Thread: Perfecting the Thai water storage jars

I want to link storage jars together for water catchment to supply a house. The Thai jars have several benefits: they are 1800 liters each, look ok, cheap price, and long lasting. Before going this route I am wondering if it would be possible to fix the issues with the Thai jars that I see which are as follows:

Lid
• It doesn’t keep mosquitoes out
• It blows away in strong winds

Fittings
• 1/2" is too small to allow sufficient water flow
• Made from PVC which is known to contaminate the water

Tank
• Slowly Leaks. You can actually see how full a tank is from the outside due to the vapor line

The fittings seems the easiest fix—simply supply the jar manufacturer with 2 large diameter, water potable fittings per jar such as stainless steel fittings. Even though I don't plan to drink the water I see no reason the water should not be clean to a high standard. As far as fixing issues with the lid & tank please offer any recommendations.

make another lid from heavy wood

the slow leaks the tanks have is a benefit as the evaporation keeps the water cool

Thank you for your ideas which I have some comments about.

It seems the rims of the jars are not perfectly flat as if a little bit of slump occurred in the manufacturing process so I doubt say a plywood board would lay flush enough to keep mosquitoes out. Plus wood can warp over time being exposed to outdoor weather.

I don't want the tanks to slowly bleed off their water supply to provide "water cooling" because they will all be shaded on the north side of a house in a mountain climate that is typically cool anyway.

You say the fitting is going to contaminate the water, what is your house plumbed with?

You could grind down the rims to make wood (not plywood) lids fit properly.
You could also paint the inside of the tank with a water sealant.
Or you could just use some of the more stylish plastic tanks...

Originally Posted by canopy

Made from PVC which is known to contaminate the water

I doubt that the miniscule amount of possible contamination from a small fitting and pipe would be noticeable, unless you are talking homeopathic doses

Originally Posted by canopy

I don't want the tanks to slowly bleed off their water supply to provide "water cooling" because they will all be shaded on the north side of a house in a mountain climate that is typically cool anyway.

never mind because that is what they do

use something else or coat the inside with sealant which will probably contaminate the water

^ I also use one for storing Rain water for drinking,water lose due to bleeding is minimal.
When they are new they seep but after a while they seem to virtually seal themselves.

I don't think this is exactly what you want for a lid, but it might give you some ideas that some local Thai could whip up something similar. It keeps the bugs out and won't just blow off. And you don't have to worry about a perfectly flat top surface.

Just a thought.

Last Lid (for garbage cans)

Steve

pics?
are we talking ceramic or polyurethane here?

Originally Posted by Humbert

pics?
are we talking ceramic or polyurethane here?

Concrete.

Originally Posted by Humbert

we talking ceramic or polyurethane here?

Probably concrete.



Note the covers above. They are tin. You can buy all over Thailand. I placed a rubber ring on the lid to better seal.

That there is condensation on the outside of the vessel does not mean it is leaking. Does it? Isn't the lower level simply cooler than the upper and the vapour in the air condenses on the colder section?

So, this is an option other than stainless steel or 'sandstone' types? Seems like they take up a lot of room.

Have used for years and no "leakage" noticeable. Blackgang had a good thread on this. Must have had 20 all connected.. I can't find the thread.

Big footprint yes. But cheap for their volume.

Originally Posted by Necron99

But cheap for their volume.

Been a few years but recall around 300 baht each.

^ Now 700 baht to me locally.

That's about a third of the blue plastic equivalent, and half again for the moobahn finish.
So very economical. Just big and ugly.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Big footprint yes. But cheap for their volume.

You have a water filter and pump rigged up to it?

^ not my thread. I have them at the village shack, but just for rainwater collection.

Originally Posted by canopy

It doesn’t keep mosquitoes out

Piece of blue mozzy netting held on with a strip of inner tube rubber.
Keeps the mozzies out and you can still fill the tank without removing it

Originally Posted by Necron99

That's about a third of the blue plastic equivalent, and half again for the moobahn finish.
So very economical. Just big and ugly.

I think they look nice - especially after they gain a patina.

You say the fitting is going to contaminate the water, what is your house plumbed with?

Copper pipe with lead-free silver solder.

I don't see the need why you would want to join two or more together.....unless you are collecting rain water

Yes, this is for an exclusive rainwater catchment system. I decided not to hook up to the village water system--it's from a pond with field runoff and is yellow to black in color, sometimes has oil slicks on top, and the system is frequently broken down supplying no water. Some people have skin ailments and a doctor who checked out one said it is the water.

I doubt that the miniscule amount of possible contamination from a small (PVC) fitting and pipe would be noticeable...

This thread is about perfecting the system, not shrugging off living with small amounts of unnecessary poisons, mosquitoes or other problems. The perfect jar will have potable water fittings. I miss that about the USA; there is a law that anywhere selling non-potable fittings must have warnings on the fittings and also offer customers potable fittings as an alternative. In Thailand the poor people just end up with whatever is cheapest like pvc and get poisons in their water. PVC is too new of a material to fully understand the side effects, but enough is known that is should never be placed in sunlight or heated applications.

are we talking ceramic or polyurethane here?
Technically they are made of ferrocement.

Note the covers above. They are tin.

Right, I've had to go looking all over for them many times after a big wind. They also have gaps, particularly where they punch holes for the handle.


Piece of blue mozzy netting held on with a strip of inner tube rubber.

I have seen this and observed when plumb full, birds like to take a bath in them.

That's about a third of the blue plastic equivalent, and half again for the moobahn finish. So very economical. Just big and ugly.

I don't think you are going to find a 1800L blue tank for 2000 baht; more like several times that cost each. To each his own, but I find those blue plastic things stick out like a sore thumb, a lot uglier than the jars.

That there is condensation on the outside of the vessel does not mean it is leaking

Good thought, could be. I also notice dampness on the ground around the base. Don't know if it's seepage or condensation.

why not combine a meesh cover with the tin lids secured by a rubber seal of sorts. perhaps a length of transparent hose secured around the collar of the tank?

i wonder how good a seal you would actually want, as if it is too effective, you would end up with a vacuum effect inhibiting water flow and working against your pump.

similarly, a ply wood or wood top with a sealing ring would work