We use town water. A year ago when we requested connection, it took months before we actually had running water. As we have found out, sometimes during dry season and festivals, there is a lack of water. Therefore, a lot of people have a tank, or more, to have a supply on hand. Then you need a pump (and electricity) to get it into the house.
Last year before the first tank was installed, we actually went several days without water. Thankfully we were not yet living here.
This year there has been no problem to date, but in anticipation we now have two tanks.
We should be good for a week with fairly normal usage if the water dries up. Longer if we are careful.
As soon as the new concrete pad was dry, the installation was quick, and easy.
The other project was getting a new septic tank. The old one was functional but had a leak somewhere under ground. For Daryl the best option was to get a new one. The work was scheduled to begin on a Monday.
Supplies arrived, and one guy worked using a pick axe to expose the existing sewer pipe.
The next day a crew and the excavator arrived, it took about three hours to dig two holes. As soon as the first hole was dug, the workers were inside it, finishing up the digging by hand.
Before the second hole was dug a dump truck showed up to remove the extra dirt.
While two guys were inside the first hole, squaring it up, the other guy was building the frame to start pouring concrete.
The tank frame was started with one layer of bricks, then concrete was poured for the floor.
Those guys were fast. It took two days to do the floor, sides and parging.
My understanding of how this works: Waste goes into the first hole ‘the tank’, and solids settle to the bottom. Liquids go through a pipe into the second hole and disappears down somewhere. I know! a very technical description.
A truck showed up and filled the second hole with rocks.
The workers evened out the rocks, put down a layer of fabric to prevent organics from growing, levelled it out with soil and it was pretty well done.
While the rock hole was being filled in, another guy was building the form to lay on top of the tank. First there was a layer of wood, then the rebar form, and then concrete.
The next morning a guy showed up to join the existing sewer pipe into the new tank and it was finished. A week from the first hand dug trench to expose the old sewer pipes to completion! Now we should have the capacity for lots of water to come in and safely leave.
Only one casualty! A tree had to be moved as it was vey droopy after being jostled about.
Cheers
Ruth
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