Water Tank And Pump Really Needed?

[sms747]

Are these big water tanks with a pump that you see really necessary?, what is the function of them. I have been to our new house where we have not installed one yet and the pressure upstairs seems reasonable, don't fancy forking out at least 12k if can do without

[Khun Jean]

If they would not be necessary you can bet most Thai people would not buy them.

The pressure from "naam papa" is very low, it could not be higher because then all those blue waterpipes start blowing up.

When your neighbor flushes the toilet your pressure is gone.

There are a few exceptions and that is when a reservoir is on a considerable higher level then your house is or when you are very close to the pumps.

[Lickey]

The best time to have a shower is after 9am and after 8pm, these times dont coincide with Thais normal shower times, so the pressure will be better,

Some years ago i bought a 3000ltr tank with a mains water feed, so we have water for about 4 days if the Mains water stops, i also fitted a pump, it will feed the house/salon if needed, but the main use is for our en-suite shower room/toilet bum gun,

Total cost would be about 15k bht, for the tank, pump and pipework, its been one of my better investments in the last 6years,,

[ShopBoy]

try to turn on 2 taps .. maybe one in the kitchen and one in another restroom and check if it's still ok with the pressure upstairs.

[wayned]

If your water presssure is accceptable, don't install one. If I didn't have one I would have to take "Thai" showers, big tub and bucket to pour water over my head. We have no pressure and sometimes nop water!

[Crossy]

Yup ^^^, if your pressure is usable without don't bother. We are only 1km from the water company but the daytime pressure often won't make it the 2m up to the inlet of our tank let alone to the upstairs showers

[longball53098]

It's not just to boost pressure but to give you a backup supply of water for those unexplained losses of city water for 1, 2 and even 3 days. They (city/repair crews) are always cutting the supply for some reason and you never know when, why or for how long.

[A. BOOZER]

It's not just to boost pressure but to give you a backup supply of water for those unexplained losses of city water for 1, 2 and even 3 days. They (city/repair crews) are always cutting the supply for some reason and you never know when, why or for how long.

Too true!

[Bung]

In my case I found that just when you want to take a shower everyone is watering their gardens and also taking showers, it was a pain so I put a tank and pump in. Also helps to have extra water if the town supply pumps fail. You plumb them in so it can be bypassed and only use the pump when it is needed but I found it too much hassle to keep switching it over.

it is nice to have plenty of pressure for showers and watering the garden.

With a new house just see how it is, it may be ok and you can always easily install one later.

You could also just do what some people do and install a pump in line with the supply and suck down everyone else's pressure.....

[sms747]

I have lived in bkk 6 years but never noticed a water cut, condo must have tanks I guess. In the village (issan) there is often no water for days and when there is usually only at certain times of the day. Guess we will be looking at tanks and pumps then as a lot of neighbors not moved in yet so water hardly being used yet.

[Langsuan Man]

It is easier and cheaper to future proof your house now rather than later since you will eventually need one

[Pib]

The Pump is just to boost the pressure if needed. The tank is just to store water in case of a water outage.

I live in western Bangkok and the pressure in the main lines is 8 to 10 PSI tops as I have measured it several times; without a pump the water coming out of the taps upstairs is very, very low...makes taking a shower basically a no-go...and definitely a no-go if using a water heater since a minimum flow is needed to turn on the heater. It's hard for me to tell how often I would not have had any water if I didn't have my 850 liter storage tank which gives me enough water for approx 2 days with the lawn watering, washing cloths, bathing, and all your other normal water needs. At least several times a year there is a water main break somewhere in the moobaan we are made aware of and it usually takes the water department around 8 daylight working hours to dig up the broke pipe section and repair. If I didn't have my water storage tank it would be no water for those 8 hours....and I have no doubt there have been plenty cases of no water main line flow and I just haven't noticed it due to my water storage tank.. "Everybody" in my moobaan uses pumps and tanks....everybody...and I'm glad I'm one of the everybody in this case.

[Gary A]

In our village, the elevated water tanks are filled in the morning and we have water until they are empty, that is two or three hours. The same thing in the late afternoon. Quite frequently there is a break in one of the supply lines and there will be no water until they have time to fix the broken "PLASTIC" pipe. That is why we have an 1,800 liter storage tank and a pump. The storage tank has a float control valve so it usually stays full. The 1,800 liters will supply us for about three days when there is no village water.

On occasion the water is off for more than three days so we have two additional 1,000 liter cement jars. they are normally full of rain water and are used in those situations.

[MichaelJohn]

I guess everybody's already said it - there will be times when the pressure is too low or times when there is no water. This happens more than you realise!

