Water Supply Update...

I was doing a little Fall cleaning over the weekend and I decided to take a peek inside the water tank. Glad I did.....I found a layer of scum on the bottom. Everything I read said to have a solid colored tank to keep light out and inhibit algae growth but I though since my tank was in the shed..out of direct sunlight that I would be OK. Well, I was wrong. Cleaning the tank was not a big deal....a shop vac, scrub brush and a bit of bleach did the trick. the episode did bring to light some design flaws in my system...

1. I need a drain from the main tank to the outside.  I disconnected my supply line into the house to drain the tank but I need to plumb in a permanent way to drain the main tank for cleaning. A simple Y fitting and a length of hose with a shut-off will work. That will be the next project...

2. I need some form of pressurized water when the tank is empty. This time I used a super soaker but I need a better solution.

3. Even though I don't drink the water I still need to treat it. A little bleach would have gon a long way.

4. I need a better pre-filter system. There was a little more debris in the tank than I was expecting....likely from some very heavy rains we had. A tighter screen, angled away from the house would probably help a lot.

All in all the system is working great. I will need to keep a better eye on maintenance and keeping the inside clean though...especially when I put my new roof on and start drinking the water..

Home Improvement......

I have been pretty lazy this summer, focusing more on having fun than homesteading. The result is that the tiny house is getting a little wild. The bushes have grown up around the property making the house seem very set in and frankly, I kind of like it. Changes are coming though. I am on the process of trying to purchase 1 acre in town and move the house which means I have a bunch of work to do. Ideally this will happen before the cold sets in so I have started organizing my tasks in order to be ready as quickly as possible.
 
The property I am trying to buy is a little different that what I am working now. There were 2 mobile homes there in the past and they are on city water (and septic and electricity). While I would prefer to remain off grid I may have to hook up to utilities to get a C/O. I am not sure but it should not be too hard to do if it comes down to it. The big X factor is the composting toilet. I need to get approval from the county to use one and they are still not very common out here. Fingers crossed.
 
The house has weathered pretty well this summer although I really need to re-do the siding. I was hoping to do it all at once but I think it may come down to doing a side as money comes in. Work has been slow and funds are definitely tight. I also rented a studio space which is eating into the house money. That will have to go away If I buy the land anyway.

Well not much to tell...I wish I had more.