Earthbag Cistern
Specifications: 2,000 US gallons, approximately 6′ x 10′ interior, 12′ below grade, 36″ scuttle hole
Description: No off the grid system is complete without adequate water storage. This is the first publicly available earthbag cistern plan that I am aware of. Ideal for storing rainwater from roof catchment systems (rainwater catchment/rainwater harvesting systems). Prevents freezing. Scuttle hole provides access for cleaning. No transfer of hazardous chemicals from plastics.
Multiple units could be piped together for larger storage needs.
Note: The Beach House has an above grade, underfloor cistern: http://earthbagplans.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/earthbag-beach-house/
hello Owen
does this eb cistern require utilisation of food grade pond/cistern liner?
There is a pond liner on the exterior. The interior is waterproof cement.
Owen,
if I was looking to construct a rain catch on a elevated base for use in watering a garden, would you know of any construction plans one could look at for Ideas?
Thanks,
John
The simplest/best method may be to construction a shed roof with a few posts. This will catch a lot of water and the space below can be used as a shady spot for potting plants, relaxing, tool storage, etc. I just built something similar a couple weeks ago using 4 poles from the forest (two long ones, two short ones), 2 headers, rafters, purlins and metal roofing. A 3:12 pitch is adequate. Design to best utilize standard sized roofing.
I’m very interested in this building technique, but I’ve noticed that basements are rare or nonexistent. Could the cistern concept work as a basement both dry and structurally sound?
Yes, you can use earthbags for basements and cisterns. I have one plan (Habitat Earthbag House http://earthbagplans.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/habitat-earthbag-house/) with a basement. I’ve been too busy to post about this method, sorry. For basements, I would use: 24″ wide bags, lime stabilized soil, two strands of 4-point barbed wire, rubble trench with French drain, and taper walls slightly outward. Build on high ground and grade the site away from the building. Avoid problem clay soils.
Love this site and your designs! Just out of curiosity, could the cistern idea, with an interior pond liner, be used as an above ground pool? would the 24 inch wide bags filled with ? have enough intertia to resist the outward pressure of the water?
You could stack earthbags all around the pool, bracing it from all sides, and then earth berm it. Otherwise the pool would have to be below grade. Here’s a post about using earthbags for ponds: http://earthbagbuilding.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/eriks-swimming-pool-to-pond-conversion/