A few years ago, I set up rain barrels to offset the strain on the well. Since our arrival, we have had drought-like summers and the stored water has been a savior. Near the end of 2015 I had an opportunity to pick up some IBC’s or Intermediate Bulk Containers, commonly referred to as “composite tote tanks” for a very reasonable price, so reasonable that I couldn’t say no and I have since upgraded from the barrels to the totes with great success.
Totes are those square plastic containers inside of a metal cage that are stackable and are mounted on a skid-like base. They hold 1000 liters/300 gallons and have a large ball valve on the bottom with a 10-inch screw-on filler cap on the top. They are used to ship all types of fluids — everything from corrosives to consumable products.
The problem I found with these is the ball valve drain, which is designed for limited use. Constant on/off cycling will soon leave you holding a plastic handle with 300 gallons of water that you cannot drain. The other problem I encountered was although you have 300 gallons there isn’t much pressure from it unless you raise the container. The higher the container the more pressure.
I already had a location in the north end of the sawmill building where three rain barrels were located; they were removed and the tote installed. The three barrels held 30 gallons each for a total of 90 gallons or 900 lbs, the tote holds 300 gallons which converts to 3000 lbs or a ton and a half of weight. The base strength of my building was fine but anyone installing water totes is well-advised to make sure they are on strong supports.
The intake line, a three-inch PVC pipe, was slightly modified from the barrels to fit the tote at the filler. The drain was fitted with a manifold made of fittings I picked up from my local building supply store including nylon, PVC and ABS. I experimented with two different arrangements; the best is shown in the photos using a screw on adaptor which has a short piece of two-inch diameter ABS pipe glued to it with an end cap glued on the other end. Before the end cap is glued on it is drilled to accommodate a nylon fitting having a screw cap on one end and a barbed end on the other which is fastened to the cap with epoxy and the screw cap. From here I used a piece of automotive heater hose to a common gardening hose “Y” fitting with two ball valves. This fitting was fastened to the wood skid with some perforated strapping and screws to take any stress off of the manifold. By doing this I can open the large ball valve in the bottom of the tote once, leave it open, and control the drainage with the easily replaceable “Y” valve. The price to assemble a manifold is about $12 or you can purchase online preassembled for around $35 shipping and tax.
I also drilled a hole close to the top of the tote and fitted a 1 ½” ABS sink trap elbow fitting that has a screw ring and bevel seat on one end and a female pipe fitting on the other. I removed the ring and discarded the bevel seat and then epoxy the elbow into the hole orienting it so it will drain towards the front of the tote, then I attached the ring onto the inside to hold it all together while the epoxy sets. This overflow allows you to direct excess water to a location you want rather than just spill everywhere. The overflow is essential when you “gang” totes, allowing air to escape from the second unit while water enters and air to enter while water is drained. When ganging the second filler cap is left in place. The units are joined at the bottom with each plumbed into a “T” fitting then to the “Y” hose fitting. As the first tote fills hydrodynamics will equalize the levels in both tanks.
To resolve the pressure issue, I raised the totes using discarded skids. I simply stacked five, six-inch-high skids and placed the totes on top, raising them 30 inches. This increase in height generates enough pressure allowing us to operate a water sprinkler on the garden 100 feet away.
I fitted the filler cap with a piece of nylon screen larger than the hole and held it in place with a bungee cord preventing debris and mosquitoes from entering.
The last two years we have had a severe drought in my area of Ontario — so severe that oak trees did not produce acorns. With my newly installed three totes, with 1200 gallons storage, we can keep the garden highly productive. I have another double arrangement in the barn on skids, awaiting the installation of eavestroughs, that will irrigate our grapes, haskap, plum and apricot trees.
On my farm height is of no concern — it’s the square footage used that is at a premium — one 300-gallon tote taking up the same space as two 30 gallon barrels was a good move. Totes can be purchased on line from manufactures and other sources but beware of the previous contents. Prices vary but hover around $110/unit for 300 gallons. They take up about the same square footage as three barrels ($40.00/unit for a total of 90 gallons,) which makes them a very good purchase.
- Dan Kerr