Off-Grid Living: Vital Water Strategies for Self-Sustaining Properties

A reliable water source might be the number one factor of self-sufficiency for the off-grid homesteader. The first challenge the off-grid resident might face when they aren’t tapping into a municipal source is securing a consistent, clean, and safe water supply. We’ll walk through some important water strategies below to help make your off-grid lifestyle not only possible, but enjoyable and sustainable.

Self-Sufficiency Begins

Every off-grid site involves a basic question: where is the water coming from? Some places have the luxury of surface water from various streams and ponds but having a reasonable and reliable supply of groundwater from a well is the gold standard for reliability and safety. If designed properly, a well continues to be the backbone of independence from an off-grid water supply concern.

The first step towards achieving this goal is to study, evaluate and assess the site you will be living. Are you on a site that has shallow or deep seasonal water tables? What is the underlying rock and soil type for aquifers? What is the precipitation rates in your area? Is there surface water near you (like a stream or pond)? Are there any possible sources of contamination (roads, industrial sites)? You can always hire professionals to hydrogeological surveys, or you can find off-grid and longer term land occupants that have experience in dowsing, or water witching, and others that use newer technologies like satellite imaging to find a better well spot.

Beyond Basic Well Systems

Traditional well systems require electrical power—often substantial amounts, creating a significant challenge for those living off the grid. This is where innovative solutions like the Well Harvester® from Epp Well Solutions have transformed possibilities for homesteaders. These advanced systems are specifically designed with off-grid properties in mind, offering energy-efficient operation that modest solar arrays or other alternative energy sources can power.

All the developed well-pumping technology is changing the game for off-grid-ers. Traditional submersible pumps can use up to 240 volts and several thousand watts to start, while a high-efficiency system like the Well Harvester® can do the same pumping, but use much less power.

We can thank DC pump technology for its elimination of AC conversion, variable frequency drives, low startup current designs, increasingly intelligent controllers configured to manage pumping cycles based on available energy.

We can generally say that a 400-watt solar array can operate a complete water system for a family homestead—at least very good compared to systems powered by generators and large investments in renewable energy.

Water Storage Issues

Even with a reliable well, water storage is still less critical for off-grid properties. Water storage tanks can buffer equipment down time, provide pressure without pumping, and allow seasonal harvests. Most successful homesteads have multiple storage options that include some type of primary system for household use, some type of secondary system for irrigation, and some type of emergency supply for a failed system.

When designing your storage system, how to size based on daily use, and a hopeful resilience strategy has to be addressed. Many will guide this in a general way that aims for two weeks of household water supply, which for a household of four, means 1,400-2,100 gallons (using 50-75 gallons per person per day as reasonable/low). Self-sufficient homesteadists typically want to design for 30-60 day supply as a higher performing plan, but this will vary by how ambitious you want to be.

When selecting storage tank materials, you should take time and consideration for your specific circumstance. Poly tanks are affordable and convenient, however, can have longevity issues (10-15 years). Concrete cisterns have longevity and natural buffering with pH, but is a permanent installation. Stainless steel tank options have longevity with better water quality, but more of an investment. Fiberglass tanks have longevity and transportability/moderate price quote.

Placement of your storage matters too. Underground or banked storage will keep the water temperature more consistent, so that it minimizes freezing in winter and warms from sun in summer, but these will require more initial investment as well as monitoring and maintainence.

Pressure Systems for Practical Living

Pressure-fed is often considered the gold standard for simplicity and reliability, but it often requires elevation differences that often will not work for many properties. Most homes with all the luxuries typically use one of a number of practical methods to accomplish useful water pressure.

These methods include pressure tanks with DC pump controller that maintain system pressure in an acceptable range, elevated storage options which, provide minimal static pressure from elevation, on-demand systems that activate when a fixture uses water, or combinations of systems that provide redundancy.

The Epp Well Solutions approach integrates pressure management with intelligent energy usage, automatically adjusting pumping cycles based on household demands and available renewable energy—a particularly valuable feature for homesteads with variable solar production.

Treating Water for Safe Consumption

Unlike municipal water, the water from a well at an off grid property is not treated before arriving at the premises. Homesteaders are responsible for deciding how to purify their water based on its water quality. Many off grid systems use some combination of sediment filtration to remove solids, carbon filtration (taste improvement, odor removal/chemical contaminants), UV sterilization (biological contaminants), reverse osmosis (complete purification) and softeners (hard water).

The method used to treat water should be determined by water testing. Testing should take place before the property is purchased, after a completed well, regularly annually or biannually for routine maintenance, when taste, appearance or odor seems unusual, and after a significant environmental event (flooding, construction, etc.).

Conservation Practices (it is important to provide not just a sufficient water supply, but also careful consumption of water). In order to be truly water-independent, homesteaders will use 50-70 percent less water than equivalent homes that are consuming water unconsciously. Mindful conservation practices are the best way of assuring adequate water for family consumption and home activities and many of the successful off grid homesteaders have far exceeded 50 percent conservation.

Conclusion

Water independence is probably the single biggest factor of the off-grid lifestyle. Establishing a designed water system (well harvester® system) + correspondingly appropriated stewardship will offer a homesteader considerable water independence and water security in the future. Of course, initially you will have to have a concentrated investment (infrastructure + knowledge) to achieve this level of water independence, but this investment to provide you with safety and peace of mind will be worth it!