Cistern?

Hi Meg,

What an interesting experiment. I've always thought I knew how to conserve water (we put a brick in our toilet tank, never let the water run when washing or hands and face or brushing teeth, only ran full loads of laundry and such). But after moving into our house on STX and seeing that cistern for the first time, I quickly learned that I wasn't doing nearly as well as I thought. (The paranoia about running out and having to *buy* water is a pretty decent motivator for some of us. *lol*)

Anyway, in answer to your question:

It's my understanding that the size of a cistern is determined by the square footage of the roof of the house. A realtor told us that for a single story home, a minimum of 10 gallons of cistern storage is required for every square foot of roof area; 15 gallons of storage is required for every square foot of roof on a two-story home. Even if this isn't the precise building code (and it probably isn't -- I look at most of what realtors down here tell me with a healthy level of skepticism), it's close enough to give you an idea.

Hope that helps,
HC

Ok thank you so much... that really helps a lot actually. This project has really maded me think about what I use. I take the longest showers, and let the water run when I wash dishes. I think that is just part of growin up in PA where water is never a problem (we have "drought days" where they tell us not to water our lawn...haha what a hardship). Meanwhile we learned about families in Honduras that live on 10 gallons every three days for a whole family (compare: the average 7 minute shower takes about 60 gallons).

Its also kind of ironic that we are learning this right now, before I move to STT where I WILL need to watch the water I use. I will start conserving now so it becomes a habit and not just another thing I need to adjust to when I move.

While we are on the subject of conservation, is there REALLY no recycling on the islands? cause that is something I am big on...I guess I can at least use cloth grocery bags and stuff, but I hate to think of all that trash cluttering that pretty landscape 🙁

meg

Hello Meg,

Cistern sizes vary. Some folks don't have actual cisterns but rather use large tanks and tank sizes vary. Also there are some folks that have two cisterns. In a few areas folks have wells - usually in valleys, in addition to a cistern. There is a standard/code for newer buildings as Hip Crip mentioned where the size of the home requires a certain size cistern.

There are lots of things you can try in order to conserve water. Take short showers, don’t run the water while lathering up, brushing your teeth. Don’t flush as often. You could get a bit more into it and collect your shower water and use it to flush the toilets. Use dish water & laundry water to water the plants in the yard.

Recycling – There used to be a place that collected soda cans? And I remember a buddy telling me about recycling cardboard. Anyone have better details?

--Islander

Meg,
I don't know about STT, but here on STX there is no recycling. It's a matter of economics. There's no market here for recycled materials (glass, metal, plastic, etc) because we don't really manufacturer much here. It costs way too much to ship it back to the states. A crime, I know, but it's an unfortunate reality.

Ric

In this land of sun and fun, we do not flush for number one! If it's yellow, let it mellow...if it's brown, flush it down.

Thanks for all your help! I did some more research, and here is a site that helps calculate water usage http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sq3.html it was interesting to see what I use...and kind of scary!

This may sound rather silly but I couldn't stand all those little grocery bags going to waste and tend to forget my canvas bags half the time so I incorporated the grocery bags into the "rag" rugs I crochet. You loop the handles together until you have a long enough strand and using a single crochet and large hook make an oval or circular rug with them. They are great to kneel on when you are working in the garden, good for the pets beds and if you also use some material in the rug with the plastic bags (I use old t-shirts and sheets cut into 1/2" strips) you have a pretty door mat that is water resistant and very heavy duty. Just a thought but it gives these things a bit more life.

thats a really good idea...thanks for that! I think i will try it for my puppy's bed...

I use those grocery bags for the inside of my wastebasket. Definitely a good idea!

Hi Meg,Gotta say that when I moved from a cistern dependent home in Montana six months ago,to a place with unlimited water,I had a hard time.Since I have also lived in the Fla. Keys where you are charged by the gallon(for undrinkable water)the thing about water conservation is a toughy.First thing to do is get one of those Navy shower showerheads.It is small and can be transported in a small bag to the VI.Doubt you'll find it there...Also,those wet wipes for quick hand cleanups are wonderful,don't even have to use water.If you want a good lesson on water conservation(except for laundry)shut off your household water for two to three days and buy a 5 gallon bottle of water from the store,and only use that.You will find out REALLY QUICK how to conserve and cutdown.When I ran out of water in MT. and had to wait for a delivery,I learned super quick how little you actually NEED to use....Any Help??? I know a little severe,but it works.......Especially in hurricane country......

I work at the Humane Society on the mainland and i know we really appreciate people donating all sorts of stuff, not just food, litter and bedding but newspapers (to line the cages) and especially plastic bags of any kind. You wonder what for... Yep, it's for doggie do-do. Not fun to pick up off the ground when you don't have any and have to pick it up with a thin papertowel. Yuck! Instead of puting them in a recycle bin, please drop off at the Humane Society. The employee's and animals will be thankfull.