Harvesting rainwater for your homestead in 9 days or less :: 7 steps to unlocking your family's clean, independent, and off-grid water source with the QuickRain Blueprint

No calculations. No guessing. No overwhelm.Do you and your family want clean, unchlorinated water? But will a well cost you $20,000, bringing your homestead dreams to a screeching halt?Maybe your well has been contaminated, or it may not support you and your family within a few short years. Have you always dreamed of harvesting rainwater for your home, garden and livestock, but you're feeling overwhelmed and confused?If you're looking for a step-by-step blueprint to bring rain to your homestead quickly, cheaply, and easily, this book was created just for you.Created to demystify and simplify the process, especially for beginners, this complete stress-free blueprint to building an above-ground, dry rainwater harvesting system in just 9 days or less reveals how you can easily collect pure, clean rainwater with minimal time, budget, and hassle. No prior experience necessary.With step-by-step illustrated instructions and the amazing 7-step QuickRain Blueprint, you’ll learn exactly where to buy the right parts, how to install the right fittings, how to connect it all together, and bring rain to your home and garden.All you’ll need to do is turn on the tap!Adaptable to any homestead – whether urban, rural, or off-grid – as well as anyone looking to create a reliable backup water supply, Harvesting Rainwater for Your Homestead in 9 Days or Less offers you a step-by-step guide to enjoying a clean, independent, and off-grid water source on your property – fast. Introduction Chapter 1: Learn the Legalities of Your Locality The History of Illegal Rainwater Harvesting in the US Is Rainwater Safe to Drink? Summary of Statewide Rainwater Harvesting Regulations in the US Table 1. Regulated States in the US for Rainwater Harvesting (with a Summary of Regulations) Table 1. Regulated States in the US for Rainwater Harvesting (with a Summary of Regulations) Table 2. Unregulated States for Rainwater Harvesting in the US Action Guide for Step 1: Learn the Legalities of Your Locality Chapter 2: Learn the 10 Basic Components of a rainwater harvesting system 10 Basic Components of a Tank Rainwater Harvesting System Introduction to Earthworks Action Guide for Step 2: Learn the 10 Basic Components of a Rainwater Harvesting System Chapter 3: Decide on the end-use goals for your rainwater Outdoor Non-Potable Use Indoor Non-Potable Use Indoor Potable Use Table 3. Summary of Rainwater Uses Factors that Affect the Cost of Rainwater Harvesting Startup Costs of Rainwater Tank Systems Costs Over Time for Rainwater Tank Systems Table 4. Startup and Maintenance Costs for Rainwater Tank Systems Action Guide for Step 3: Decide Your Rainwater’s End-Use Goals Learn the basics of rainwater harvesting safety and use 1. Don’t Mix Water and Your Foundation 2. Not All Materials Are Safe Roof, Gutter, and Downspout Materials Storage Tank Materials 3. Protect Your Tank from Sun, Insects, and Animals Mosquito Prevention 4. Plan for Overflow 5. Water Is Heavy! 6. Ensure End-Use Water Quality 7. “Low Maintenance” Does Not Mean “No Maintenance” 8. Understand Your Climate Understand Your Rainfall Freezing Climates 9. Understand Your Catchment Area Table 5. Expected Amount of Rainwater that Can Be Caught 10. Understand Your Water Needs Table 6. Ballpark Garden Watering Needs (assuming during the summer months) 3 Table 7. Ballpark Indoor Use Water Needs How to Lower Water Needs and Consumption Action Guide for Step 4: Learn the Basics of Safety and Use Chapter 5: Scale and source your system Table 8. Components You’ll Need to Purchase Depending on Your End-Use Goals Considerations About and Where to Purchase Each Component 1. Screens and filters for gutters, downspouts, and tanks Gutter Screens Downspout Filters Materials Used to Make Gutters and Downspouts 2. Storage tanks Rainwater Storage Tanks Overview Rain Barrels ($0 – $100) IBC totes ($175 – $350) Cisterns (Medium Budgets up to $4,500; High Budgets up to $20,000+) Underground Tanks Other Tank Materials How Big Should My Tank Be? Table 9. Best Type of Tank Based on Budget Table 10. Features of Different Rainwater Storage Tanks Table 11. Number and Size of Tanks Needed Depending on Application 3. Storage tank foundations How to Choose a Storage Tank Foundation Table 12. Cost of Each Type of Foundation 4. Pipes or hoses (inlet, overflow, outlet) 5. First-flush system (optional) 6. Pumps (optional) Table 13. Options for Pumps Depending on Application 7. Indoor-use finer filtration 8. Indoor-use pipes 9. Potable water treatment Table 14. Rainwater Disinfection Methods and Their Aspects Action Guide for Step 5: Scale and Source Your System Chapter 6: Install your system How to Install a Rain Barrel How to Install an IBC Tote How to Install a Cistern How to Connect Two or More Tanks Together Table 15: Pros and Cons of Connecting Tanks at the Top vs. at the Bottom How to Connect Two Tanks at the Top (In Series) How to Connect Two or More Tanks at the Bottom (In Parallel) How to Install a First-Flush System How to Install a Rainwater Harvesting Chicken Watering System How to Connect a Rain Storage Tank to Indoor Appliances Action Guide for Chapter 6: Install Your System Chapter 7: Maintain your system De-Sludging Enclosed Spaces Disinfection Pump Maintenance Winterization Rainwater Harvesting System Maintenance Schedule Table 16. Rainwater Storage Tank Maintenance Schedule Action Guide for Step 7: Maintain your System Conclusion Rain Harvesting Glossary Pump Glossary Plumbing Glossary References Acknowledgements Bibliography