7 replies to this topic

[Groundhog]

For anyone not using a private water supply it is worth checking when installing any new troughs or taps that you comply by fitting non return taps ensure ballcocks are set correctly.I have known Thames water to do site checks to ensure compliance and they can prosicute if you contaminate their water supply.Example being hose pipe with no non return in tap being left on floor in dung heap drawing back effluent to the main,ballcock submerged in dirty drinking trough.Especially poultry where there might be lots of individual drinkers.

[Edgar]

I've a question related to this. I have a stop cock on my field that Wessex Water tell me is mine and that I can connect to. My question is how do I best do this with respect to the water company. Do I simply ask them to fit a water meter or are there other options available to me. At the moment I will be using small quantities for cooking and washing and will later need it for 12 breeding sows.

Also there is a sewage pipe still connected to the main sewer, does anybody know how this would work with the water company if I used it to have a loo on-site? The house that was there has long disappeared. Other than my equipment shed there are no buildings in the field or connected woodland.

Thanks in advance for your replies

[shepie]

Hi Groundhog
When i had my supply installed i fitted a 3 bar pressure reducing valve to the supply line so that if any troughs were to overflow or pipes burst etc.. it wouldnt gush out with 10 bar pressure costing me a fortune , it also prevents the water from flowing back down the line, i know as i initialy installed it the wrong way round in the line and had no water all for about £40

Shepie

[shepie]

Hi Edgar

As to the water supply if you use it for agricultural purposes you will need a meter fitted , and as reguards the sewerage it will all be in with the water as in if you have a connection for your toilet then you will pay eg. 15 p / cu m for water coming in and 20 p / cu m for sewerage going out so with 12 sows that could be expencive water , they may have a different tarrif for your situation ?

Shepie

[Cornish Gems]

We know of smallholders who have mains water with a meter. We also know of those who do not! Those who do not, have dug a borehole and believe you us, it pays for itself in no time at all! What is even better is that the water you are getting free from the depths does not have all the extras that is added to mains water. At least once a week the water companies add extra fluoride. Indeed, we remember cases in Salcombe where if you changed the water in the fishtank on Wed, the fish were fine - BUT if you did it on the Thurs, they would die because they could not cope with all the additives.

Our friendly local farmer is connected to the mains, but he also uses a borehole for most of his requirements. We have water troughs which are connected to the mains but we do not use them. In actual fact, we have 'hidden' them because for our purposes the water we get from the borehole more than satisfies our requirements.

We have a local company which provides a couple of bottles and then for a £50 fee, one fills them up and the company arranges for the water to be tested. Then one can find out what kind of filter/additive one needs/if one does need one at all. We found out about this company at one of the local agricultural shows.

Speaking of local agricultural shows, we cannot recommend these too highly. We went to one of ours and found out enough info to cover the admission fee!

[Groundhog]

Hi Edgar

As to the water supply if you use it for agricultural purposes you will need a meter fitted , and as reguards the sewerage it will all be in with the water as in if you have a connection for your toilet then you will pay eg. 15 p / cu m for water coming in and 20 p / cu m for sewerage going out so with 12 sows that could be expencive water , they may have a different tarrif for your situation ?

Shepie

Thames water is in excess of 85p pcm

[gods]

Hieveryone 

Do you need the water tested if using only for livestock? We are thinking of having a borehole for agricultural use & only use mains supply for human consumption. What have others on forum used as a cost effective system (when fully stocked 6 breeding sow 200+ hens 20 sheep & lambs Polytunnel (smallish) for veg crops Christmas trees & orchard to be planted guess in 'normal' summer watering required)

Thanks

[Devon Cream]

As the meat from animals can vary according to what they have eaten which is why I like to give my pigs some apples during the week before slaughter, then surely the kind of water they are drinking will also affect the quality of the meat?

 

Don't go straight to a water company to have it tested but instead contact someone local who deals in water treatment as I believe they can get it tested cheaper.

 

I have heard some frightening stories about what has been found at the bottom of boreholes and wells and I would not want to risk any kind of contamination on the land I assume this is why a sewage treatment system, tank and pipes are supposed to be sited at least 50 metres from the borehole/well with the discharge system also at a distance of at least 50 metres away but if on any kind of slope then the discharge system should also be at a lower point on the slope.