With Eskom recently having announced ‘permanent load shedding’ for at least the next two years, it’s never been more important to look at alternative sources of power in an effort to go off-grid. And while most people’s thoughts turn instantly to their electricity supply, ensuring an uninterrupted water supply is just as crucial.

Having an off-grid water system means being able to use and access water without connecting to the municipal supply – a convenience that’s becoming increasingly vital by the day. So how do you go about moving your water supply off-grid? Let’s take a look.  

What are the options for going off-grid with a water supply?

Going off-grid with your electricity supply most often means turning to short-term solutions like inverters or generators, or long-term solutions like solar power. When it comes to taking your water supply off-grid however, most people choose from one of the following two options:

1. Borehole water: By far the most common way of moving your water supply off-grid, having a borehole drilled into your property’s water table will allow you to pump water directly into your household, or water storage tanks. While there is an initial outlay to be considered, using borehole water is a long-term solution that can have far-reaching benefits – the biggest one being no more municipal water bills.
    
2. Rainwater harvesting: Rainwater harvesting is exactly what it sounds like – catching and storing rainwater for general household use. In order to harvest rainwater to use in your home, you’ll need to attach pipes to your gutters to transport rainwater to water storage tanks. From here you can pump the rainwater directly into your irrigation system, or filter it to be used for drinking water, or any other household needs.

Tip: Whether you choose to drill a borehole or harvest rainwater, water storage tanks will always come in handy. These are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from rain barrels for small outdoor spaces to larger cisterns for a long-term off-grid supply. It’s important to remember that water stored in these tanks is not potable (drinkable), so you’ll need to have a filtration system in place to ensure your water is safe for human consumption.

The benefits of an off-grid water system

1. You’ll be able to rely on your own supply of water year-round
2. Your water supply won’t be affected by load shedding
3. You’ll save money on municipal water bills
4. You’ll have consistent water pressure
5. You’ll have an efficient, reliable water system
6. You won’t be affected by the lack of service delivery

Of course just as there are advantages to an off-grid water system, there are disadvantages too, and you’ll need to be aware of these before making a commitment:    

• Depending on the type of system you choose and your water requirements, your initial installation costs can be high.
• If your borehole water is very dirty, you’ll need to invest in pump and filter replacements to ensure that your water is always clean.
• You’ll also need to ensure that you have enough space for your water storage and your filtration system and that you have an effective wastewater treatment method to deal with run-off.
• Disconnecting from the municipal supply means you’ll be in charge of ongoing maintenance on your water system.
• Depending on whether your water supply will be for private or commercial use, there may be local by-laws that you need to follow before going off-grid – you will need to check these with your local municipality.

Despite the various drawbacks, however, the fact remains that in a country with an unstable future as far as energy goes, initial costs and general maintenance are a small price to pay for being in complete control of your water supply.

Going off-grid with DAB

If you’re considering going off-grid but don’t know where to start, that’s where DAB can help. Our range of pumps includes a variety of different solutions for every kind of application from domestic to commercial. Take a look at our selection and find the most convenient and cost-effective way to take your water supply off-grid.

Go solar with the S4 range

If you decide to go the borehole route with your water supply, the S4 range of pumps is ideal for your needs. Powered by the DAB Solar Motor, the S4 range  has been specifically designed to allow groundwater to reach the surface from 4” wells or larger.

With its high hydraulic efficiency and high sand handling capability (150g/m³), the S4 range is able to supply water for general domestic use, irrigation and sprinkler systems, livestock, and pumping from dams and rivers.

What’s more, thanks to its cost-effective construction, it’s able to offer increased affordability, reliability, and efficiency, as well as improved performance – not to mention added convenience through all-in-one solutions like its waterpark and 3-in-1 borehole combo. All the quality and all the versatility you need!

Power your home with the Esyboxline

If you’d prefer to start small rather than opting for a borehole solution, why not try the Esyboxline instead – a range of all-in-one ready-to-use booster pumps with inverters, ideally suited for residential use? Designed to manage water pressure in houses and apartments, the Esybox and Esybox Mini3 make use of cutting-edge technology to help supply a steady stream of water for drinking, gardening, and other domestic uses, all from within a small, compact, self-contained unit.

Thanks to the Esyboxline’s built-in VSD pumps, water-cooled motors, and full intelligence, your system will be fully protected, and you’ll save up to 50% on your energy costs as well. What’s more, Esyboxline’s integrated inverter guarantees reduced noise and consumption levels too, giving you a system that’s small, powerful, and hugely convenient.  

With solutions like the S4 range and the Esyboxline, as well as booster pumps like the JetCom and K range, there’s more than enough choice to suit every kind of residence and every kind of application. This means no matter what your water supply needs, we’ll be able to help get you off the grid and keep you there.

Visit our website for more on our off-grid solutions and start taking back control of your water supply today.

References:             

1. https://www.watertechirrigation.co.za/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-getting-off-the-grid 

2. https://housemethod.com/lawn/complete-guide-to-off-grid-water-systems/