The Water Pedestal

(click image for pictures)

    The problem was watering the horses.  To the left of the picture above there is a 100 gallon watering trough.  The three horses would empty the trough in three to four days depending upon the temperature.  The problem was to extend the time between supplying water and still have fresh water.  In August of 2008 the problem was solved. 

    An area was cleared below ground level.  This provided a stable foundation.  A cement slab was poured and three courses of block was laid.  The block was filled with dry Portland Cement.  The center of the pedestal remained empty.  A row of 4" x 4"  post set six inches apart were covered by exterior grad plywood and framed with 1" x  6" boards created a cap.  A 210 gallon water tank was placed on the cap.  The two inch bulk head connector was reduced to 3/4 inch.  A standard outside shutoff valve was used to turn the water on and off.  A standard 15 foot garden hose was connected to the tank.  The hose was placed underground to allow the grass to be mowed.  The other end of the hose was connected to the automatic shutoff valve on the watering trough. 

    This configuration provides 310 gallons of water for the horses.  This is over a weeks supply of water.  Since the water tank is higher than the watering trough, gravity pulls the water fills the watering trough and there is no need for motors or pumps.  There is an automatic shutoff valve on the watering trough to keep it from over filling.

    When the watering trough needs cleaning, the water is shut off at the tank.  The hose is disconnected at the watering trough and the valve at the bottom of the watering trough is opened.  The water is drained from the watering trough and it can then be cleaned.  Refilling of the watering trough is a matter of closing the drain valve, reconnecting the hose and opening the valve on the water tank.