GA Perennial Plant Data

Water Cisterns

GPPA will no longer be selling water tanks, but Ashe-Simpson Nursery still plans to offer them. ************************************************ With the drought in full force, President Sara Henderson was fortunate to find a source for 275 gallon containers that could be converted to water cisterns for our use. Board member Carole Simpson offered to store the containers and make them available through her nursery Ashe-Simpson, at 4961 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30341 770-458-3224. The purchaser must arrange for pickup. The containers are being sold by GPPA. Some questions have arisen about retrofitting the containers to this purpose. They were originally designed to store printing ink, among other uses. The following photos suggest one way that the openings in the containers can be rigged for use. (click on thumbnails to see larger images)
Information PDF on these containers PDF on Sump Pump use	Some of the containers have male connections, some female connections, but all have a shutoff at the outlet. These photos show a cistern with a male connector. The connector was covered by a 2" heavy duty hub converter which was then also placed over a 2" PVC reducer. The 2" stainless steel shielded coupling (hub converter) includes a rubber fitting and is tightened down by two hose clamps to insure a good fit. 2" PVC connections do not fit the thread on the containers. The PVC reducer is designed to reduce from 2" PVC to 1/2". One further 1/2" to 3/4" male adaptor reduces the fittings to garden hose size. Use pipe tape to insure a good seal. A hose end sprayer with shutoff at the other end of the hose further insures that water will not be lost through leakage. In this instance the homeowner plans to gravity feed water from a higher than garden location. Total cost $6.93
The bottom of a gutter spout was removed and directed into a large PVC pipe. Elbow connections direct rainwater runoff into tank. A collar of landscape fabric keeps debris and mosquitoes from entering the water.		Member Chuck Young used flexible hosing and the collar of a dryer vent to protect his water from insects.
Water Conservation Tips from Conserve Water Georgia