Water Storage Solutions: Municipal Backup

Provides an uninterrupted, pressured and potable water feed.

Municipal backup

JoJo Tanks Municipal Backup Solution consists of a tank that is tied to the main water supply line and fills automatically when mains water is available. This water can then be used in the event of a water cut, providing you with an uninterrupted, pressured water feed that is clean and safe for household use and consumption.

Municipal Backup Benefits

Uninterrupted water supply
Tank filled with municipal water
Pump water from tank back into home
Pressure sensor starts and stops pump operation
**Water is normally fit for consumption, but this may vary based on the quality
of your water. If unsure, rather opt for a water filter.

System Components

1. Water tank

2. Base / foundation

3. Pump and pump cover

When choosing a water pump, it is important to consider the water source, the application and the pressure required to ensure that the pump will meet your requirements. To ensure all connections are visible, a pump cover was not included in this illustration, but we do recommend using a pump cover to protect your pump from the elements.

For more information, refer to our pump range section here.

4. Pump to tank connector kit

An all-inclusive kit that permits seamless connection from the tank to both our 0.37kW and 0.75kW Booster Pumps.

Important: if our pump to tank connector is not used for connection from your tank to your pump, you will require 25mm diameter (minimum) pipe for this connection, as well as a gate/ball valve between your tank and your pump to isolate the water supply as and when needed.

5. Pipes

Assumed ¾-inch galvanised pipes
5a. 20 mm diameter (minimum) – from pump to house, to tie into mains.
5b. Supply tank with municipal feed to float valve at the top of tank.

6. Elbows

Sizes according to pipes and quantity according to installation/setup.

7. Float Valve Kit

Allows for effortless filling of a JoJo tank with an automatic shut-off. This can be manually done with a hose, or for a more permanent solution (like the one in our illustration), you can connect it to your plumbing line.

8. Ball valve/s

To isolate components and better manage the system. Note: it is advised to use these between your municipal feed and your tank, your tank and your pump, as well as your pump and the feed into your house.

9. Non-return valves

To ensure no back pressure to the main supply.

*Filtration

Option 1 – Undersink or Countertop Filter (placed inside at one tap for drinking purposes).

Option 2 – Whole-house Filter (placed outside to filter all the water used in your house).

Treated municipal water is adequate for household use, but can require additional filtration depending on the quality. If you are unsure of the quality of water, we advise using a filter to remove any potentially harmful contaminants before using the water for drinking or cooking. For more information, refer to our filtration section here.

Note

This is an example of a basic Municipal Backup System. Each installation will vary based on the setup and your personal preferences. It is advised to make use of a plumber/professional installer as the system is required to tie into the building’s main water supply line. To find an installer in your area click here.

Maintenance

Here are two tips to prolong your system’s life, reduce the potential for damages and ensure you enjoy maximum benefits:

1. Keep your tank clean

Inspect the inside of the tank every 3 months to make sure that everything is in order. If it is not clean, identify the cause of the problem – your lid might be loose or an overflow pipe might not be covered correctly.

2. Rotate the water

Under ideal circumstances, municipal water can be stored inside a JoJo tank for extended periods of time due to the fact that it is chlorinated. To keep your water fresh, however, it is recommended to rotate the water every two weeks.

Tip: Draw up a roster for your tank and rotate/circulate the water at set intervals by using it to wash your car, fill up the pool, water the garden etc. This will get the water level down inside your tank, after which you can fill it up with fresh municipal water.

Installation guide

1. PRE INSTALLATION

1. Choose a tank

How to estimate what size tank would be sufficient for municipal backup:

Size of tank = litres p/day X total days backup required i.e. 4 x people (600L) X 3 days = 1800L

PEOPLE	LITRES P/DAY
1	150
2	300
3	450
4	600
5	750

2. Tank Placement

Should be placed where municipal supply can be intercepted, before entering the house.

3. Base/foundation options

Tanks must be installed on a sound, level and smooth surface. Level paving will suffice, or a properly designed tank stand. Alternatively a concrete slab needs to be built, ideally with a concrete surface bed at least 85mm thick.

Recommended base sizes are:

It is recommended that the foundation should be at least 100mm wider than the diameter of the tank.

TANK	DIAMETER	BASE
750lt	760mm	860mm
1500lt	1410mm	1510mm
2400lt	1420mm	1520mm
2700lt	1420mm	1520mm
5250lt	1820mm	1920mm
10 000lt	2200mm	2300mm

2. INSTALLATION

M_Overview

Ensure tank is installed on a suitable base. The base must be sound, level, smooth, free of
any protrusions and at least 100mm wider than the base of the tank (refer to pre-installation).

2.-M_Plumbling_Pump-to-Tank

Use our all-inclusive pump to tank connector kit to connect your tank to your pump.
Connect the pump to the electrical main supply (refer to pump manual for detailed guidelines).

a. Use minimum 20mm pipe from pump to cut into mains (where possible)
b. Install non-return valves between pump and mains, as well as the house and mains to
ensure no back pressure to mains and pump.

Supply the tank with municipal feed to float valve kit at the top of the tank. Ensure a ball valve is installed between the municipal feed and the float valve to shut-off feed as and when required.

5.-M_Fill-the-tank_2

Ensure that the ball valve is open and fill the tank from municipal supply. When full, the float valve will
close the water supply and when it drops it will open and allow the tank to be filled.

6.-M_Recommendations

It is recommended that the water is run once every two weeks to rotate
the water and ensure system functions properly.