If you have a gutters on your house and want an inexpensive way to start using
rainwater for your landscaping needs, rain barrels are a good way to go. We do
not recommend using rain barrels for potable (drinking water) systems.
What you need to get started:
Barrel and fittings
Diverter or another mechanism to get water into the barrel from the gutter
Gravity or a pump for retrieving the water from the barrel
Screening
on both overflow and entry point to keep mosquitoes out. Window screening is small enough. If you are using drip irrigation,
we recommend using a .5 millimeter screen to filter out debris.
Hose for overflow outlet
Mosquito donuts (optional – the screen should be enough to keep mosquitoes out)
What to look for in a barrel:
Barrel should be a dark color to keep light out and prevent
algae growth; we recommend painting the barrel if it is made of polyethylene
If
choosing a recycled barrel, use food-grade barrels or barrels that have not
been used to store chemicals
Screw-on
or locking lid to protect from insects and to prevent children from falling in
Even though they are cheaper, we do not recommend "tight-head" barrels which do not have removable lids because you cannot clean the inside of the barrel
Intake
fitting (for closed/lidded barrel)
Overflow and hose bib
fittings
Hose
bib – should be above the bottom of the barrel to prevent sediment from
clogging the spigot
Drain
plug (optional)
A 55
gallon barrel is approximately 3 feet high by 2 feet in diameter
Approximate Costs (not including pump, tax and shipping):
New completely outfitted rain barrels run from $80 – $400
Recycled food-grade barrels with no fittings start at $20
Recycled food-grade barrels with fittings start at $40
Installation Tips: (not intended
to replace manufacturer instructions)
Position barrel near a down spout
Make sure barrel is level
Barrel should be higher than your intended use area
or you will need a pump to deliver water to the area; barrel can be elevated on concrete blocks
Connect the down spout to the rain barrel using a diverter or redirector
Maintenance:
Clean the barrels out once a year after the growing season
If you live in a cold climate, either do not collect rain during
the winter or follow manufacturer’s recommendations
Other Tips:
You can link barrels
together for more storage; make sure the barrels’ overflow outlets are at the same
height
Direct the overflow
fitting away from the foundation with a 6 foot length of hose
Use bleach at ¼ cup to a
barrel if the barrel starts to give off an odor
Rain Barrel Sources:
Rain Barrel Images:
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Image courtesy of Rain Barrel Source
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Image courtesy of Clean Air Gardening
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Image courtesy of Dave the Barrel Man
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