possible water problem

Ok heres the situation we provide water to about 8 houses besides our own.I was asking my husband what we could do if the shtf and we had no power we could carry water up from the reservoir but it would be really rough because its all up hill .We have 2 options hand pump or generator.I would like to go with a generator but im wondering how long we would have to run it long enough to provide water to all 9 houses.We wont recieve any help from any of the other familys and no they dont pay us anything.They drive me crazy if the power goes out or if theres a problem with the water.How can we be sure they will keep their distance if the shtf?hubby sugested a hand pump and that I pump the water for everyone grrrr.like I would have time or would want to.Ive got a family of 5 to take care of cook,clean,laundry etc..

Its my husbands extendend family cousins great uncles etc.How long would you have to run a generator?

 I don't know how long to run a generator to run the water , but what happens when you can;t get gas to run the generator? the gas pumps run on electricty. and the gas stations have to be open. .  i would try looking the threads on water, generators,electricty. or some one will see this thread and give you an answer. what do they do if you are away? some body has to come out to do a little research on why no water.  i have a generator , and will run it twice a day to keep  the refrigerator cold. till the gas runs out , good luck, roxy

The reservoir is about a quarter mile down hill theres a road but its to rough for even a 4 wheel drive so its either a generator or pack saddles for my horses.lol There are some renters in the houses but most are my husbands 3 great uncles and his great aunt and his 3 or 4th cousins.None of them want town water because they would have to pay for it.

kr105, you took the words right out of my mouth.

I would simply tell them if the power goes out they will have to connect to the city line as it impractical to pay for a generator and not doable at all.

The cost of the gas if you could get it would make the cost of simpliy paying for the water cheap.

I am shy and sometimes have a hard time saying things but Ive learn to say it fast and nicely I can get away with it. Id start off with how sorry you are to say this but you looked into it and if the power goes off there is no way of pumping the water.

In the end make no attempts to find a answer to the solution other than to tell them they need to connect to the town water.

Then say it with and charm and sweetness , it kills the chance of making you feel guilty. If I had a southern accent it would work perfectly
    
    

You could connect your house to city water, and hand over responsibility for the other houses to their occupants. That would move them off square one. You are basically facilitating a co-dependent relationship. As long as you allow yourself to be used as the "water slave," they will continue to do so. It's just too easy for them.

Otherwise, I hate to say this, but you have some serious boundary issues. No outsider should be allowed in your house at will, without your permission. What are you, a convenience store? They should be looking after their own needs. Helping the old folks is one thing, but able-bodied adults? Never.

Time to abdicate your position!

How deep is the well?  Believe I saw some solar devices for getting well water up on one of the solar threads.   I think they are more common for  wells that aren't too deep.   I believe you can get one for deep wells too but cost goes up.   Raise the rent to get solar back-up?

oldasrocks I explained to my hubby if the shtf and we had no power I would be quiet busy with cooking and hand washing clothes  not to mention taking care of 3 kids and 5 horses that I would not have time to do the hand pump so he understands and says we should get a genarator.

I would suggest you have a drill just do not tell your extended relatives it is a drill.   Shut the electricity off to the pump and run it off a generator for like 3 days.  Tell them whatever, there is an electrical problem, tell them the electrician told you it could be a fire hazard and to not try to run it until he checks wiring or something, leave the power off to it for 3 days and force them to see what it is like to run it off a generator for the drill period.  Oh, and make sure you "run" out of gas and go down to see if you can borrow any from the other 8 houses to run the generator.

Chloe,

Search for a horse powered wash machine and water pump. Just as well let them hayburners earn their keep.. Get a walker and  belt it to an alternator. Wire that into the house. Have the kids walk the horses around  to power it. jeez do I have to learn ya everything????