Does anyone have any hints for low budget conversion of an in-ground, concrete swimming pool (30,000 litres) to a water tank? The plan is for use on the garden or for emergencies, as I presume bringing the water up to potable standards would be too expensive.
convert swimming pool to water tank
(19 posts) (17 voices)-
guy
Memberyou will probably need a light proof / animal proof cover across the entire pool
sunlight makes water green and animal crap and bodies will make it dangerous
you probably need a basic filter for the incoming water but as long as you keep it dark and sealed you shouldn't have too many problems.
Posted Sunday 25 Jan 2009 @ 11:54:31 pm from IP # -
Sam
MemberHello,
Friends of mine did this though I'm not sure of the cost.
They had someone essentially put a concrete lid on top of the pool, with a trap door for access, and a pump next to it for pressure.
It was plumbed to the house to their bathroom and laundry.
Posted Saturday 20 Jun 2009 @ 12:27:03 pm from IP # -
Cactipus
MemberLynnday, Did you get any results from other research of this issue since your post is a little old? I also have been looking and so far as Sam mentioned the most reasonable method is to put a lid on the pool, of course I believe the top of the pool has to be broken down first so that it can be buried under the ground. The convenience is that the pool is already plumbed for an outlet. I did see another option as well, http://www.elmich.com.au/projects/pool.php These guys seem to do a good job as well although I'm not sure of costs etc.
Posted Tuesday 23 Jun 2009 @ 8:55:52 am from IP # -
I don't know if this has been done before but could you use a giant bladder inside the pool in conjunction with a roof of some sort so that you didn't have to worry about contamination from falling objects and perhaps improve the safety too?
Posted Tuesday 23 Jun 2009 @ 11:01:58 am from IP # -
Sam
MemberI like Munter's idea.
If you did pop a giant bladder in the pool, you could build/have built decking over the top - raised by 30cms or so to clear any pool edges.
Although, I don't know the size of a 30,000 litre pool and the supports needed to keep decking from sagging.
My friends who had a concrete lid put on their pool didn't dig down to make the structure level with the ground; they now merely step up to walk on it.
Posted Wednesday 24 Jun 2009 @ 8:15:37 am from IP # -
Eskimoau
MemberTry this as a solution http://www.tankless.com.au/. In researching underground water tanks this mob appeared to have one to the best systems.
Posted Wednesday 24 Jun 2009 @ 8:34:22 pm from IP # -
cactipus1
MemberMy pool is now no longer a pool.
We've;
-Cut the top 40cm off the pool with a demolition saw
-Laid galvanised metal channel (usually used for pouring floors in apartment buildings) across the pool.
-Supported this inside with timber until the concrete sets
-Laid reinforcing mesh and bars across the top (to engineers specs)
-Inserted a manhole
-Poured 120mm of concrete over the top.
-Connected all of the downpipes from the house to the tank. (In this case two submersible pumps in pits were required to return the water which flows away from the tank)
-Connected a pressure pump that can be swithched between the whole house, the bathrooms or just the toiletsNext step is to put 200mm of soil over the top and put in a raised veggie garden.
What have we gained?
- a 45000 lite tank.
- a back yard.
- the removal of an energy and water hungry beast.
- Free water. The roof on average will collect 175000 litres per year which will easily fill the tank many times over per year.Richard
Posted Sunday 6 Dec 2009 @ 8:18:12 am from IP # -
jacintac
MemberCertainly would make a good ReNew article. Cactipus1, you're welcome to contact me via renew@ata.org.au to discuss a story. Hope to hear from you!
Jacinta (from ReNew)Posted Tuesday 22 Dec 2009 @ 4:34:09 am from IP # -
smiels
MemberI did see this underground tank system on an SBS gardening show. Not sure if this is the same company but was a similar product. You basically put in a liner. Put in the plastic matrix thingies and then you cover the top with the liner or a geo fabric and then you can cover it with soil and grow a garden or lawn over the top. http://www.atlantiscorp.com.au/index.php
Posted Monday 15 Feb 2010 @ 10:48:51 am from IP # -
Liyambai
MemberHi, Cactipus1. I would like to do with our pool what you have done with yours. I would much appreciate your advice on how you went about it, as I do not have any building experience. I would also appreciate the info that Chookie has asked you for.
Many thanks!Posted Monday 15 Feb 2010 @ 9:45:55 pm from IP # -
northryder
MemberHi Cactipus1, I am very keen on your post and would like the same at my property, I would appreciate precise details on how you achieved the above and what were the costs Many Thanks!
Posted Friday 9 Apr 2010 @ 12:01:31 pm from IP # -
Apologies for digging up an old post, but I have a pool that's not really being used to warrant the water and electricity being used to sustain it. The unfortunate thing is that it's located at the side of the house where ideally I'd like to build a double garage. I don't really want to just fill the pool in though, if it's possible to convert it into a water tank. The problem I believe lies in the fact that from an engineering perspective, whether or not it would be possible to build on top of the old pool considering the weight of two cars, plus garage and all other ancillaries. Anyone else heard of this being done? I'm located in Perth, so the ability to a large water tank in an established area is a bonus.
Posted Saturday 14 May 2011 @ 12:38:32 am from IP # -
Jan Hindmarsh
MemberHi chazwah I live in Mount Waverley and am looking to convert my swimming pool and was wondering whether I could get your details so that you could give me a quote on doing the job. I have a 32,000 litre pool 4.05m x 9.2m which is the outside measurements. The walls are 450mm thick. 4 feet deep.
I want to eventually build a new unit over the top of it. I intend on being fully self sufficient with water and power. At the moment I have a 1Kw system on the roof and the electricity company is paying me around $280.00 a year.Posted Saturday 26 Nov 2011 @ 5:22:33 am from IP # -
chazwah
MemberHi Jan,
Here is my email,
cmochon@bigpond.net.auI will need to have a look and prob get engineer involved and even building permit if you looking at building on top,but should not be impossible.
Send me an email with your phone no and i could have a look later this week.Posted Sunday 27 Nov 2011 @ 12:16:53 am from IP #
