Collecting rainwater creates an eco-friendly water supply for non-drinking water needs such as watering your plants, lawn and landscape or washing your car. By collecting rain from the roof during wet months and storing it, you create a water supply that won’t tax the groundwater and helps lower your water bill. A rainwater collection system does not have to be expensive or complicated and it’s easy to get started.
Here is a plan for creating a simply rainwter collection system:
• If you already have a sloped roof, gutters and downspouts, you’re halfway there.
• Start with a 55 gallon food-grade recycled plastic barrel.
• Cut a six inch hole on top of the barrel and drill two holes in its side: one near the top for overflow and one near the bottom for a spigot.
• Attach a threaded hose adapter to the uppermost hole in the barrel’s side. Slide a hose into the adapter to direct overflow away from your foundation.
• Attach your spigot to the lower hole using Teflon tape or caulking to seal.
• Cover the six inch hole in the top with a six inch louvered screen with the louvered side up.
• Set the entire rain barrel on a base of stones, blocks or landscape timbers next to a downspout.
• Cut the downspout to hang about four inches above the top of the barrel. Add an elbow or downspout extender to divert water into the six inch hole in your barrel.
• Attach a garden hose to the spigot. Gravity will force the water through the hose.
• If you’re really ambitious, you can add another barrel or two to collect the overflow and then repeat the whole installation for every downspout at your house.