Product Description

If you have a pump, a well, a septic system, or an outhouse ...
If you winterize your water system or use it year round ...
Or if you simply care about the quality of the water your drink,
Cottage Water Systems will save you time, money, and headaches

Cottage Water Systems is written specifically with cottages -- and cottage problems -- in mind. It explains in a clear, easy-to-understand style how each component of the water system works, with dozens of tips on installation and repair, as well as troubleshooting guides to help you diagnose what's wrong with your system. Each chapter is accompanied by explanatory diagrams and illustrations.

Cottage Water Systems includes:

• how to choose the pump that's right for your property
• a guide to water quality and types of water purifiers
• foolproof methods for priming your pump
• the ins and outs of composting toilets and other alternatives
• how to extend the life of your septic system
• step-by-step instructions for closing a seasonal water system in the fall and opening it in the spring
• how to build a first-class outhouse
• ways to get water in winter
• how to keep the cottage's environmental impact low
• North American sources for water-system components
• plus wells, gray water systems, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #121303 in Books
• Published on: 1999-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 152 pages

From the Publisher
The subtitle for this attractive paperback is "An Out-of- the-City Guide to Pumps, Plumbing, Water Purification, and Privies," and it deftly fulfils its promise. Mr. Burns uses humor interspersed with excellent illustrations to convey technical information in layman's terms. He provides a comprehensive overview of all possibilities... the pros and cons of each alternative are thoroughly examined. (Gordon Bock and Lynn elliot, May/June, 1996, Old-House Journal)

Review
This is a user-friendly manual, easy to read, carefully broken into thirteen chapters...what research! (Carlos Amantea RALPH: The Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy, 20060622)

A great book... Clear and illustrative... The reader will appreciate the way Burns is so thorough in his explanations. (Linda Turk Chronicle-Journal (Thunder Bay) 20080817)

About the Author

Max Burns is a regular contributor to Cottage Life magazine, and how won several National Magazine Awards for his work. He specializes in how-to journalism, and the subjects he writes about are as varied as his interests -- everything from docks to butter tarts. He is currently building a passive solar home within shouting distance of his cottage in northern-Ontario. Cottage Water Systems is his second book.

Customer Reviews

As valuable as a "Time Life" book on how to drive a nail.
This book is a glossy generalists dream. If you don't know what a well is, buy this book. If you don't know what a septic tank is, buy this book. If you can't tell the difference between a submrsible pump or a jet pump, buy this book.

If you want to design or install your own hideaway water system, forget it. The author makes to frequent use of "consult your owners manual", "local authorities" or "hire someone" to have any real value.

This book would benefit the rural homeowner who has never owned a well, septic, etc. and needs to talk with a repair service. It would be unadvisable to attempt installation or repair of any system with knowledge gained from just this book.

Cottage Water Systems - A Bible for Cabin and Cottage Owners
If you are going to buy one, and only one book about maintaining a cottage water and sewer system, this is it. The definitive bible on how to keep everything working. Supplemented with excellent illustrations and drawings, Cottage Water Systems is indispensable. About the only criticism we have is that there could be a few more options for pump hook-ups and that some of the addresses are out of date. But all-in-all, this is a truly outstanding book worth the money.

Excellent material on water and septic systems
This book should be a MUST addition to anyone's library who deals with a well and septic system. The reference material is well documented and the color diagrams make the book easy to understand. Although written for a Canadian cottage, the principles are the same for cabins/cottages anywhere...