Cottage Water Systems: An Out-of-the-City Guide to Pumps, Plumbing, Water Purification, and Privies (Paperback)

by Max Burns (Author) "THE PRACTICE OF TROOPING OFF TO THE cottage doesn't go back generations in my family, as it does in some cottage dynasties I know..." (more)
Key Phrases: cottage water system, sewage police, pump closer, North America, Max's Amazing Easy Prime, Mother Nature (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
The do-it-yourselfer's dream for household water systems. Cottage Water Systems is a well-written, well-illustrated guide to providing your "cottage" (or rural home) with water-in and water-out. It clearly explains water supplies, water quality, water in winter (very important), and wastewater. Includes troubleshooting guides for common problems. (Larry Dieterich, Whole Earth Review #85, Spring 1995, Special Water Edition) -- 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) -- From the Publisher

Written as a comprehensive guide for designing and building water systems for off-the-beaten-path dwellings, Cottage Water Systems is a how-to manual for harnessing a variety of water sources and their necessary peripherals (i.e., pumps, toilets, filtration systems). Chapters cover finding water, putting together a pump system, plumbing, water testing and purification, outhouses, winterizing and the plethora of details any water do-it-your-selfer needs to concern themselves with. This book is worth reading just as an education on home water technology. And it goes beyond putting in a water system for your weekend cabin; the chapters on alternative toilets and on water purification systems are useful to any home dweller. As the proud owner of a septic tank, I found the chapter on septic systems highly informative, particularly in terms of its care and feeding (had I read it sooner I could have probably avoided the $150 I just shelled out to have mine siphoned). -- From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Ilene Rosoff

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)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Cottage Life Books; Revised edition (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096969220X
• ISBN-13: 978-0969692201
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #525,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #10 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Environmental > Sanitary & Municipal
  #56 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Construction > Plumbing
  #68 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Plumbing & Household Automation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars As valuable as a "Time Life" book on how to drive a nail., January 21, 2001

By	Clinton J. Fisher "dreamer122" (United States) - See all my reviews

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.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cottage Water Systems - A Bible for Cabin and Cottage Owners, March 30, 1999

By A Customer

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful source of information for anyone with a well, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

I am a Health Inspector in New Brunswick and many houses in rural areas require well and septic disposal fields. I found this book well written and informative. A must-read for new home owners who are dealing with wells and on-site sewage disposal fields for the first time.