We Have Running Water on Our Abandoned Farm in Spain

Reading time: 4 minutes

After planning, designing and building the first stage of the off grid water system for our abandoned farm in Spain, we finally have running water.

It all started two years ago, whe we bought an abandoned land with the vision of turning it into a thriving self-sufficient homestead.

We had no running water, no shelter, no electricity and not even a toilet, just endless possibilities and a lot of work ahead.

Before doing anything, we had to solve the main basic need, which was to build the off grid water system, as we had no running water.

Building The Off Grid Water System

We have made significant progress on the Eridu Life project. First, we opened an access road and ramp to the land, a crucial step that allowed us to bring in materials by car.

Then, we cleared the land using a tractor, removing decades of overgrowth vegetation. We also built a platform using IBC totes, where we planned to use as our first water storage tank.

These initial steps were just the beginning.

Our next step was work on the plumbing, as this would be our first milestone towards the completion of our rainwater harvesting system.

Plumbing: Trial and Error

With the IBC totes platform ready, it was time to start working on the plumbing, a task that proved to be more challenging than we had initially thought.

We began the installation by laying pipes, connecting outlets and installing faucets. As we connected the pipes, we had no idea that there would be a series of problems.

After several hours of work, all the plumbing was ready. Now it was time to test it.

When we opened the main valve, water leaked from every joint, it was dripping from every connection.

It was frustrating, to say the least. Each leak was a painful reminder of how much we still had to learn.

Without internet access, there was no way to research for a solution, so I left the plumbing for another day and went to work on another important project, composting toilet!

Composting Toilet

Without a traditional sewage system or flushing toilet, the simplest solution would be to build a composting toilet.

We had never built anything like this before, this was a completely new experience that required a lot of trial and error.

We started by drawing a prototype. Then we cut the wood and screwed it all together.

After a lot of work, the composting toilet was read to use. The design wasn’t perfect, there were flaws, but we only noticed it when it was in use.

We knew we would need to make improvements in the future, but for now, it would serve its purpose.

We Have Running Water

After a lot of work fixing the leaks, we tested it and everything is working as it should.

When I turned on the tap and saw the water flowing, it was a huge relief, I smiled with happiness. I recorded a video showing the whole process.

Watch the video:

In the video above, you will see the struggle and frustration we went through to get our off-grid water system up and running.

I can say that all the hard work was worth it!

Having running water coming out of the tap was more than just a technical achievement, it was a symbol of progress, a tangible result of our hard work and dedication.

Now that the first phase of our off grid water system is up and running, we will start on the next project.

Our quest to transform this abandoned farm in Spain into a thriving self-sufficient homestead continues.

Conclusion

Our journey is far from over, but the accomplishment of having running water is proof that dedication and perseverance can turn even the most daunting challenges into reality.

That’s it for this article. Did you like it?

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Talk to you soon 🙂

P.S. If you would like to help us build our dream home, you can do it here. Or if you would like to help us continue recording videos, you can do it here. Either way, your support is very much appreciated.