Hose fittings + PVC for gravity drip | $40 |
| Cloth pre-filter, bleach, 2 shut-off valves | $20 |
TOTAL: ≈ $200
Provides water collection, filtration, storage, and basic irrigation for 5–10 people.
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