“Water is life,” the ancients said. And indeed it is. But to prevent the dacha from becoming a lifeless desert, you need to make some efforts, build and equip it properly with a water supply system.
Peculiarities
The water supply at the dacha must be powerful, because it supplies liquid not only for household and technical needs, but also for watering plants. This means that every day you will have to spend several hundred liters of water. Even land that seems modest in area often consumes it in huge quantities, although this is not noticeable at first. But in addition to your own needs, you need to remember about the availability of technical conditions for connection. The list of these conditions and their severity are entirely determined by regulations of local authorities and self-government.
For those who have not previously encountered the paperwork for a new water supply system, the real revelation is how much work needs to be done. What is important is that without collecting the complete package, you will not be able to connect to the sewer. One can understand the authorities; the comfort of living people depends on the quality of water supply networks. And the water supply is a strategic object, so it must work more clearly than a Swiss watch. You need to be prepared that registration and approval will take several weeks.
Projects should include:
- how sewerage will be discharged;
- how much water will be needed;
- will the system work all year round;
- how exactly they organize the drainage of water and the suspension of its supply.
Kinds
It is necessary to deal with the SES, water supply system, plans and diagrams after the nuances of the water supply of a country house have been studied and a suitable method of organizing it has been chosen. You have to choose between three main types of sources:
- well;
- central water supply;
- artesian well.
Alas, the quality of water in open reservoirs and in the upper soil horizons is very low. Sometimes it is simply dangerous to health due to its chemical and microbiological composition. It is recommended to rely on the experience of the owners of neighboring plots. If they ordered well drilling, then this is the path that should be considered first.
It makes sense to dig wells if the aquifer is located 4-15 m from the surface. Payment must be made only for materials, and all work can be done with your own hands.
A well-designed well lasts up to 50 years; even if the power suddenly goes out, a simple bucket will allow you to get at least some water. As for the risk of water getting into the mine, it is not that great. If everything is done correctly, all joints and pipe entry points are properly sealed, no problems should arise at all. A number of places are difficult, and wells have to be drilled there. It is important to distinguish between two types: “sand” and artesian.
Sand drilling captures the upper levels of sandy horizons. This is where the water closest to the surface is suitable for drinking purposes. Placing a layer of high-density loam on top helps effectively filter many contaminants. Due to differences in the geological structure of individual areas, a well “for sand” can have a trunk of 10-50 m. The problem is due to the fact that in many cases, after five years, the filters are inevitably clogged with silt and sand.
But here you have to rely on chance. If you are lucky and the drill leads into an underground river, the flow rate will be almost unlimited, and the risk of clogging the channel with sand will be zero. It is recommended to work manually because this method increases the chances of finding a high-quality aquifer. Mechanized drills often rush past him, trying to go deeper. This is not surprising, since commercial drillers are paid not for satisfying the interests of clients, but for the meters traveled. When there are no aquifers at all near the surface, you have to drill an artesian well.
It takes water from calcareous layers, the depth of which varies from 35 to 1000 m, sometimes even more. But for domestic purposes, it is extremely rare to drill wells over 135 m. Each such object is drilled with the permission of the authorities and is subject to official registration. At great depths, everything is considered federal property, and landowners become mere users. An equally important reason is the exceptional cost and time required to drill very deep passages.
Usually, to save money, artesian wells are ordered by the owners of several neighboring plots. Such a source is completely free of the risk of perched water. The period of uninterrupted operation is very long, so the initial costs are fully justified. The parameters of artesian wells are calculated in advance, since the necessary equipment depends on their flow rate and other properties. A surface pump will only cope well with some shallow sand wells and wells; in other cases, a submersible apparatus is needed.
In addition to the source of water and means of pumping, it is also useful to consider the type of pipes.
Many dacha owners prefer pipelines made of plastic material (PVC). Plastic is light and relatively durable; if chosen correctly, it does not pose any danger to those using drinking water.
Important: despite the high resistance of polymer pipes to frost and sunlight, it is better not to lay them on the ground, but to bury them deep.
It is strictly forbidden to use metal-plastic pipelines with an aluminum-based reinforcing layer for country water supply. They are more expensive than simple polymer solutions and must be continuously filled in summer and unconditionally empty in winter.
Winter
A non-freezing water supply at the dacha is needed even if it will be visited only periodically during the cold season. This type of communication is especially relevant for country houses where you plan to live for some time. The advantage of this solution is that you do not have to pour water out of the pipes every time to prevent them from freezing and subsequent destruction. Laying the pipeline at a depth of 2 m is the most reliable way to protect against frost.
In addition to pipes, a typical system includes:
- pump (submersible or surface-mounted);
- drain valve;
- pressure measuring relay;
- hydraulic accumulator;
- cable for heating water.
They will last a long time and will not let in too much heat. An undoubted advantage will be the solid acoustic insulation of such structures. Thermal welding is a reliable and modern way of connecting pipes; it guarantees perfect integrity and stability of their operation. According to experts, a submersible pump is not only better protected, but also more economical than its surface counterparts.