We have 2 x tanks and a pump - why two I hear youy ask! Becasue sometimes the water is so dirty we leave it to settle and add chemicals to make it appear clean!

Another piece of advice would be to buy the pump that varies its speed with demand so you don't get pulsating water - the pump may cost more but it does last longer and is easier to live with.

[kawaiimomo]

Sorry for stealing the post ;-P

I just moved to a townhouse and the pressure is so low both in the ground level and first floor that I am using the tub/bucket combination to take showers lol

Can you guys recommend a not too expensive pump which I will probably inline without a tank since I don't want to carry the tank when I eventually move out?

I plan to install a water heater and washing machine. I read someone said the low pressure affects the heater, will it affect the washing machine as well?

Edit: just discovered it's illegal to pump from the line so I will need to purchase a water tank as well. Can anyone point me where to look and what price range to expect? Thanks!

Edited November 26, 2012 by kawaiimomo

[Bung]

You can get really cheap blue plastic tanks, you may even find a used one somewhere. Probably your cheapest option.

[kamalabob2]

While Grundfos, Mitsubishi or Hitachi are prominent respected brands of water pumps in Thailand, if you are renting and not looking to keep a pump ten or twenty years, you might consider looking at less expensive water pumps made by LuckyStar or Mitsuki. You may want to check more on the internet and this forum about BLUE water tanks. There are many brands of what people call "Plastic" or "Fiberglass" water tanks, and most all the tank manufacturers sell several grades / types of water tanks. Diamond Brand, Pure are just two brands, and they are readily available in every province. You might really consider an independent "pump shop" to come to your townhouse, see your current water supply, and then back at the store, where the owner will speak and understand English, can then give you a choice of pumps, tanks and way THEY would install the system so you have more confidence it is done correctly. Consider a shop that will back up the installation work and that repairs the pump on your site or at their own local facility. A key selling point is which shop will install a free LOANER pump until they fix your water pump if it breaks. There is more to a "pump & Tank" installation than just the pump, tank, a few valves and some PVC pipes. If done right, and really the installation need not be expensive, you will not have a pump motor kick on every time you turn on a tap. The larger Independent shops, especially a "pump specialist" will most often have a lower selling price, better before and AFTER the sales service, and not be a sales clerk looking to make a secret commission by foisting an unknown brand as you might see in a Chain Store. Some good information on water tanks at:

http://www.safefiberglasstank.com/Home.htm http://www.diamondbrand.co.th/index.php#

[Langsuan Man]

kawiimomo

Since you don't tell us where you live, my GF in Korat just got a 1000 liter tank, pump, plus concrete pad, all for 7,500 THB ( of course this was after I bitterly complained about paying, 7,500 just for a 1,500 liter tank)

If you are in Pattaya I recommend a tank and pump seller on Sukumvit in Naklua, easy to find since he is on the North bound side of Sukumvit and has many water tanks displayed along the road. He has a private contractor who will install what he sells. It cost me 8,000 THB for a Hitachi constant flow pump, and 900 THB for the install.

Already had two tanks and a Grundfos pump which was unsuitable for a boiler type hot water heater. For an on demand system it would have been perfect but then again I have a two story three bath house. You may get away much cheaper since you appear not to have to move that much water

[kawaiimomo]

Thanks a lot @kamalabob2 this is a very helpful post, really appreciated ;-)

EDIT: Thanks for replying @Langsuan Man, I am living in Bangkok (Din Daeng) and one bathroom is at floor level and the other between floor and first level so not really that much to push, it's just the pressure coming from the main line its already very low

Edited November 27, 2012 by kawaiimomo

[ignis]

Not common practice here, be sure the 1st thing out of your Tank is a Tap/Valve......... seen many problems with pipes here over the years, waste of time and money + a pain if you have to turn off the mains water and then empty the tank 1st.

[JaiLai]

Are these pumps that everyone is mentioning gravity fed ( ie tank needs to be above height of pump ) or do they have a good suction ( ie, pump can be installed in the garden )?

Any pro's and cons?

Thanks.

[Gary A]

I can tell you that I had an elevated tank feeding my water pump. That pressure interfered with the pump's air injector and the pump's storage tank was continually losing is air cushion. When the air cushion is gone, the pump starts every time you open a tap and stops when the tap is closed. I now take the water out of the top of my 1,800 liter tank and have never had to drain the pump's storage tank since.

