[traps7]

Is there not a rhine or ditch you can hose your waste into or near to the road gutter?

[JW1]

No, the road level at the front is raised from my house/garden. No ditches nearby either.

As an approximate guide, if my TDS level was average for a hard water area, how much waste should I expect to produce to fill a 500l tank?

I know there are lots of variables like water pressure etc but am I to expect to make waste at a ratio of 1:1? (Ie waste 500l to make 500l) or 10:1 or somewhere inbetween?

I'm not sure how happy I'll be having the tap turned on full for 5 hours wasting hundreds of litres of water every day into the septic tank and soak away.

[Spruce]

Hi
The water is very hard in Reading isn't it, so you may also have to consider a water softner before the RO unit.
Spruce

[JW1]

I don't really have the signs of VERY hard water (in kettle, dishwasher etc) so I would hope it's higher than average at worse.

I'm roughly between Northampton and Oxford.

At the moment, I must admit, after nearly placing my order at the weekend, I am now having second thoughts as it all sounds like too much hassle for me.

Maybe the technology isn't quite there yet.

[AuRavelling79]

Jon, Jon, Jon ... slow down. Let's start again.

What vehicle do you have now? Why do you "only" work 4/5 hrs a day and how many days a week? Do you see that changing?

[JW1]

Ok.... I've taken a deep breath.... calm again

I now have a 56 plate Expert with 815Kg payload (virtually all of which is unused!)

I work 4-5 hours a day because after years in a high-pressured work environment I decided that I would have a slower pace of life and no longer just chase the dollar.

I usaully try to work Mon-Fri but often lose a day due to weather.

I am really happy with my round of about 150 customers, I do a thorough job and in any work I have done I have tried to never leave room for improvement.  This may mean that I am slower than I could be, but I always know I am leaving behind good work and satisfied customers.

I am not looking to work more hours, but would take on more work to fill the time saved if I go WFP (assuming it will be quicker)

I like working alone.

I am not very practical (so I won't be modding filters , poles or pumps etc)

I like a simple, stress-free existance.

My main desire is to get off the ladders, as although I am careful and not clumsy, I do not want to tempt fate any longer.

I can comfortably afford a system, but I don't want to spend more than £2500, and most of all I want it to offer me a reliable, functional and simple solution to getting my feet back on the ground.

[traps7]

I don't blame you wanting to get off ladders but you're saying you want a stress-free existance.
I have found converting to wfp very stressfull. So be prepared. There's so many more things that can now go wrong. Not like before.

Having said that I believe wfp is definatley the way to go. You need to keep doing your research like you are and keep asking questions.

Is there nobody local you can talk to about their setup?

[AuRavelling79]

OK; I would get a 400L tank and an RO that will produce 400L of pure overnight. Then if you decide that you want tomorrow off by working through for more hours today you can. Or if you want a couple of steady days you'll go home with about 100/150L on day one and top up on day two. Flexibility see? And in an Expert you'll have loads of room.

In 4/5 hrs as a conscientious wfp worker on domestics I reckon you will use 250L tops. I get through 400L on domestics if I work brisky for 7 hours or steadily for 8.

Sometimes folk want to start their custies off by wfp tops and trad bottoms, in which case you'll not use more than 200L in a day - but you'll be slower than all wfp.

Just because you have a 400L tank doesn't mean you have to have a faster producing RO. My RO-man type started as a 200gpd and I 've added a membrane to make it a 300gpd. I carry no resin on board and my water goes into the tank at zero TDS.

Oh yeah, on the soakaway taking the waste - lets say you use 250L pure on average per day - that means you will have waste of about 500L per day. If that goes to soakaway I cannot see a problem as it will dribble over a 12 hour period and so only about 40 litres (9 gallons) an hour. Or just run your waste hose a bit further away.

[leapstallbuildings]

That's good advice about the 4ft pole, cheers. Please can you tell me what the advantages of setting up the system in the garage are as I have not explored it as an option. All together I really don't want to spend more than 2k, think 400l per day should be enough and want a really easy to use system.

I don't agree about the 4 ft pole.
Although my SLX collapsed will do nearly all ground floor work, I do have some jobs where the space is very tight and a 4ft (2 x 2ft) pole is ideal.  Even if you don't get one just yet, you will probably want to add it later.

[daz1977]

r u on a water meter

i have a small system that i set up as i as wasnt sure weather i wanted to go wfp and mine cost about 500, i use a di, 125 litre tank, poles, pumps, batterys, hose, reel brush and pipes and connections i needed.  when i was using the 125 litre i was getting about 6 houses a day out of it, 

get a tds and check ur water,

 dont think that you ahve to spend 0000s on a system

[JW1]

I am not on a meter, but may have a drainage problem.

I think I would need to buy a system and have it installed, as I have virtually zero practical skills.

Although a £500 tryout appeals, I am more a poo or bust type, so would be all or nothing, but thanks for the advice anyway.

[dd]

OK; I would get a 400L tank and an RO that will produce 400L of pure overnight. Then if you decide that you want tomorrow off by working through for more hours today you can. Or if you want a couple of steady days you'll go home with about 100/150L on day one and top up on day two. Flexibility see? And in an Expert you'll have loads of room.

In 4/5 hrs as a conscientious wfp worker on domestics I reckon you will use 250L tops. I get through 400L on domestics if I work brisky for 7 hours or steadily for 8.

Sometimes folk want to start their custies off by wfp tops and trad bottoms, in which case you'll not use more than 200L in a day - but you'll be slower than all wfp.

Just because you have a 400L tank doesn't mean you have to have a faster producing RO. My RO-man type started as a 200gpd and I 've added a membrane to make it a 300gpd. I carry no resin on board and my water goes into the tank at zero TDS.

Oh yeah, on the soakaway taking the waste - lets say you use 250L pure on average per day - that means you will have waste of about 500L per day. If that goes to soakaway I cannot see a problem as it will dribble over a 12 hour period and so only about 40 litres (9 gallons) an hour. Or just run your waste hose a bit further away.

Better 500 litres, best to err on side of caution and should be OK with your payload.  Best to come home with 100l water than to run out.

[JW1]

Think I'm gonna wait a while, have a re-think in the spring.

I'm not convinced It's for me at the moment.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to offer advice.

[tacky]

jon wy not just get a backpack for now . to get the feel of things .wcw backpack £100 .trolley £20 = £120 .plus water system .i use just backpack . n its the dogs taters.

[mark dew]

John if you have the money to spend, then getting that pure freedom setup will sort you out for years. Right from the start.
Having a wfp aetup will open up a whole new world of possibilities for you. If you can afford it, buy it and be done. That is the most stress free option.
Good luck with whatevr you do.