The drain valve in the winter water supply is placed next to the pump. The drain can be organized into any body of water or into a well. When the “cold” circuit is installed near the house, the drain valve is often replaced with a bypass pipe. A pressure switch is important because it will allow you to ensure a strictly specified pressure range in the system. The hydraulic accumulator not only creates a reserve of fluid in case of sudden shutdown, but also helps to avoid destructive impacts.
Summer
Depending on the type of pipes used, you can either leave them on the ground or lay them in shallow ditches. Underground installation is labor-intensive and time-consuming, but such a scheme is more reliable than a surface one. Before installation, the pipes need to be stretched and laid out over the area to once again check all the nuances and subtleties. When the system is assembled, you need to start the pump and check whether the joints are installed properly.
Device
The water supply network diagram necessarily requires taking into account such a parameter as water yield. After all, dacha water supply is responsible not only for the communal convenience of residents, but safety in case of fire depends on it. The standard provides for the connection of fire pumps (2 pcs.) at adjacent hydrants. Connecting pumps to hydrants using soft hoses helps prevent the occurrence of vacuum. The hose lines included in the project are designed for a diameter of 6.6 cm.
They must be connected to trunks with nozzles from 1.9 cm. The water loss test is carried out in two modes: first, they try to supply water to the ridge of the tallest building, and then check what the pressure will be when pulling fire hoses along the ground.
Helps increase water yield:
- sealing pipe joints;
- timely elimination of all failures;
- ensuring the serviceability of the pumps and pumping stations used;
- timely repair of bypass lines;
- cleaning pipelines from contaminants and deposits of various nature.
A country water supply system, in addition to supplying water for domestic and technical needs and to combat emergency situations, must also ensure the normal operation of the sewerage system or septic tank.
Important: cesspools are not only unaesthetic and create an unpleasant odor, they inevitably lead over time to microbial contamination of wells. Even observing all sanitary standards and distances only postpones this moment, but cannot prevent it completely. When using septic tanks, it is worthwhile to provide a special water supply circuit through which water will flow to flush them as needed. It is not recommended to use homemade septic tanks at dachas; sooner or later it will be discovered that they are not airtight enough.
Supplying water for irrigation, not to mention supplying summer residents with drinking water, requires strict compliance of the liquid with sanitary standards. Considering the quality of water coming from most wells and even boreholes, this means the need to use filters. Drip irrigation is even more demanding on the purity of the liquid than conventional irrigation. The direction of installation of the filter system in this case is not important.
It is not recommended to use homemade filters for irrigation. The cost of factory-made products is relatively low, but it has a very good cleaning area, which cannot be achieved in products assembled at home. If you plan to organize a year-round water supply, it is worth buying a special compressor to blow it out in anticipation of winter.
Even frost-sensitive plastics can be restored relatively easily, provided they are desert-dry inside. The presence of even a small amount of water in combination with cold forms an almost explosive mixture that can tear apart even strong metals.
Purge is mandatory not only for the water supply, but also for:
- pumping equipment;
- pipes remaining in an unheated room;
- means of external automatic watering;
- pipeline supplying an outdoor pool;
- automated feeders and drinkers.
Draining by opening a tap is unreliable and not uniform. Even a long wait and meticulous calculation of liquid volume does not allow one to be confident of success. It’s a different matter if the circuit is blown through with compressed air, which confidently reaches the most remote corners and displaces even single drops of water. Of course, before purging, you should disconnect all heating and plumbing equipment, remove any plugs and open the taps to full power. If it is known that there are blockages in the pipes and circuit, they should be removed before connecting the compressor.
You need to turn off the device after only air comes out of all the terminals without the slightest trace of liquid water.
How to do it?
Any more or less competent person can do the installation of a country water supply system with their own hands. The necessary scheme is thought out simultaneously with the design of the house as a whole. A detailed estimate is formed, according to which equipment, materials, and consumables are purchased.
It is not at all necessary to buy metal pipes; lines made of metal-plastic or polypropylene perform no worse. Before digging a trench, the future route is carefully marked. When taking measurements, in addition to a tape measure, it is worth using stakes and twine.
During the design process, it is worth determining the need for:
- pipes;
- corners;
- valves and taps used in everyday use;
- fittings and other fittings.
The simplest summer water supply (collapsible) is mounted from rubber or silicone pipes connected by adapters. You can easily buy the necessary components at any hardware store. To connect pipes, it is recommended to choose products made of galvanized steel. Their high cost compared to plastic versions is fully justified by their improved practical properties.
You should not dig a very deep trench for a permanent water supply; this does not justify itself.
Please note: each pipe must slope towards the connection to the supply main. A drain valve is installed at the inlet. Electrical cables powering pumps and other energy-dependent infrastructure are allowed, according to the rules of the device, to be placed in a common casing with pipes. To carry out insulation according to the rules, you will have to not only remove 0.6-1 m of soil, but also backfill 30 cm of insulation material. Expanded clay and foam chips are most often chosen as insulation.
