Fill my water tank from lake?

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#3178278 6-Jan-2024 11:56

traderstu:[snip] The couple that I have googled acknowledge that taking water for domestic purposes is expressly allowed under the RMA (law), but they do impose conditions (rules) around compliance (eg over-allocation, protection of wetlands, etc)

This is the key here. Whilst resource consent may not be required, that is only one of several rules that could be applicable here. Without further information it's not clear whether what the OP is proposing is allowed. The appropiate local body or council for the OP's area needs to be determined and contacted.

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#3178330 6-Jan-2024 12:30

OP is in Queenstown Lakes District, so Otago is the relevent council.

Hwale

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#3178332 6-Jan-2024 12:31

What I intend is a permitted activity. We can move on from the legalities.

freitasm

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#3178333 6-Jan-2024 12:33

Hwale: What I intend is a permitted activity. We can move on from the legalities.

With that, could people please focus on the "how" as asked in the first question?

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#3178336 6-Jan-2024 12:47

Stating the obvious 1000 liters = 1 metric ton. Are you sure your trailer and vehicle can safely transport multiple? Most people never use a trailer for more than builders mix.

Hwale

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#3178338 6-Jan-2024 12:56

Yes, I've considered that. It will be a limiting factor.

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RunningMan

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#3178391 6-Jan-2024 13:30

Distance and height between reservoir and tank? Can you run a pipe rather than trailering?

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#3178470 6-Jan-2024 16:04

I just wonder if you'd be better off directing the funds towards more tanks for greater collection and storage capacity when it does rain?

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#3178530 6-Jan-2024 16:57

Hwale: Regardless, there are 3.8x10^13 litres in the lake and I only need 10,000 of them. ...

This time, what about the next & the next? Tragedy of the commons. 🛎🛎🛎

Hwale: ..., especially if dry weather like this continues which seems likely given the broader weather patterns for the foreseeable future. ...

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Hwale

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#3178533 6-Jan-2024 17:48

If I thought I'd be doing it 3.8 billion times I'd reconsider.

Distance from lake to house is about 250m across a couple of small very quiet roads. It's possible but it would be a bit of a logistical headache.

Extra tanks aren't really an option, I think it doesn't rain here enough anyway and our roof catchment isn't that great so a readily available supply would be better.

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#3178534 6-Jan-2024 17:55

What size trailer do you have? If it has the capacity to carry a couple or three IBCs at a time, you might be onto a more efficient system. Have you considered what the "unload" plan is at home? Ie can gravity do the work, or are you going to need to pump it out of the IBCs and into your main tanks?

I still wouldn't discount putting a second tank in at home. You obviously use quite a bit of water, and if you were to go through with this plan of topping up from the lake, and then get a decent downpour, you'd be kicking yourself as you watched it exit through the overflow...

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Hwale

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#3178563 6-Jan-2024 18:16

All true, I'd be kicking myself harder if I have to keep buying water for the next several months too though.

I'd have to pump the water into a container, transport it a short distance then pump it again into my tank. I can probably safely cart a ton in the back of the vehicle, so if I want 5000l I'd be doing this 5 times. I don't think it would be horrendously time consuming with the right equipment, so I could at least stave off an emergency water shortage with a few thousand litres when necessary, if and when it doesn't rain for a while.

Looks like the current plan is a 1 ton tank in the back of the truck, a 2 inch water pump and an appropriate filter.

Anyone got a good high flow lake screen filter recommendation?

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#3178568 6-Jan-2024 18:43

I wonder if there could be potential problems with fungus or bacterial growth, even if only occasional. There will be run-off such as animal excrement, in low concentrations at least. Is a filter and chlorine enough to treat that? I have no idea, but it might be worth looking into it.

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#3178575 6-Jan-2024 20:21

Where do you live relative to the areas of the lake that have had recent boil water notices? You may need more than basic filtering and treating.

traderstu

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#3178582 6-Jan-2024 21:44

Hwale:

Looks like the current plan is a 1 ton tank in the back of the truck, a 2 inch water pump and an appropriate filter.

Anyone got a good high flow lake screen filter recommendation?

Don't over think this. Pick a spot where the water is clear, hopefully somewhere with a bit of depth so that you can suspend the end of the suction above the bottom. If you're working with fairly shallow water you're going to have to get a bit creative and prop the suction off the bottom with a couple of rocks or something. All you need is a coarse strainer on the end of the suction, something like 6mm dia holes. The sole purpose of this is to stop rocks entering the pump and blocking it up. Any fine filter is going to block up immediately. It will drive you nuts. If you accidently pump a bit of sand it will settle in the bottom of your tank and you can deal with it later. I'm making the assumption that the lake has a sandy bottom. Coarse gravel or boulders you'll be golden.

If you are unlucky, and end up with water with a bit of suspended crud, your house filters will take care of it until such time as it settles in your tank. And of course, bird poop in your lake water is exactly the same as bird poop in your rain water - your uv filter will take care of it.

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