How to set up a Watering System from a stream?

[amandaandherveg]

There's no access to an outside tap at my new place, there is however a very pretty stream that runs along one side. I'd like to set up a system where I can fill up water butts, water the polytunnel, etc using the stream water. Can anyone suggest a set up that would pump/suck the water up a hose?

[solway cropper]

I'm prepared to be corrected on this but I'm pretty sure you need a licence to abstract water from any natural source although you may be allowed to take a certain amount without restriction. Technically all surface water belongs to the local water authority so my advice would be to not put any permanent system in place but just fill up the butts on an as and when basis.

[amandaandherveg]

Thanks SC, as you suggested, I was thinking of something I could just 'drop in' as and when required.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Abstraction or impounding of water from any source in Scotland is controlled by Scottish Enviroment Protection Agency (SEPA).

You may well need a licence the granting of which will depend on a variety of things. If I were you I would check with your local SEPA office before doing anything. You would not want to end up in court on enviromental charges.

Colin

[Two_Sheds]

"If you want to ...abstract water from a surface source (e.g. river, stream or canal) ... and take more than 20 cubic metres (approximately 4,400 gallons) a day, you will almost certainly need an abstraction licence. In some cases you do not need a licence, such as: • abstraction for any purpose of less than 20 cubic metres a day" http://publications.environment-agen...08BOYR-E-E.pdf

[MojoJojo]

On the engineering side of it, I assume the stream is below the level of your water butts, so you'll need to pump. Googling for hand-pumps returned an old Vegging-Out thread - http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ump_29632.html

That sounds like a lot of effort to me - I'd suggest getting a water carrier like caravanner's use - Water Porter 30ltr Caravan Water Carrier - Caravan Components - Original Caravan Spares, Parts, Accessories

[phil the shed]

i've seen a solar powered pump somewhere recently for water butts would that work?
or what about one of those pumps that fits on a drill? you may need a good quality drill 18v or more but you couls get it to work?

[Mrs Dobby]

In England anything with a flow of less than 5l a minute (a bucket full) doesnt need a licence IIRC (it was on Its Not Easy Being Green), but I would deffo recommend doing some research before taking any water.

Personally I would probably go with something like this......

Pump water for free no Electricity Required

Ram pumps are free to operate, virtually maintenance free and relatively easy to build, there is lots of info on the net for them.

HTH

[lottie dolly]

a length of hose,and a pump running of a battery,thats what we use down the lottie,

[Potstubsdustbins]

2Sheds yes thats the rules in England & Wales. Scotland differs in what way I am not sure, but they seem to care for their enviroment more than we do.

Or maybe they just want to save the water for..................................... the water of life.

Colin

[MojoJojo]

I had a solar powered fountain - they are not very powerful, and might not be able to get the water up high enough. I imagine it would be slow even if it did work. Also, my one stopped working after a few weeks.

Looking around you can get solar powered well pumps or a water butt pump - which probably have enough power. But they cost >£100

A drill powered pump might work, although even a powerful cordless drill might have enough power/stamina.

[lottie dolly]

I had a solar powered fountain - they are not very powerful, and might not be able to get the water up high enough. I imagine it would be slow even if it did work. Also, my one stopped working after a few weeks.

Looking around you can get solar powered well pumps or a water butt pump - which probably have enough power. But they cost >£100

A drill powered pump might work, although even a powerful cordless drill might have enough power/stamina.

oooh that is expensive,we got a bilge pump from a marina,not powerful but does the job £16+,but we only have it on an ordinary hose pipe,now if the pipe were wider,then would pump quicker,as it's meant to pump the water out of boat bottoms

[MojoJojo]

How is it powered though? That's the difficult part on an allotment. (Assuming the allotment doesn't have power).

[lottie dolly]

How is it powered though? That's the difficult part on an allotment. (Assuming the allotment doesn't have power).

an ordinary fully charged battery,as in car type,simply push one end of the pipe onto the pump,the other into the water you wish to remove,then connect up the wires to the battery by means of crocodile clips,

[amandaandherveg]

Thanks so much to everyone for their ideas and suggestions - lots to investgate now