Where did my water go?

[carosanto]

Down here in the Wild West it's been very hot for days.  I have a 1000 gallon enclosed water tank which collects water all winter and should be enough to get me through the driest spell.  It is completely empty!

I checked about 3 weeks ago and it was at least 2/3 full if not more.  We've had a couple of hot spells and some very heavy rain since.  But when I turned on the tap last night it trickled out then stopped.

OH checked the tap for obstructions - all OK. Could it all have evaporated away in this wonderful weather...or perhaps, and here I think the unthinkable, have I been sharing my water?  The tank is attached to my shed, so not in any way a communal area.  I am putting this down to paranoia on my part.  We WILL have water being in Cornwall, so I am not going to sorry overmuch.  Nevertheless.........

Caro

[Alimo]

Hi Caro,

Sorry to hear of your disappearing water.. I don't think we'll get any rain for the next week - 10 days either... I'm in West Penwith - where are you?


Alison

[carosanto]

Hi Alison

I'm here in the Tamar Valley,so almost Devon (wash out my mouth!).  The weather today has been tdf, as near perfect as it could be.  So I am not going to stress too much over a drop of missing water.  Made other arrangements and will survive.

Regards

Caro

[antipodes]

Can you see into it in any way? Or poke something down to test the water level (a broom stick etc, just hold tight!)? That doesn't sound quite right. If it were leaking though, a hugely lush patch would probably give the game away...

[goodlife]

How's your neighbour's cabbages..growing strong..?..nice and lush?..

[carosanto]

Hi

Antipodes, we even took off the tap and put our hands inside.  It is completely empty.  Goodlife, I just can't help wondering..... The thing is if anyone really needed some water they would be welcome.  It would just be nice to know I was contributing to the productivity of their plot.

Still, I am putting it down to evaporation.....saves on the blood pressure!!!!

Regards, Caro

[antipodes]

If the tank is open I guess that is possible, but even my small open barrels do not evaporate at that rate. If the tank is closed, or semi closed, I would say that was impossible. Someone is nicking your water...

[tomatoada]

I might consider putting some coloring in.  Say cocheneal or anything you use in cooking.  Beetroot water maybe.   This might put them off using it or stain their watering can.

[greenfists]

As I've said before on these forums, I'm a Police Officer.
In my experience people will do stuff they shouldn't do because they are too lazy to sort things themselves (CBA as my kids would call it.)
So maybe a little prevention may be in order.

I looked up lockable taps and saw this.

http://www.sourcingmap.com/green-family-metal-water-faucet-tap-wlock-p-52082.html?currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=ukfroogle

or this for drums
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=139148&Referrer=froogle

Or this for plastic barrels
http://www.northerntooluk.com/material-handling/material-handling-accessories/lockable-drum-tap-3_4in-bsp_1805077E.html?afc=ShoppingSite&des=GoogleShop

Just a few ideas.

It may mean that you would know for sure that it isn't you going mad.
Maybe if you contacted your local CSO they would come up and do a bit of a show of checking the water storage, I cant imagine they would take a report for theft of water though as its been gathered from the sky so to speak.
A bit of visible crime prevention advice may go a long way.

[Digeroo]

I think I would put weedkiller into it and see what happens.  Or perhaps just a notice saying it has weedkiller in it.

[cornykev]

Someone's deffo choring it, I'd go along with a sign that warns them off.   

[lottie lou]

How mean - whenever I use my neighbour's barrel, I invariably fill it up for him and he does the same for me.

[carosanto]

Hi All

Thanks for your support in this, I expect it is happening in lots of places now.  OH has been very good lugging up water, and, so far, only my peas and garlic are suffering too much.  Greenfists, thanks a lot for your great links on lock-able taps, we have on on order already.

The suggestion on the colouring is great, wish I had thought of it a long time ago, as I had tiny suspicions 2 months back.

Anyway, A4A always comes up with some practical, new or novel and I just love it.

Thanks all

Regards
Caro