A pit is being prepared next to the well; it is a square with a side of 700 and a depth of 1000 mm. This is where it is recommended to install the pump, laying out the walls from strong boards, bricks or concrete rings. Wood should be treated with antiseptics in advance. The bottom of the excavation is filled with concrete or at least covered with gravel.
Regardless of the arrangement of the summer or winter water supply, any part of it must be made in such a way that it is possible to eliminate defects without complete dismantling.
Checking the internal fire tank and associated communications is mandatory, even if a successful solution has been chosen that has proven itself repeatedly in practice. It is not possible to install a real hydrant everywhere; a lot depends on the pressure. If it is insufficient, it is better to put a large container, 15-25 cubic meters. m. The water accumulated in the tank will be a real help for rescuers who arrive on a call.
Important: for an all-season fire pipeline it is necessary to equip a circuit with an internal heating cable.
To equip a warm pipeline, you need to take into account a few more nuances. Basalt wool, glass wool and polystyrene foam are often used as insulation materials. Glass wool is recommended mainly for metal-plastic channels. You will definitely have to cover it from the outside using other materials. Basalt wool collected in cylinders is very easy to install and is mechanically strong. The protective properties of the material fully justify its high price.
To fill the water seals of toilets and septic tanks for the winter, it is recommended to use not antifreeze, but a strong solution of table salt. It is much safer and performs its function just as reliably. When laying a capital pipeline, its depth below the freezing line is made 0.2-0.25 m. Any higher is unsafe, and excess depth will only bring unjustified costs. Even if a country water supply system will be created only for watering a small garden, you still need to prepare full-fledged drawings, this way it is much easier to take into account the nuances and prevent errors.
For many, a dacha is not just a place where they can grow some vegetables and fruits, but also a place of relaxation. In both cases, water supply at the dacha is simply necessary. It often happens that there is no central water supply, so you have to install a water supply from a well or borehole.
Purposes of water supply
This is a fairly important question, since depending on the purpose, the water supply system for the dacha can be chosen.
Country water supply can be:
- Seasonal;
- Permanent.
In addition, you need to decide on the amount of water consumed. You also need to take into account the number of dismountable points, that is, washbasins, sanitary facilities, as well as watering the area.
Often, a country water supply system is built only for the purpose of watering the area.
One way or another, when calculating for normal water consumption, including all consumers, it is generally accepted that a family of 4 people can consume no more than 3 cubic meters of liquid per hour at most.
Installation of permanent water supply
Before making water supply in your dacha, you should choose a source of water supply:
- Central water supply;
- Well;
- Well.
Each of these sources of water supply in the country has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, by supplying your dacha with water from a central water supply system, you make it dependent on it. But the big advantage is that there is no need to develop the source yourself. All that remains is to simply dig a trench, lay a pipeline and connect it.
If we talk about wells, they are often not able to provide a family with the necessary amount of water. In addition, surface water is quite polluted.
As for the well, it’s a completely different matter. There is always the right amount of water, it is clean, and there is no need to take care of the well itself, provided that it was initially designed and equipped correctly.
Perhaps one of the disadvantages of a well is its equipment.
What types of wells are there and how are they equipped?
All wells are usually divided into three main types, depending on the material that is at their bottom:
- Sandy;
- Clayey;
- Limestone.
Water supply to the dacha can be carried out from any of them. However, there is one nuance that is worth understanding. Drilling is carried out to a certain depth, and each of the three materials has its own approximate depth. For example, sands lie at a depth of 1 meter, clay is a little deeper.
For this reason, limestone developments are considered the best and cleanest, since their depth starts from 50 meters and can reach 150 m in the country, or even more if we are talking about industrial wells.
Such deep developments can be done only once and forgotten about them for the rest of your life. The main thing in this matter is the correct equipment.
A pipe called casing is lowered into the drilled hole. It will prevent soil shedding, as well as the penetration of water that lies on higher layers of soil.
This issue also has its own nuances. We are talking about the pipe itself. For small diameters, the pipes are suitable in size, that is, their diameters coincide with the diameter of the development, but in the case of large diameters this is not the case. Pipes, as a rule, are slightly smaller, which leads to the need to make additional reinforcement by filling the cavity between the pipe and the walls of the well with crushed stone or cement.
The simplest diagram of a country water supply system may contain the following elements:
- Source;
- Water supply to the dacha;
- Shut-off valves that can be used to shut off the water supply to the entire dacha;
- Tee;
- Filter device;
- Automatic control unit with adapter;
- Hydraulic accumulator.
It should be noted right away that a private circuit may not contain some elements, for example, a hydraulic accumulator. It can be done if there is such a need, for example, the pressure in the system is low or there are power outages.
It should also be noted that the circuit may contain additional elements, for example, another filter. Often the water supply system in a dacha has not only a cold water circuit, but also a hot one.
