Learn Water-Management Strategies for an Off-Grid House

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Cam Mather and two of his raised rain barrels filled from the roof of the horse barn. 
Cam Mather and two of his raised rain barrels filled from the roof of the horse barn. 
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Off-the-grid homesteading has fewer sacrifices than you might think after erecting two solar panel trackers, a wind turbine, a huge garden and an organized, efficient water management system.
Off-the-grid homesteading has fewer sacrifices than you might think after erecting two solar panel trackers, a wind turbine, a huge garden and an organized, efficient water management system. "Little House Off the Grid" by Michelle and Cam Mather is a self-sufficiency story of a city-dwelling family that longed for a simpler, quieter life in the country. Twelve years later, their life may not be as simple as they envisioned, but it is more peaceful. Follow the development of their off-the-grid lifestyle as they describe the details of their journey to self-sufficiency. 

The Mather family knows off-the-grid livingcan be as difficult as it is rewarding — especially when it comes to safe and plentiful water. That’s why the family’s off-grid house utilizes a successful and self-sufficient water-management system along with an extensive vegetable garden, a wind turbine and two solar power tracking systems. Check out Little House Off the Gridby Michelle and Cam Mather (Aztext Press, 2011) to follow the family’s full journey from the city to the farm as they acquire the modern homesteading skills to live off the grid. You can also follow Cam Mather’s Homesteading in Canadablog on our website. The following excerpt is from Chapter 13, “Water.”

Water is one of those things that’s easy to take for granted, especially if you live in a city. You turn on a tap, out comes the water. You flush the toilet, clean water instantly appears to fill up the bowl. You have a shower, clean water cascades down on you from a fixture on the wall.

It’s pretty amazing when you think about it.

Dug Wells vs. Drilled Wells

In the country, water is a whole other issue. You have to know where your water comes from. You have to go out and find it. Some people have to dig for it, and end up with a “dug well.” Dug wells are usually fairly shallow and often have concrete walls. When you think of “wishing wells” from cartoons and literature, these would be dug wells.

  • Published on Mar 26, 2012
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