The first thing you notice about hawaii is the thing called a catchment tank that sits on your property in east hawaii. Our tank is 15,000 gallons, covered, and hooked up to 3 filters and an ultra violet light. A small pump pushes the water into the house for use and one experiences deep feelings of “off the grid” independence. Once a month you put some chlorine or bleach into the tank and a couple of times a year you change out filters. You are your own water company, paying yourself a pat on th e back for saving money each month.
This explains why so many homes have metal roofs in hawaii. There are no utile pebbles or pieces of asphalt roof washing into your storage tank that holds your domestic water.
Banks have decided that a tank has to be at least 10,000 gallons big for them to loan on a property. We live in a rural area so fire hydrants are not plentiful. Fire trucks bring their own tanker, but like to have the option of using your water in case they run out.
And no, you don’t really swim in your catchment tank!