In this case, the circuit will contain a heating element to which the water supply is laid.
So, the only thing that remains unchanged is the source equipment:
- Well equipment, that is, casing and tip;
- Submersible pump;
- A nipple with a check valve is installed on the pump. This valve prevents water from flowing back into the pump;
- Water adapter - it is used to lay the water supply to the dacha;
- Among other things, the pump is equipped with a steel cable, with the help of which the pump is lowered into and out of the drilled hole;
- The pump power wire is also brought out and connected to the power source.
Installation of equipment
So, as has already become clear, the water supply system for a dacha begins with the source, or rather with its equipment. The pump is lowered into the equipped source already completely ready, that is, with part of the pipeline, with a non-return valve and nipple attached, and so on.
So, from the pump the water supply is laid to the dacha itself. In this case, the water supply must be in the ground. In addition, it should be insulated.
Advice! The depth to which the water supply is laid depends on the maximum freezing depth of the soil. For this reason, it is better to find out this figure for each individual area in advance.
Laying in the ground is carried out right up to the dacha. Already inside the premises, the water supply is connected to the shut-off valves. It is recommended to use the simplest and most reliable ball valve. It is needed to be able to completely shut off the water, if necessary.
From the shut-off valves, the water supply is supplied to the filter device.
Often, water supply to a dacha is done with two filters - coarse and fine. But if the water is supplied from a well, the depth of which is quite large, then you can get by with just one filter.
From this five-point, the water supply moves directly to consumers and to the hydraulic accumulator, if there is one.
In the case when a hot water supply system is being installed, then from the five-piece, that part of the water supply that goes to consumers is divided into two branches using a tee.
One branch is used to supply cold water, while the other branch is connected to a heating element, for example, a boiler.
It turns out that both cold and hot water are supplied directly, and water is supplied from the reserve, that is, from the hydraulic accumulator. Since the boiler itself also has a certain volume, we can say that this water supply system forms a certain supply of both hot and cold water.
If the volume of the boiler is small, then you can do this: from the hydraulic accumulator, the volume of which is usually quite large, the water supply is again divided into two branches using a tee. One of these branches is supplied to the cold water supply system, the other to the boiler.
Connection and selection of pipes
Before making plumbing in your dacha, you need to decide on the materials. For example, if we are talking about a pump, then for a well it is best to use a submersible one. A regular one is also suitable for a well.
As for pipes, there should be no problems when choosing. Of course, today copper, iron, plastic, and many others are produced.
To make your own plumbing, it is best to use plastic pipes, polypropylene.
In the case when the total length of the water supply system at the dacha does not exceed 30 meters, pipes with diameters from 10 to 20 mm are used.
The connection methods for different pipes are different:
- Copper and metal parts of the water supply system are connected using threads and special fittings. In this case, FUM tape is glued to the thread, or flax is wound, which is coated with sealant;
- Metal-plastic pipes can be connected in the same way;
- Polypropylene pipes are connected by soldering. To do this, use a special tool called an iron or soldering iron.
It must be said that the use of polypropylene pipes will make it possible to quickly and easily supply water to the dacha. Because the soldering process itself is very short and simple, not requiring any special skills or knowledge from the person performing it.
The soldering process is as follows:
- The material is cut into pieces of the required size, for which special scissors are used;
- Then all soldering points are degreased - this is approximately 16-20 mm away from the end;
- After this, the fat-free ends of the segments are placed in a soldering iron and heated;
- After 5-7 seconds, both parts are removed and joined together. Hold this position for about 10 seconds.
Advice! In order not to damage the material, when placing it on the soldering iron nozzle, it is not recommended to make any rotational movements.
In addition, immediately before use, the soldering iron is turned on and heated to the required temperature, that is, about 260 degrees.
Advice! For hot water supply, it is necessary to choose polypropylene materials reinforced with fiberglass or aluminum. However, the welding process is similar.
A well for water in a dacha is the main condition for the normal functioning of the site, housekeeping and the comfort of vacationers. We devoted this article to a story about how to install water supply in a country house from a well with your own hands.
Water supply of a summer cottage
System composition
In order to establish high-quality water supply for a country house and a personal plot, it is necessary to solve a set of problems. The first step is to consider the system configuration and determine what elements it will include.
We want to present a system that is standard for the present time, which consists of several main components. The table below lists these nodes with descriptions:
| Knot | Compound | Purpose and requirements |
| Water source | Well, open spring or borehole | The source must provide the volume of water of satisfactory quality necessary for farming |
| Water lifting equipment | Submersible or surface pump, pumping station | The pump must be powerful enough to lift water from depth and deliver it to the end user, while providing the necessary pressure and performance |
| External pipeline | Water supply pipe to the house, water supply system for the site for irrigation and technical needs | Must ensure reliable passage of the calculated amount of water without leaks and contamination from the well into the house, as well as deliver water to the irrigation system |
| Storage capacity and automation | Pressure tank, pressure switch with switch and pump start switch | Ensuring the required pressure, protecting pumping equipment from frequent starts |
| Filtration system | Coarse filter, fine filter | Filtration of water to ensure normal operation of equipment and plumbing, purification of water for drinking |
| Internal pipeline | A collector or sequential pipe distribution from the gyroaccumulator to each point of water consumption, fittings and plumbing equipment | Distribution of water between points of consumption inside the house |
| Heating system | Electric boiler, geyser, boiler | Heating of water for hygienic needs, washing dishes and washing clothes, as well as for the needs of the heating system (optional) |
Important!
