Repurpose that ancient relic into a useful addition to your home
A cistern is a water collection tank that holds rainwater for household use.
Old cisterns can be filled in with concrete.
Old cisterns can also be restored for water collection use with the right tools.
Get creative with old cisterns and transform them into a root cellar or planter.
If you’ve discovered buried treasure in the form of an old cistern in your yard, or you recently purchased a property that has a non-working one, you have options when it comes to dealing with it. Whether you’re repurposing or restoring your old cistern, you can make something unique and new out of that old find.
A cistern is a reservoir water storage system that catches rainwater for household or outdoor use. It’s a large tank that’s often constructed of fiberglass, steel, plastic, or concrete, and can range in capacity from hundreds to thousands of gallons.
Cisterns work by collecting rainwater from your rooftop using a pipe that connects to your gutters. The pipe is covered with a mesh screen to stop leaves or other debris from entering the tank. Water is stored in the tank until it’s needed, and it’s then pumped by hand, by an electric pump, or drained through a spout. The cost to build and install a new cistern ranges from $150 to $21,000 depending on the size, type, and location.
If you’ve discovered an old cistern on your property and aren’t looking to repurpose it, you can simply fill it in. You can choose to fill it with concrete, gravel, or other materials that best suit the space.
To do this:
Begin by completely emptying the cistern of water
Seal any cracks to ensure it is watertight
Once it’s drained and sealed, fill it with your chosen material
Depending on the shape and size of the cistern, you can also choose to cover it with flooring materials to help it blend in.
If filled cisterns aren’t properly sealed, they can lead to moisture leakage, mildew, and structural issues. If you suspect you have discovered an improperly filled cistern, remove the current filling and follow the above steps to properly block it.
If your old cistern is still in good condition, you can restore it to its original function. A working cistern can save you money on your water bills since it collects rainwater for household use or gardening. If you plan to use the water for drinking purposes, it’s important to have a filtration system installed and regularly test the water for contaminants.
Before restoring your system, make sure that:
It’s not full of debris or sediment
It’s sealed and watertight
The downspouts are still connected to the downspout drains
If you encounter any issues, it may be wise to fill in the cistern and replace it with a new one instead of restoring the old one.
To get your cistern back in working condition:
Remove any sediment from the cistern and wash it with a 5% bleach solution
Use a cement sealant to seal any cracks and make the cistern watertight
If the cistern is underground, attach a pump
If the cistern is elevated, attach a valve
Attach pipes from your gutter downspouts or water source to allow the cistern to fill with water
Attach wire mesh to the downspout opening to prevent debris from entering the tank
Aim excess runoff away from the tank by installing an overflow pipe
If you’re going to use the cistern for household needs, attach your house piping to the cistern
If you feel uneasy about completing any of the above steps yourself, consider contacting a local well pump technician near you. They can help you restore your cistern and connect it for household use. The technician will also be able to install the proper filtration systems to ensure your water is safe for drinking use.
If you’re not interested in repurposing your cistern or filling it in, get creative! You can transform your old cistern into an underground root cellar or create a handy new planter for your backyard.
If you’re looking to add storage space for your produce, you can turn your old cistern into an underground root cellar.
Begin by removing any debris and thoroughly cleaning the cistern.
Next, seal the cistern with a good-grade sealant to keep the produce free from contamination.
You can also choose to install shelves or a ladder that will keep your new storage space organized and easily accessible.
Your cistern can also be transformed into a handy new planter for your backyard.
Begin by cleaning out any debris and cleaning the walls of the cistern.
Once it’s clear, consider adding some paint to make it stand out.
Next, fill the bottom with gravel to allow for proper drainage.
Follow this by adding soil and the plants or flowers of your choice.
