Reservoir for watering cows

[Bald Rick]

We have an excellent borehole but it sends me into meltdown at the thought of it failing at any point.
We could sink another one as backup or dig a reservoir in the marshy area for about the same cost.

Question: Are there any disadvantages to abstracting water from a reservoir to water cows throughout the year?

Filling it isnt likely to be an issue other than potential field run-off although we can have a decent buffer if necessary

 

[Beef farmer]

You not got mains back up? How much water do you currently store?

 

[ClusterClean Systems]

https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/49000-litre-galvanised-steel-water-tank.html

Large surface water tank?

49000 litres for £1500?
Think you can get larger.

Keep it covered to keep the light, algea, bugs and bird muck out of the water to keep it clean.

 

[lazy farmer]

we have 120000 litre version of the tank shown above.which fills on a floating valve the water is then pumped through a UV filter around the farm.

 

[Beef farmer]

I wanted to use a tank as above, but the slightest scratch and it would rust out and be gone within a few years. Plastic arnt that dear and easily movable. We store 70k at one and 50k at another, so gives us a good 36 hours to sort any issues.

 

[lazy farmer]

i take your point but ours has a liner and looks as new 7 yrs in

 

[Bald Rick]

You not got mains back up? How much water do you currently store?

Yes we have mains. In fact we have a 9" main crossing the farm but our off take was put in years ago and is only 25mm (& may be less as it is black alkathene) so there is no way it would water the sheds adequately. We could look to plumb in a much bigger pipe of course.
Storage wise, we each shed has a 5000 litre tank to hold water and one has 12000. The problem would occur if the borehole fails so am looking for a back up and it crossed my mind that a reservoir would hold phenomenal amounts of water relatively cheaply as all we would have to do is merge a number of ponds in the marsh into one great big hole

 

[vantage]

Yes we have mains. In fact we have a 9" main crossing the farm but our off take was put in years ago and is only 25mm (& may be less as it is black alkathene) so there is no way it would water the sheds adequately. We could look to plumb in a much bigger pipe of course.
Storage wise, we each shed has a 5000 litre tank to hold water and one has 12000. The problem would occur if the borehole fails so am looking for a back up and it crossed my mind that a reservoir would hold phenomenal amounts of water relatively cheaply as all we would have to do is merge a number of ponds in the marsh into one great big hole

You could ask for a larger water meter,we had a 50 mm installed as a backup.
No problem with reservoir,so long as water does not stand stagnant and replenishes reasonably quickly.

 

[O'Reilly]

Yes we have mains. In fact we have a 9" main crossing the farm but our off take was put in years ago and is only 25mm (& may be less as it is black alkathene) so there is no way it would water the sheds adequately. We could look to plumb in a much bigger pipe of course.
Storage wise, we each shed has a 5000 litre tank to hold water and one has 12000. The problem would occur if the borehole fails so am looking for a back up and it crossed my mind that a reservoir would hold phenomenal amounts of water relatively cheaply as all we would have to do is merge a number of ponds in the marsh into one great big hole

So you're worried that the borehole runs out of water, rather than the pump failing? Seems unlikely, given the rainfall in your area, and the other likely users wouldn't be that big?
Anyway, the only thing that crossed my mind, was marshy area = fluke. Can't remember the life cycle off the top of my head to know how much of a risk it would be, but it should be considered I would think.

 

[Bald Rick]

So you're worried that the borehole runs out of water, rather than the pump failing? Seems unlikely, given the rainfall in your area, and the other likely users wouldn't be that big?
Anyway, the only thing that crossed my mind, was marshy area = fluke. Can't remember the life cycle off the top of my head to know how much of a risk it would be, but it should be considered I would think.

No, I think it's unlikely to run out of water per se. My concern is that something goes wrong like a pump failing and not being able to lift it out (the borehole is 70m down) to replace or the electrics go to pot. And Sods Law states that it is likely to go wrong on a bank holiday weekend
Also, it was installed to cope with around 400 cows and we are likely to go beyond that shortly so a good back up is essential for peace of mind if nothing else

 

[TomB]

Plenty of storage is great, but you are unlikely to notice the pumps not working until the reservoir is empty? Wouldn't be too expensive to keep a spare pump?

 

[Kevtherev]

What volume of storage would you need approximately?

 

[The Happy Herdsman]

How would you be getting the water from the reservoir? If you are pumping it out are you not doubling your jeopardy by having two pumps that could potentially fail. Add to that the problems of an open resevoir, stagnant water and ingress of foreign objects. If there is a good main across the farm then surely your best bet would be to use the money and pay for a 50mm meter and a couple of stop valves. Then for your usage pray you never have to use them.

 

[Kidds]

i take your point but ours has a liner and looks as new 7 yrs in

Ours is 20 and looks the same as new.
We don't crash into it with things mind.

 

[Nearly]

Plenty of storage is great, but you are unlikely to notice the pumps not working until the reservoir is empty? Wouldn't be too expensive to keep a spare pump?

Keep the spare pump down a spare borehole?

 

[Bald Rick]

Can anyone recommend a good borehole drilling company? We used Wyatt's of Whitchurch, Shropshire last time but I understand that they have gone out of business.

 

[MF565]

Can anyone recommend a good borehole drilling company? We used Wyatt's of Whitchurch, Shropshire last time but I understand that they have gone out of business.

we currently have J P Whitter putting a second borehole in at work, seem to be going ok done 2 at this farm and one at bosses cousin's farm without a problem.
http://www.waterwellengineers.co.uk/