a flow rate question

[seafarer]

Anyone have an opinion on how many gallons per minute the pump should be for my house demand system. The pump would have to move water from a storage tank about 20 feet away to fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen in our cabin.

I have seen pumps rated from 2.8 to 3.5 gpm. This is a fairly small cabin with one bathroom, kitchen.

[kawalekm]

Your typical shower head delivers about 2.5 gallons per minute, so those pumps are just marginally exceding that. If you are alone in the cabin that might be OK, but if some else is washing dishes while you are taking a shower, than that might be problematic.

Our cabin is set up somewhat differently. Our well pump delivers water to a holding tank up the hill from the cabin, and water can flow down by gavity flow. Downside is you need a bigger pump to first get it up the hill (besides needing a hill to put the tank on), but upside is that there is no pressure tank or pressure tank noise when water is being drawn.
Michael

[tufhelp]

I have a situation where I already have to pump uphill, way uphill! Our house is about 150' above the well which is located in the bottom land near the river. The pressure varies as the water is running and forget about two water uses at the same time. I'm considering the storage tank method, but with a slight twist.

When we worked overseas, the municipal water flow was just below pathetic so everyone had a 500 - 1000 gallon storage tank outside their house with an on demand pump attached. When the tap would be opened in the house the pump supplied great pressure. Most were steel tanks painted dark gray. Never had any issues with growing things in the tanks - no sunlight I guess.

An interesting aside, this was in Saudi Arabia and during the summer, the outside tank water became hot in the sun and that was our hot water and the hot water heater in the house was turned off and subsequently became the cold water source because the air conditioning cooled it off.

[richgatesolar]

Hey all,, I have a spring house about 5 feet above my house 300 ft away and I went and got a shallow well pump at HD and it works great, I have to let the water bypass through the house during the winter to prevent freezing but with a few check valves it works fine no difference in pressure with one fixture running or 3 cost is $200.00 US,,,,Peace,,, Richgate