Unlike water cisterns that are fixed onto roofs, water cisterns that are placed above the ground do not have gravity to help pull the water down to enter your home plumbing. Therefore, if you have an above-ground water cistern, you will have to install a pump to allow water to flow into your home plumbing. Not only that, you will also need a foot valve to stop water from flowing back to the cistern after use. For safety purposes, make sure you switch off your main breaker or you risk getting electrocuted.
- First of all, place the pump inlet, which is located at the bottom of the pump into the well. You will have to cover it with a rock screen to prevent debris or rocks from entering the pump, hence damaging it.
- You will also need to install the foot valve which will prevent water from flowing back into the pump. This should be installed at the end of the pipe, attached to the pump inlet, at least five feet below the water level.
- Next, connect the inlet to the outlet on the water pump with either a pipe or a hose and secure it with the adapter that comes with the water pump. Ensure that the adapter is attached tightly.
- After that, match the wires up by colour to the pump\’s wire terminal. Make sure that you screw the wires in properly. Keep in mind that the white wire is for the negative terminal and black wire is for the positive terminal.
- For the next step, make sure that the foot valves are open. Fill the pump up with water from the priming port onto the pump before putting the port plug back on. Fasten it with a plumbing wrench.
- Once you have made sure that everything has been installed and tightened, turn the electricity back on and start the pump.
- Your pump is now ready to pump water into your home\’s plumbing system.
Additional Reading:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-install-a-water-cistern-pump
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thenationalguard/3654398184/
