Connect the Rain Tank to the Garden Irrigation System
I have a pump to pull water from the rainwater harvesting tank and send it to the garden. The plan is to turn off the well pump and close it’s ball valve. Then turn on the tank pump. So it can take over watering when the drip irrigation timers come on in the garden.
The pump will be set up in the shed on the left there. And I’ll run a 1″ water line underground and tie into the garden system. I ran a string line between two stakes to mark my trench location.
Existing Underground Water Lines
I cut the sod with a spade. And enlisted some additional help on the other side of the fence by the garden taps.
I have to get down to the poly line to see how I’ll tie in the rainwater supply to it.
There’s nothing like digging to remind yourself that you are out of shape and need to up the cardio in your workouts.
In part 1 I roughed in a 1″ white PVC line under the curb and to the corner of the shed. I’ll now continue that line up and through the shed wall. This is the supply line from the rainwater harvesting tank.
A galvanized strap will keep it secure for now.
Where this line comes up through the pea gravel I’ll add an elbow and barb fitting. Then I’ll connect this to the ball valve at the bulkhead fitting with some flexible black poly pipe.
Next I’ll add the line that comes out of the shed from the pump through the wall. This will have a tap on it as it continues down the wall and underground.
Laying Water Pipe into Trench
Now it’s a matter of wrangling a roll of poly pipe into the trench. I’ll rough cut it to length and lay it in.
I’ll cut the existing supply line that comes in from the irrigation well and add a T. It’s a bit of muscle work to get it all to fit before I squeeze the poly pinch clamps.
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Then on the shed side I run the poly pipe into the other barbed fitting and clamp it. All the outdoor plumbing is done.
I bought a half horsepower jet pump with a small pressure tank attached. It came with a 20/40 pressure switch. On at 20 psi and off at 40 psi.