How to set up a Rainwater Harvesting Cistern (concrete): Step by step how to
This is a step-by-step overview of one of our recent installations. This was installed using Ohio Health Department standards, which are the most stringent regulations in the USA. This is a 5500-gallon precast concrete cistern system. All components, including the concrete cistern, can be purchased through our catalog or by requesting a quote for a system install.
How to set up a Rainwater Harvesting Cistern (concrete)
Step 1: Excavate cistern pit and bed pit with 4-6" of crushed stone or sand with level bedding
Step 2: Dig trench (below frost level) for water supply line to the house
Step 3: Drill hole through foundation wall for waterline/electric
Step 4: Set cistern tank
Step 5: Connect water line and cabling (electric) to cistern
Step 6: Dig downspout drainage trenching. Install 4" Solid Core Schedule 4 PVC and bed pipe with crushed stone/sand/clean fill.
Step 7: Install Roofwasher filter. In this case we used our Wisy Vortex unit.
Step 8: Install overflow from Roofwasher/cistern
Step 9: Install rodent/mosquito guard on overflow/discharge
Step 10: Bed roof washer filler with crushed stone. Ensure all joints and wrapped/caulked using Wisy Vortex Filter
Step 11: Run any remaining drainage. Ensure there is fall on the pipe so everything drains towards the cistern.
Step 12: Backfill and grade
Note: Consider future excavation. Here we left the pipe exposed so septic contractors would locate our pipe easily when they dig into an area.
Step 13: Install inside controls/filters. Run waterline electric cabling through foundation wall and into pressure tank. (Pump is submersible and inside cistern). Install shut off valve immediately after pressure tank (downstream). Install two stage sediment reduction (down to 5 micron absolute). Be sure to use NSF approved filter housings. Install NSF Class A UV Sterilizer. Install smooth-nosed sample tamp immediately after filtration treatment, followed by main water shut off valve. Use hydraulic cement inside and outside to seal water line penetration.
Optional: Install tank level gauge
Request an estimate for a full system install
All components, including the concrete cistern, can be purchased through our catalog or by requesting a quote for a system install.