[worgeordie]

I bought a tank and pump about 15 years ago,because the pipe work in

our Moo Baan was made of concrete or something like it,and every rainy

season ,the ground moved and there was broken pipes somewhere in

the estate nearly every week,then about 10 years ago the water authority,

came and replaced all the old crap pipe with the blue plastic stuff and I have

never had to use the tank since, BUT due to the low rain fall up in Chiang Mai

this season I am sure there will be a shortage of water later one, so glad I have

the tank and pump, regards Worgeordie

[Ratsima]

Since you don't tell us where you live, my GF in Korat just got a 1000 liter tank, pump, plus concrete pad, all for 7,500 THB ( of course this was after I bitterly complained about paying, 7,500 just for a 1,500 liter tank)

Where did she get it?

[meatboy]

Since you don't tell us where you live, my GF in Korat just got a 1000 liter tank, pump, plus concrete pad, all for 7,500 THB ( of course this was after I bitterly complained about paying, 7,500 just for a 1,500 liter tank)

Where did she get it?

at that price must have been second hand,was it a hand pump?

[Langsuan Man]

Since you don't tell us where you live, my GF in Korat just got a 1000 liter tank, pump, plus concrete pad, all for 7,500 THB ( of course this was after I bitterly complained about paying, 7,500 just for a 1,500 liter tank)

Where did she get it?

at that price must have been second hand,was it a hand pump?

Sorry, you are correct. the 7,500 price did not include the pump

The pump was left over from another house build

[kamalabob2]

Different Chain Stores and Different Independent Water Pump Specialist Shops often have sales or will offer a package deal including delivery and installation if you contact the store manager or store owner in person face to face. English is often spoken by Buriram Builders Merchants store managers and store owners. Luckystar is a well respected "fighting brand" of water pump in Buriram Province. Certainly an appropriate model and properly installed Grundfos, Mitsubishi or Hitachi Water Pump would serve the long term needs of an expat.

The total price as Langsuan Man mentioned includes the concrete pad along with other items. Here are two photos of inexpensive Water Pumps and Long Lasting Water Tanks. When our family moved from a rental house to a home we had built in the same community, Ruangsangthai staff moved our older Mitsubishi water pump and older "Fiberglass" water tank to our new home and did a proper installation. In our small Isaan community steady water supply from the Municipal Water Department is NOT always possible.

[55Jay]

Agree all, first time pressure is low or non-existant, you'll be glad you did it.

After 15 years out of the states, except for 2 in Guam, I have grown very comfortable with tanks, pumps, and cooking gas cylinders.

Those 2 years in Guam, 2 major typhoons and a major earthquake, is what sold me on having my own gear + a <deleted>' generator.

[Ratsima]

Agree all, first time pressure is low or non-existant, you'll be glad you did it.

Indeed. I spent 26 years on Saipan dealing with tanks, pumps, cooking gas cylanders and generators. I had hoped that by moving here I was leaving at least the tanks, pump and generator behind. No such luck.

When we bought this house the developer had one of those huge water tank towers and beefy pumps; promising water 24/7. As soon as the development sold out and he started a new one; there went the tank and pumps leaving leaving promises unkept and lots of angry homeowners.

However, greng jai rules, so our only option was to install a tank and pump. I did it myself. 700 liter tank. 150 watt Hitachi pump. (I bought a small, 700 liter tank because it "just fits" in a little nook in the carport. If we ever get really dry I can add another.)

Clumsy plumber me had lots of leaks at first, but those are all sorted and it now works fine. Plenty of pressure for the garden sprinklers, shower and, most importantly, the washing machine.

Total cost was around 12,000 baht. Well worth it.

[55Jay]

Agree all, first time pressure is low or non-existant, you'll be glad you did it.

Indeed. I spent 26 years on Saipan dealing with tanks, pumps, cooking gas cylanders and generators. I had hoped that by moving here I was leaving at least the tanks, pump and generator behind. No such luck.

When we bought this house the developer had one of those huge water tank towers and beefy pumps; promising water 24/7. As soon as the development sold out and he started a new one; there went the tank and pumps leaving leaving promises unkept and lots of angry homeowners.

However, greng jai rules, so our only option was to install a tank and pump. I did it myself. 700 liter tank. 150 watt Hitachi pump. (I bought a small, 700 liter tank because it "just fits" in a little nook in the carport. If we ever get really dry I can add another.)

Clumsy plumber me had lots of leaks at first, but those are all sorted and it now works fine. Plenty of pressure for the garden sprinklers, shower and, most importantly, the washing machine.

Total cost was around 12,000 baht. Well worth it.

A bit dated but just noticed your response.

I think I saw your former water tower at HomeLand3? Interesting, the project owner said houses in #3 have a city water feed (into tank) at 16 baht/unit, and a separate feed from the river at the back of HL3, to use in garden etc., at 8 baht/unit.