Sorry, LGAggie - I missed your question about the cost. For me, I'm trying to do this on the cheap. I picked up the tank at an auction on an old ranch and gave $50 for it. It cost me more than that in gas trailering it down to my place. So I'm into this project about $100.
If I go ahead and pay to have the gutters done that would probably cost me another $200 or so. The only other significant cost that I will probably have is the coating/liner for the tank. Based on my water bills last summer I think this project, at around $400, should pay for itself in a few summers. I like the idea of saving some money but also our city water is pretty hard. I expect that the garden will like the rain water a lot more.

So tell me more about this PVC liner idea. Is this something I would buy as a sheet and then cut and glue in? I also found that Sherwin Williams sells some epoxy coating that is for potable water systems. I haven't checked on the cost but I expect it won't be cheap.

Again, thanks for all the comments and help.

Egret -

I have installed miles upon miles of potable water pipe systems all over the country. The vast majority of the ductile iron pipe used for potable water applications is cement lined with a coating of ashpalt over the cement lining.

Look at the DIPRA information and they will tell you the same thing. Asphalt lining is used all over the place in potable water production and transmission.

If you can get inside the tank, a Tnemec Pota-pox is a great product to look into for interior coating. NSF approves, two part epoxy that you can roll or spray on.

Where can I buy a 3000 gallon tank for $800?

Really cool thread. Pleas post pictures as you complete the project OP!

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Where can I buy a 3000 gallon tank for $800?

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I'd like to know that, too. I live just north of Austin and I've found a 1550 gallon tank at American Fence in Georgetown for $729. That's less then they have for at the local tractor supply company. At the same place, a 2500 gallon tank is $1029.

Also, what's the best way to pipe the water from the gutter to the tank if you cannot place the tank right next to the gutter?

[This message has been edited by dmart90 (edited 2/3/2012 7:25a).]

http://www.watertanks.com/category/367/

Not as cheap ast a 3k tank for $800, but they beat the 1550 gallon price above by a couple of hundred (though that savings might get eaten up with shipping). I bought a tank from them for a project of mine in San Antonio a while back and they were great to deal with.

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I personally believe these systems will be more affordable as municipalities raise their rates for water.

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How do you figure? Yes, as water rates raise it makes economical since to look for other water sources. But these companies know that so will then raise their prices. Supply and Demand....

Sorry to derail the thread but what about rainwater collection for my swimming pool. I live in Houston so we get plenty of rain (normally. Even with that I need to fill the pool often during the summer and recently during the drought. Anyone used a collection system for this purpose? Rain should be ph balanced so should be good for the pool.

I should mention that the water authority where I live just raised our rates 45% so I'm liking this idea more and more. I need to figure out how to tie into my sprinkler system.

[This message has been edited by Beretta O/U (edited 2/3/2012 2:08p).]