cistern

[oldtimer]

Any of you all use a cistern for your water supply? If so, do you haul the water in, pump it in and use it as a settling tank, or do you catch the rain water off the roof?

How about the GEM brand cistern pump. Anyone know where a person can find parts for one?

[J R Adams]

The last (only) working cistern I ever saw was on an Aunt's farm in SD about 1950.

It collected rain water from the roof via a gutter system. The water was used for laundry and bathing (in the summer kitchen heated on the stove).

Drinking water and cooking water came from a deep well.

Those are some "god old days" I can pass on.

[oldtimer]

LOL :D Lots of our fellow South Dakotans are still living that way;

[Mike LI]

Lehmans.com

They have the chains and the buckets.

Good luck.

I edited this cuz I went back and looked.

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Water___Water_Pumps___Shallow_Wells___Lehman_s__Ch ain_Pump___20301000?Args=

Whole parts list there.

[oldtimer]

Thanks Mike,

THe GEM pump was a wonderful pump since it delivered a steady stream of water instead of the little splashes of water that other style cistern pumps do.

[Mike LI]

Lemme know if it works out for ya. Good luck.

[oldtimer]

I have a Monkey Wards pump right now plus a pitcher pump in the house. I know where a gem pump is but the chain and pipe are missing. I always admired them. Good to know you can still get parts.

[Txanne]

I have always been enthralled by cisterns.

But of course you have to have a water supply---Mine was in-ground about 30-35 foot deep.
When I moved to the old place in Bedias,Tx. It didnt have a supply system--only natural rainfall catchment.

That can be iffy--So I built a small shed--dual purpose--to store my lawn-mower and "stuff".
Ran some gutter along the front and extended to the cistern.
Any good rain gave me a few months of available water for bathing,etc.
I kept a huge piece of screen wire across the top to filter out--snakes RATS and leaves.

At one time I had a hand pump on her----while at my grand-sons graduation in Houston--someone stole it--oh well--back to the bucket and rope.

Ohhhhhh funny lesson learned --tie the ROPE off--or have spare buckets---giggle

txanne