When designing a water supply system, you must immediately take into account and calculate the drainage and treatment system.
Sewerage in a dacha most often consists of discharge pipes and a septic tank system; sometimes they make do with a storage manifold, which periodically cleans the sewer.
Previously, dacha cooperatives sometimes created a reclamation water supply system for plots, which included a pumping station and a surface pipeline that supplied water from the source to consumers. As a rule, the source was a reservoir, and it was impossible to drink such water. In addition, the design was intended for summer use only.
The scheme we considered for water supply at a dacha from a well assumes a year-round uninterrupted supply of drinking quality water, not only for irrigation and household needs, but also to ensure the normal functioning of the entire house for the city. It will allow you to use a toilet, bathroom, kitchen sink, washing machine and other amenities.
Source
The most important and significant component is the source of water supply.
There may be several options here:
- Well . The most common and traditional source outside the city, it is convenient, independent from electricity supply and has sufficiently high-quality water, but has a limited productivity reserve;
- Spring. If you are the happy owner of a spring on or near your site, you can power the supply system from it. It is distinguished by high quality water and degree of purification, as well as good productivity and an almost inexhaustible supply;
- Well on sand. Shallow well or Abyssinian needle. Its characteristics are similar to a well, but it is less convenient and depends on the availability of electricity if there is no mechanical pump;
- Artesian well. The highest quality source of water, the purity of which is unrivaled. Distinctive features are the high price of work and equipment, good resources and high quality of raw materials, the need for permits and legal responsibility for the condition of the facility.
If you received a well from the previous owners of the property, you can use it. Find out from your neighbors what the quality of water is in their wells, whether it is constantly available or disappears depending on the season and weather conditions, and then feel free to proceed with the installation of the remaining components.
Important!
The well is convenient because you can always get water with a simple bucket on a rope, regardless of pipeline or pumping equipment breakdowns, power outages and other circumstances.
A spring on the site is such a rare piece of luck that we will not consider this option. We consider that we were unlucky and there is no spring nearby.
A sand well is the most acceptable type of well, since it does not require a very deep shaft and can be done with your own hands. As a rule, the depth of the bottom of such a well is from 10 to 35 meters, sometimes it is necessary to go down 50 meters.
Advice!
If the groundwater level in your area is high, then you can make an Abyssinian spring - a pipe with a needle, which is driven into the ground until the water level.
An artesian well costs a lot of money. In addition, you will need to formalize it, having previously received permission from Rospotrebnadzor and the territorial Center for State Monitoring of the Condition of Subsoil, since artesian water is classified as a strategic reserve and is protected by the state.
For the same reason, you will be responsible for misuse of the well and contamination of the aquifer.
Attention!
If your plot is smaller than 60x60 m, then you will be able to obtain permission only as an exception, and if it is smaller than 30x30 meters, then you will not see an artesian well.
Pump equipment
To lift water from the depths and supply it to the storage tank, you will need a pump.
There are two types of well pumps:
- Submersible or deep. They are located at a depth under the water column and are capable of ensuring its rise to a height of up to 150 meters, depending on the power;
- Superficial. They are located on the surface and are capable of raising water to a maximum of 8 meters, with an external ejector - up to 45 meters.
Deep units are considered more reliable and of higher quality, but they are also more expensive. In addition, they are absolutely silent for the residents of the house, as they are located under water. The disadvantage is difficult maintenance and repair, the need to supply power to the well.
Surface pumps are relevant for shallow wells and wells located near the house. Nowadays, the most popular pumping stations are those equipped with a hydraulic accumulator and automatic pump start/shutdown depending on the pressure in the system. They have lower performance and noise problems, especially when installed inside the house.
System installation
It will take a lot of time and effort to independently establish a water supply for your dacha from a well.
