The necessity and trials of water tanks

Two weeks ago, Barry and Rolf had a fairly large task of emptying leaking tanks, finding and fixing leaks (when possible), and installing new tanks.  The urgency in this, is that the rains will soon end and the tanks need to be filled in order for us to have enough water to take us through the dry season.  (This blog entry has been edited by Rolf for accuracy:)

Barry and Rolf checking out the tanks.  This is a new one ready to be installed.

 Several of the tanks hold 5000 litres and others are 10,000 litres.  There are 5 tanks at the top of our sloping land and this water is gravity fed to our house and the Williamson house.  There are 6 more tanks on the upper side of our house.  This water is gravity fed to the Schwenks house.

 Ariana asks to pose at the mouth of the tank.

 The tanks are interconnected to the main pipe leading to the house.   The tanks are filled with rain water flowing off the eaves of the roof of our house.  They can be opened or closed as we desire to utilize the water.  The benefit of this is if one leaks, we don't lose all our water.

 The tank Rolf is attempting to climb into was leaking and they needed to unscrew the bolt from inside in order to empty the rest of the water and find the leak.

 This was the first attempt at Rolf getting inside from the top.  The top end started buckling and Rolf couldn't manage to fit inside in such a way that he could drop to the bottom.  It was an excellent exercise in team work and I must say Barry and Rolf work well together.

 In the end, Rolf managed to get inside without injury.  After emptying the majority of the water, Rolf washed off the base of the tank and found the crack.  It is small enough that they were able to patch it.  The water stored in these tanks goes in clean but obviously the dirt settles at the bottom.  This water is used for bathing, washing clothes, dishes and cooking.  We 'hand carry' drinking water from the well.

 It was much easier coming out though I am not sure what the benefit of coming out feet first was?  (NOTE from Rolf: the black tanks were manufactured with "child holes" on top instead of "man-holes" like that of the white tanks)

Joel takes his turn posing inside.