Sovereignty Module: Command the Water
Command the Water
Complete Water Systems: Collection, Storage, Distribution, and Treatment
Complete Water Systems: Collection, Storage, Distribution, and Treatment
Water is life. This campaign covers every aspect of providing clean water to a community without modern infrastructure.
Chapter 1: Water Sources (Ranked by Safety)
| Source | Safety (untreated) | Reliability | Flow Rate | Treatment Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep well (50+ feet) | High | Very high | Low-moderate | Minimal (test first) |
| Spring (protected) | High | High | Low-moderate | Minimal (if properly developed) |
| Shallow well (10-50 feet) | Moderate | High | Low-moderate | Filtration + disinfection |
| Rainwater (clean roof) | Moderate-high | Seasonal | Variable | Filtration (first flush divert) |
| Flowing stream (fast, clear) | Low-moderate | Seasonal | High | Full treatment required |
| Lake/pond | Low | High | Unlimited | Full treatment required |
| Stagnant water | Very low | Variable | Variable | Full treatment + caution |
Chapter 2: Gravity-Fed Water Systems
| Component | Function | Specification | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intake (spring box or stream diversion) | Captures water at source | Screened, protected from contamination | Concrete, stone, or wood box |
| Supply line | Carries water from source to storage | 1-2 inch pipe, buried 18+ inches | PVC, bamboo, clay, or hollowed log |
| Storage tank | Holds water for demand peaks | 500-5,000 gallons depending on users | Concrete, ferrocement, or lined earthen |
| Distribution line | Carries water from tank to users | 3/4-1 inch pipe | PVC, bamboo, or metal |
| Tap stand | Point of use (faucet) | Ball valve or gate valve | Metal or PVC |
| Overflow/drain | Prevents tank overflow | Pipe at max water level | Same as supply line |
| Air release valve | Prevents air locks in pipe | At high points in line | Commercial or improvised |
| Break pressure tank | Reduces pressure on long drops | Every 100m of vertical drop | Small open tank |
Design rule: Source must be HIGHER than storage, storage must be HIGHER than taps. Gravity does all the work. No pumps, no electricity, no maintenance cost.
Chapter 3: Ram Pump (Pumps Water Uphill Without Electricity)
| Component | Function | Material | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive pipe | Carries water from source to pump | Steel or PVC (rigid) | 1.5-2 inch, 5-10× delivery height in length |
| Waste valve | Creates water hammer effect | Brass or PVC check valve | Opens/closes 40-100 times per minute |
| Delivery valve | Allows pressurized water into air chamber | Check valve (one-way) | Same size as delivery pipe |
| Air chamber | Smooths pulsing flow | Sealed pipe/tank with trapped air | 10-20× delivery pipe volume |
| Delivery pipe | Carries water uphill to storage | 1/2-1 inch pipe | Can push water 10× the drive fall height |
How it works: Flowing water builds speed in drive pipe → waste valve slams shut → water hammer creates pressure spike → pressure forces water through delivery valve into air chamber → air compresses, pushes water up delivery pipe → waste valve reopens → cycle repeats (40-100 times per minute). Pumps 10-20% of source water to 10× the fall height. Free energy from flowing water.
Chapter 4: Water Treatment Methods
| Method | Removes | Effectiveness | Cost | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling (1 minute rolling) | All pathogens | 99.99% | Fuel cost | Very low |
| SODIS (solar disinfection) | Bacteria, viruses | 99.9% | Free (clear bottles + sun) | Very low |
| Slow sand filter | Bacteria, protozoa, turbidity | 99% bacteria, 99.99% protozoa | Low (sand + gravel + container) | Low-moderate |
| Ceramic filter | Bacteria, protozoa, turbidity | 99.99% | Moderate | Low |
| Chlorination (bleach) | Bacteria, viruses | 99.99% | Very low | Very low |
| Biosand filter | Bacteria, protozoa, turbidity | 98% bacteria | Low | Low |
| Activated charcoal | Chemicals, taste, some pathogens | Variable | Moderate | Moderate |
| Distillation | Everything (produces pure water) | 100% | High (fuel) | Moderate |
Chapter 5: Slow Sand Filter Construction
| Layer (bottom to top) | Material | Depth | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Drainage (bottom) | Coarse gravel (1-2 inch) | 6 inches | Supports filter, allows water out |
| 2. Transition | Medium gravel (1/4-1/2 inch) | 4 inches | Prevents sand from entering drainage |
| 3. Fine transition | Coarse sand | 2 inches | Further transition |
| 4. Filter bed | Fine sand (0.15-0.35mm effective size) | 24-36 inches | Primary filtration + biological layer |
| 5. Supernatant water | Raw water above sand | 4-6 inches minimum | Provides head pressure, protects biolayer |
Critical: The biological layer (schmutzdecke) forms on top of the sand after 2-4 weeks of continuous use. This living layer of beneficial organisms is what actually kills pathogens. Do NOT disturb it. Do NOT let filter dry out. Continuous slow flow (0.1-0.3 m/hour) maintains the biology.
Chapter 6: Storage and Distribution
| Storage Type | Capacity | Material | Lifespan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrocement tank | 500-10,000 gallons | Cement + wire mesh + sand | 50+ years | Low-moderate |
| Concrete block tank | 500-5,000 gallons | Concrete blocks + mortar + plaster | 30-50 years | Moderate |
| Earthen tank (lined) | 1,000-100,000 gallons | Excavation + clay/plastic liner | 20-50 years | Low |
| Elevated tank (tower) | 200-2,000 gallons | Steel, concrete, or wood | 20-50 years | Moderate-high |
| Underground cistern | 500-50,000 gallons | Concrete or stone + waterproof plaster | 50-100 years | Moderate |
Daily water needs: 5 gallons/person minimum (drinking + cooking + hygiene). 15-25 gallons/person for comfortable living. 50+ gallons/person if including garden irrigation. Storage should hold 3-7 days supply minimum.
Reference Card
- Gravity-fed: source ABOVE storage ABOVE taps. No pumps needed. Most reliable system possible.
- Ram pump: uses flowing water to pump 10-20% of flow to 10× the fall height. No electricity. Free energy.
- Slow sand filter: 99% bacteria removal. Fine sand + biological layer. Takes 2-4 weeks to mature. Don't let it dry.
- Boiling: 1 minute rolling boil kills everything. Most reliable emergency treatment. Fuel is the only cost.
- Chlorination: 2 drops bleach per quart. Wait 30 minutes. Kills bacteria and viruses. Cheap and effective.
- Storage: 5 gallons/person/day minimum. 3-7 day supply in storage. Covered, sealed, dark (prevents algae).
- Pipe sizing: 1 inch pipe delivers ~5 gallons/minute at 30 feet of head pressure. Bigger pipe = more flow.
- Protect sources: fence springs, seal wells, divert surface runoff AWAY from water sources. Contamination prevention > treatment.
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