Our instructions will help you not to make mistakes and organize your work correctly:
- First, you need to carry out excavation work and dig a trench at least 1.5 meters deep from the house to the water source. An insulated caisson should be installed around the well head so that the water does not rise above the freezing level;
- Then you should install the pump and set up its operation, perform a test run and pump the well;
- After installing the deep-well pump, the vertical pipe is led into the caisson; if the pump is surface-mounted, its outlet pipe is simply left untouched. A water supply pipe is laid in a trench on a sand bed, which is connected to a vertical pipe or pump outlet through an elbow or fitting;
- A hydraulic accumulator of 60–200 liters is installed in the basement of the house, which is connected to a water supply pipe. A starter is also assembled nearby, which powers the pump with electricity; the starter is powered through a pressure switch, which controls the pressure in the battery tank using a pressure gauge. The hydraulic accumulator is connected to the collector of the internal water supply system;
- From the collector, pipes are routed to the water heating boiler, bathtub, kitchen sink, toilet, washstands, and a connection is made for irrigation. Hot water supply pipes are run from the boiler to the bathtub, sink and washbasin;
- They start the pump and fill it, check the operation of the automatic start and shutdown system, the integrity and tightness of the pipes, the operation of the plumbing and the performance of the system. When all taps are open, there should be normal pressure;
- If the test was successful, the trench is buried, having previously sealed the entry point of the pipe into the well and into the house. Great article 0
Even the most novice and inexperienced strategist of a gardening campaign knows that the outcome of the battle for the harvest depends entirely on the level of organization of water supply in the area.
If water is delivered to the beds using a good old bucket, agricultural activity turns into Sisyphean labor.
And it’s undignified to somehow trample country paths with a ladle or watering can in your hands at a time when stores are filled with plastic pipes and parts from which a water supply system can be assembled literally with your bare hands. Let's see how you can make summer water supply at your dacha, and what materials are best to use for this.
The main and very pleasant feature of seasonal water supply is its low cost.
This is due to the fact that during the construction of the system you will not have to worry about measures to prevent water from freezing.
The pipes will not need to be buried in deep trenches, and the areas that are on the surface will not need to be wrapped with a heating cable and insulated.
Thus, summer water supply is very affordable and will be affordable even for a financially limited gardener.
Typically, when designing seasonal water supply, two options are considered.
Open (collapsible) water supply
The simplest method of installation is in which pipes are placed on the surface of the earth. Requires a minimum of labor costs, but has a number of disadvantages:
- At the end of the season, the system will have to be disassembled and stored for storage, and reassembled in the spring.
- In the absence of owners on the site, the water supply may be stolen.
- The pipes laid on top make it difficult to walk.
If plastic pipes and parts are used, they can easily be damaged by sharp tools.
Hidden (permanent)
It is laid in shallow trenches with access to the surface of several water collection points.
According to the list of advantages and disadvantages, it is the complete opposite of the option described above.
It does not interfere, does not require annual installation/disassembly, it is difficult to steal, but you will have to tinker a little more with the device.
Pipes must be laid with a slope that will allow water to drain before the onset of cold weather.What pipes are used for summer water supply in the country?
Assembling a country water supply system from steel pipes is a highly irrational solution.
The advantages of steel - strength and heat resistance - have no value in the conditions of country water supply.
But the disadvantages - susceptibility to corrosion, overgrown with dirt and salts, difficulty in processing and heavy weight (especially important in the case of a collapsible water supply system) - are manifested to the fullest extent.
A much more suitable option are polymer pipes - made of polypropylene (PP) or low-density polyethylene (HDPE). They are lightweight, do not rust, and have a perfectly smooth surface on which nothing is deposited. The pipes are supplied in coils that can easily fit in the trunk of a car. Let's look at each type of plastic in detail.
In order for the well to serve for a long time and to prevent dirt from getting into it, a superstructure resembling a house is built over it. , and also consider how necessary this element is.
Advantages of polypropylene pipes
Summer water supply at the dacha made of polypropylene pipes is a winning option. The most important advantage of PP pipes is the ability to make permanent connections in an extremely simple way.
Before assembly, two parts are heated with a special tool - a soldering iron - to the melting temperature, as a result of which their walls are fused into one at the moment of connection.
Laying water supply from PP pipes to a country house
The risk of leaks is reduced to zero. Therefore, polypropylene pipes are especially appropriate for hidden installation of water pipes.
Despite its simplicity, soldering PP parts requires some practice, albeit very little. It is better for a novice installer to practice a little on unnecessary parts or pipe scraps.
For laying summer water supply pipes, PN10 or PN16 grades should be used (the numbers indicate the maximum permissible pressure), which do not have reinforcement.Features of HDPE pipes
Summer water supply at the dacha from HDPE pipes is assembled by hand.
The only tools you will need are a hacksaw for cutting pipes and a special cone-shaped miter knife.
The nuts on the fittings are tightened only by hand - if wrenches are used, the connection may be overtightened, as a result of which leaks will soon begin in this place.
Do-it-yourself summer water supply at the dacha - stages of installation work
The sequence of actions when installing a water supply system looks approximately as follows:
- A detailed network diagram is drawn up in connection with the site plan. It marks not only the equipment (taps, sprinkler heads, etc.), but also all the parts of the pipeline - tees, angles, plugs, etc. The main wiring, as a rule, is made with a pipe with a diameter of 40 mm, and branches to water collection points are made with a diameter of 25 or 32 mm. The depth of the trenches is indicated. On average, it is 300 - 400 mm, but if the pipelines are located under beds or flower beds, the laying depth should be increased to 500 - 700 mm - in order to avoid damage by a cultivator or shovel. It is also necessary to consider how the system will be drained. Typically, pipes are laid with a slope towards the source or insertion into a centralized water supply system. A drain valve must be installed at the lowest point. The number and location of water taps are provided in such a way that watering the entire area can be done using short sections of hose from 3 to 5 m long. On a standard six hundred square meters there can be from 7 to 10.
