The start of our off grid property

I am just saying what the tankdepot.com told us when we ordered our tank.

You live in the white mountains so do I sounds like you are set up very well.

That sounds like an awesome plan topofmountain.
Trav

It protects the tank from harmful UV rays that destroy the plastics....James

Do you have a link for this filter? Is this a filter you build? Are the needed items available the South West.

I got a great post on insulating my water tank using sawdust. The only problem is the only sawdust available is what I make in trimming trees. He was talking many pounds.

I read an article on taking a 5 gal bucket with the use of Carbon & different medias you run the water in the top & as it passes through the different media then exits out the bottom clean.

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"Contempt prior to investigation can leave a man in forever ignorance"
My paraphrase from a Herbert Spencer quote.

That's a common misconception about Arizona "all desert". The lower half including Phoenix and Tuscon yes, but climbing the Mogollon Rim you go from an elevation of about 4000 ft to 8000 ft. (Think Flagstaff) across the state. There you find all four seasons, Ponderosa Pines, green meadows, high mountains, and many, many fishing lakes - etc.
Yes, water is an issue in various parts of Arizona so you haul water. Other parts - (where I live), sits on the largest aquifier in Arizona. Ya' gotta dig for it though - one well is 350 ft , my other is 450 ft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogollon_Rim

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Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible

Yes, I know about the "other" part of Arizona. Dad used to winter there and farm all winter. My question was this area and wondering IF he could put in rain collection so he didn't have to haul so much water. I am very interested in off grid living all over this country. I have it so easy where I live, gravity fed spring system with all the water I could ever need. I worked for the city here and we had an area just west of town that had water shortages and bad water and those people bought and hauled water all summer. Not fun for them. People here just don't want to think about water conservation....James

yes - it would be a filter you build on site. If you are not familiar with the Oasis design site or books, it is an excellent resource. Quite a few different options are described including the benefits and pitfalls of each.

http://oasisdesign.net/

Yes I can collect rain & snow. I plan to build with a steel roof for that reason.

Thanks for the link. Wow, full of info, again thanks.

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"Contempt prior to investigation can leave a man in forever ignorance"
My paraphrase from a Herbert Spencer quote.

You are extremely LUCKY. This wasn't always the case. When we were building 19 years ago, they were unbelievably difficult...both the health department and the building department. We finally had to hire an attorney to cut through their bullhockey. They did all but come right out and ask for a bribe.

Lisa,
I have found Coconino County to be very easy to work with. Anytime I need info an email to whatever dept gets me a reply the next day. As for building my septic was a concern according to some. I researched contractors who were licensed to do septic install. There was only one with a K80. They have been in business in Yavapai County for 34 years. They were also the best price we found. The environmental permit & final inspections went through much faster & easier than I cold of ever imagined. I held a California General Contractors license & dealt with California.
So I have experience with this & have learned a lot of lessons in dealing with red tape.
It appears that today if I hire local contractors or the next is a local architect for house building permit, with myself as the owner/builder. I know an architect that grew up in Flagstaff. His dad has owned a drywall business in Flag for years which he has taken over & also does a fair amount of work as an architect. That things go through fairly easy & quick.
I'm glad things are improved over 20 years ago. I have another friend in Flag that was born there I use to visit him in the 70s & Flag was a closed shop I know.
But growing up in rural Nevada it is as bad or worse. So I kind of knew how to travel those waters.

One thing I have noticed is growing up in Rural Nevada & being from a ranch family has its advantages with the old time Arizonans. Arizona & one of Arizona's Governors was very involved with those that were behind the "Nevada Plan for Public Lands" in the 1990s, the second attempt at the "Sagebrush Rebellion". Frankie Sue De Papa Nevada's AG at the time along with harry Reid gave Nevada's sovereignty away to the Federal Government. That is when we started thinking about leaving Nevada. It took until recently to completely sell out & invest in Arizona.

__________________
"Contempt prior to investigation can leave a man in forever ignorance"
My paraphrase from a Herbert Spencer quote.

I hope you keep us updated or start a blog!

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You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.

I will. We will start up work again in the Spring.

__________________
"Contempt prior to investigation can leave a man in forever ignorance"
My paraphrase from a Herbert Spencer quote.