Your Options for Getting Water Off the Grid

Are you looking for water while living off the grid? All you need to do is look down or look up.

1. Look Down: Drill a Well

Rivers flow just underneath our feet. The challenge is tapping into them. The theory behind a drilled well is quite simple, drill a hole until you hit a nice reservoir of water and use a pump to get that water to the surface.

There are quite a bit of regulations for drilling a private well so make sure you hire someone who is qualified and certified. Trust me this isn’t a job you want to do on your own. The typical cost for drilling a private well can be anywhere from $3000 to $15000+, depending how deep you have to drill. Although deeper water is typically cleaner, it is recommended that you use a filter, regardless of your well depth.

2. Look Up: Collect Rainwater

Another option is to collect rainwater from your gutters and store it in large holding tanks, called cisterns.  You have your choice of using a below ground or an above ground cistern, however, if you go below the ground, you will need a pump to get the water to your house.

It is important to mention that to use this method, you need to live in an area that receives plenty of rain. As well, try to use a metal or clay roof as it will provide much cleaner water than shingles.

Just like that you now have water to your new home. Enjoy living life on your terms!

3. All Around You: Other Natural Sources of Water

Look for natural springs, rivers and creeks for usable water.

Most mountainous jungles have one or many natural springs available, where it is also usually not too deep to find a water source and dig a well. A good natural spring can provide water year round. Some dry out over time. But depending on where you live, you may have access to natural springs year after year. The best thing to do is isolate your spring to prevent wild life from contaminating it. Adding certain fish which will also help to eliminate mosquitoes and their larva or other similar bacteria in the water.

If you are lucky enough to have a spring above your holding tank, than all you have to do is install PVC lines and let gravity do its thing to fill up your tank. If not, you may be required to run a PVC line from the spring to your tank and then hook up a water pump. The options here are electric or gas water pumps, depending on your situation or if there is available power supply where you’re located. Keep in mind that a gas water pumps are usually much more versatile, although a well-built solar powered electric pump may be better versus gasoline in certain situations.