- Based on the scheme, a specification is drawn up according to which equipment and materials will be purchased.
- If the country water supply is supposed to be supplied from a centralized network, it is necessary to make an insertion. The simplest method, which, moreover, does not require turning off the water, is based on the use of a special part - a saddle. It is a clamp with a seal and a threaded pipe. The saddle is installed on the pipe, then a ball valve is screwed onto its nozzle and a hole is made directly through it in the pipe wall. After this, the tap is immediately closed.
- Next, trenches are prepared for laying pipes.
- The system is assembled by connecting pipelines to taps and other elements using fittings.
- The finished water supply system should be tested for leaks by pouring water into it and observing the condition of the connections for some time.
- All that remains is to dig the trenches.
HDPE pipes have good electrical insulating properties and are also fire-resistant, which is why they are used for transporting gases and liquids. , features of marking, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, read on.
Read about how to choose a dry closet for your dacha.
Instruments and devices used in summer water supply systems
To make the water supply system more practical, the following devices are used:
- A fitting for quickly connecting the hose to the tap. On one side it has a spring grip, on the other there is a “ruff” that is inserted into the hose.
- Corrugated hoses that take up very little space when folded.
- Hoses and special components for drip irrigation.
- Sprayers and watering guns with special couplings (aquastop), which automatically shut off the water when replacing the watering device (there is no need to close the tap).
- Sprinkler and watering heads.
- Devices for organizing automatic watering - timer or soil moisture sensors.
Installation
The method of installing the pump depends on its type. A submersible pump (used for source depths greater than 8 m) is suspended on a chain or cable. If the unit is vibrating, you cannot use a metal cable - only a nylon cable.
Installation diagram of a hidden country water supply system
The surface self-priming pump should be installed on a level concrete base. It is necessary to build a canopy for it, or even better, a booth that will protect the unit from rain.
How much will summer water supply at the dacha cost? Price of components
- A HDPE pipe with a diameter of 40 mm and a wall thickness of 3.7 mm will cost 46 rubles. per linear meter (l.m.);
- the cost of a PN10 grade PP pipe with parameters 40x3.7 mm is 113 rubles/linear meter;
- a ball valve (polypropylene) with a flow area of 20 mm costs 122 rubles;
- the price of a polypropylene saddle for a pipe with a diameter of 63 mm (bend - ¾ inch) is 193 rubles;
- submersible pump Aquarius (model BTsPE 05-16U) costs 7,350 rubles.
The self-priming pump Aquarius (model BC 1.2-18) costs 3,900 rubles.
Video on the topic
Many city residents enjoy spending time at their summer cottages, not only in the summer months, but also on winter weekends. To ensure that life in a country house does not differ in comfort from the city, it is necessary to equip your site with all possible communication systems. The most important thing for a dacha is an uninterrupted supply of water. After all, without this liquid it is impossible to grow plants, and living itself cannot be considered comfortable. This article will discuss how to organize water supply at your dacha with your own hands.
Selecting a water source
Before you start installing a water supply system, you should decide on the source of water. If the village has a central water supply, then the best option would be to connect to it. But not all dacha cooperatives have such communications. Therefore, it is worth considering other options, namely:
- well;
- open source;
- special tank;
- well.
Each of them has its own positive and negative sides. The most traditional way of obtaining water in rural areas can be considered a well. In fact, it is a simple deep hole, the bottom of which reaches the aquifer. To get water from a well, it is enough to lower a bucket there or equip a pumping station (hose and pump).
But this method has its drawbacks. Firstly, if there is no well at your summer cottage, then you need to dig it. Such work is quite labor-intensive and costly. Secondly, the quality of water from the well is not always at the desired level. Of course, using such a source for watering the garden is quite acceptable, but it is not entirely suitable for drinking (it is necessary to additionally use purification and filtration systems).
Another source of water can be an open reservoir. If your cottage is located on the banks of a river or lake, then simply lower the hose there and connect it to the pumping station. This source is great for watering, but it is not suitable for drinking and cooking. In addition, you must obtain permission to use water from a river or lake for irrigation.
You can place a tank on the site. It will collect water from the drainage system or septic tank. This source is perfect for watering the garden and garden, but not for drinking. In addition, the collected water may not always be enough even for technical needs, so it is necessary to transport it by truck.
Note! The most optimal and convenient way to provide water to your summer cottage and home is a well. This is the method most often found in country houses. The water from the well is quite clean, and if it is drilled correctly, there will be enough water for all needs.
Of course, this method is not without its drawbacks. The fact is that organizing water supply from a well requires quite large costs. Firstly, the help of specialist geologists is required. It is necessary to accurately determine the location and depth of the aquifer. Of course, costs can be reduced if your neighbors have already created such a system. You can simply find out all the parameters from them. Secondly, you are unlikely to be able to drill the well yourself. You won’t be able to do this without special equipment. In addition, the pipes for the well themselves can be quite expensive. But still, this method is considered the most reliable and popular.
Plumbing system for summer and winter
Many summer residents are familiar with such names as summer and winter water supply. Everyone knows very well that each season has its own water needs. In the summer, the need for liquid increases significantly, because plants need it.
The summer water supply can be made stationary or collapsible, it all depends on the wishes of the summer resident. In the first case, it is better to use metal-plastic or polypropylene pipes. With their help, a network of pipes is created at the dacha through which water flows to the right places. Such communications can be buried in shallow trenches so that the pipes do not interfere with movement around the site.
Note! If you don’t want to lay a large number of pipes, then you can create a collapsible summer water supply system. Ordinary hoses that are connected to water distribution points are perfect for these purposes. In this case, when the cold season sets in, the hoses are simply put away in the garage or shed.
If you live on a summer cottage in the winter (or visit your country house on weekends), then you need to equip a winter water supply. But such a system will require a lot of effort. First, you need to carefully consider the location of the pipes. It is worth considering the installation of access points to the water supply both in the house itself and on the site. Secondly, it is important to choose the right material and all equipment. In addition, you need to think about ways to insulate communications, otherwise the pipes will simply freeze.
Preparatory stage
If you decide to equip your country house or the entire site with a stationary water supply system, then the first thing you need to think about is the layout of communications. First, the owner must decide on the source of water. As noted above, a well can be considered the best option.
After this, all the necessary equipment is thought out. If you only use the water supply for watering, then you will only need a pump. If you will use the system for domestic needs, then it is necessary to provide a water filtration and purification system, as well as devices for automatically turning on and off the pumping station.
Next, a drawing of the location of all devices and pipe laying is drawn up. The location of water supply points to the premises and on the site itself is thought through. Also, at the stage of drawing up the diagram, you need to clearly define the materials used and work out a plan for the upcoming work.
If we talk about materials, then, as a rule, polypropylene or metal-plastic pipes are used for laying water pipes. Their cross-section will depend on the individual characteristics of the water supply. Here it is worth taking into account the pump power, water pressure, length of communications and other factors.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of pump. The choice will depend on the source of water and your financial capabilities. For example, if you take water from a well, then you will need a submersible pump. For a well, you need to choose a deep unit. The best, but also the most expensive option, is the purchase of a pumping station. Such a unit is already equipped with all the necessary automation and water purification devices.
Work on arranging a water supply system at the dacha
When a diagram has been drawn up and all the necessary materials and devices have been prepared, you can begin the work itself on creating a water supply system. The first step is to mark the route of pipes and equipment installation locations.
Then trenches are dug for laying communications. It is important to maintain the depth correctly; it should be below the freezing level of the soil (if you are going to use the water supply in winter).
Don't forget about a place to lay the armored cable from which the pump will be powered. It can be laid in the same trench with pipes or made as a separate line. If the water source is located near the house, then it is better to make an overhead line.
Note! Connection of pumping equipment must be carried out using a separate machine, the power of which complies with the requirements of the equipment operating instructions.
Next, the pump is installed and connected. Everything will depend on the selected water source. In each case, the installation of pumping equipment, and, accordingly, the order of its connection, will be different.
After installing the pumping equipment, the water supply pipes are connected. Then the tightness and performance of the entire system is checked. After this, you can fill the trenches.
About insulation
If you are going to use the water supply system in winter, then you should think about insulating communications and all equipment. Without such additional protection, the water supply system will not function.
In order to receive water during the winter period, the following rules must be observed during installation:
- The depth of pipe laying should be below the soil freezing level. This indicator can be obtained from construction companies or obtained information from special reference books.
- Insulate the pipes. For these purposes, various materials can be used. The main thing is that they can easily withstand exposure to aggressive environments and do not rot. Quite often, mineral or glass wool is used as insulation. Recently, a new way to protect pipes from freezing has appeared - this is a polystyrene foam shell. This material fits the pipes tightly, is easy to install and is not subject to rotting. You can also use a heating cable, but this method will require additional operating costs.
- In addition to pipes, it is imperative to insulate the equipment used, as well as the water source. If a wooden well is used as such, then additional thermal insulation is not needed. But concrete structures must be insulated without fail. As a rule, a pit is dug around a water source to a depth below the freezing level of the soil. Then it is filled with thermal insulation material.
If the entire system is done correctly and insulation is done, then the water supply will work uninterruptedly. But, nevertheless, during abnormal cold weather it is better to take advice from specialists. During this period, it is better to leave the tap open. A small trickle of water will create movement in the pipes, which will prevent the water from freezing.