Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

So yesterday while at Whole Foods, I noticed they had a few big Rain Barrels out near their garden stuff. It pretty much was a big pvc barrel with an opening on top with a screen, and then a spigot down below. I assume this is pretty much only used for gardening, and not really for consumption by people. It was $100. I thought I could make something similar for much cheaper. Anyone have some ideas for their own 'rain barrel' and do you use the water only for gardening or otherwise?

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

It's estimated that 1 inch of rainfall on a 1000 square foot roof will yield approximately 600 gallons. I would say it's worth it. you can use the water to supplement your garden or for personal use if treated properly.

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

I am surprised they would sell something in pvc, which is known for leaching.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Search craigslist. I found some for $15.00/each
(didn't buy any tho)

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Check with your county ag center, these barrels are dirt cheap and easy to make yourself. And a darn good idea too.

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

We bought a couple heavy plastic trash cans. Inexpensive, and we dip the water out with a pail. Way cheaper than $100.! We water the dogs, and the square foot garden with them.

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Mt. Olive pickle company in Mt. Olive NC sells 60 gallon barrels for $15 but there's a waiting list. I got 3 from Clean Water Virginia for $26 each and added spigot & overflow and hooked into downspout. All in about $120 for 3 outfitted barrels excluding the gas to drive from Richmond to Rice VA to pick up.

They're great for watering the garden and fill up in no time. We plan to use for in-home, toilet tank, washing clothes, etc. Might get around to learning to treat for drinking water at some point soon.

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Two miles down the road is an example of a first class storage system , roof rain travels through gutters into down spouts each down spout has a diverter and a strainer the diverters were used for the first 5-10 minutes of a good rain then levered back into on position where water passed through an angled strainer on a 45 deg. pitch that would continuously self clean (to a certain extent)water would then travel down into the cistern where it was stored for use and brought up with a hand pump.

My dad ,a true master craftsman who taught me the trade (sheet metal & hvac) built the system 58 years ago......it hasn't been used in 30 years.



I have a metal roof on my house, before we punched our new well we collected rain water to augment our water supply due to the dismal performance of our old well.....we ran the water into 500gal. tanks on the back of a 2 ton ford flatbed then trash pumped them into a 5000gal tank that gravity fed back to the house......there ain't no better shower than a rain water shower.

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Guess were fortunate.
There is a local guy who has made a good retirement business out of getting and reselling barrels of all kinds. Drive by his place and he's got up to 100 barrels in his side yard. $15 for the blue 55 gallon ones up to $$35. I saw that he's recently started handling the 330 gallon totes that are caged by small steel tubing. They are used to transport liquid and chemicals and even bulk oil to a reseller.
Those 330 gallon jobs would make a good raincatcher. 3 or 4 of them might take a small garderner through a dry season.

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

second the note of being very aware of the material the barrel is made of. recent reports out of canada (even the government, you know it must be really poisonous if even the goverment are saying so) stated that the plastic used in most drinking water bottles does indeed leach some nasty chemical into the water, surprise, surprise.

also worth noting that the electrical properties of rain water are quite special...it's negatively charged, if i remember right, and has been shown to be quite beneficial to plant growth. viktor schauberger is an unknown, largely forgotten water researcher who pointed this out...callum coates a modern protege of this rather smart austrian. lots of stuff on google video...can recommend .

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

i bookmarked this guy's site a while ago. apparently he does it as some kind of hobby. kinda pricey ($150.00) but comes fully loaded. but given what he's shown, i'd gather it would cost a lot less just to make your own!

http://www.ne-design.net/standard-rain-barrel.html
Our #1 Selling Rain Barrel

This barrel continues to be our most popular item because of price and quality.
http://www.ne-design.net/images/rainbarrel-wht.jpg
Specifications:
Made from 20 pounds of thick 100% recycled food grade plastic.
Dimensions: 36″ (high) X 23″ (wide)
Color: Cool White - (Paintable)
Our 58 gallon rain barrels are fully enclosed for children�s safety.
Free Universal Down Spout Adapter for direct connection to any gutter included as part of this offer.
http://www.ne-design.net/images/dsadapter.jpg
Quality Mosquito Stopper aids in heat related expansion giving your barrel a long life. This screw cap seen on the top (front) of the barrel can be removed for rinsing the barrel out.
Solid Brass Spigot also threaded for garden hose.
http://www.ne-design.net/images/rainbarrel-spigot.jpg
Free painting instructions
Your choice of threaded Brass Overflow Valve that connects to any standard garden hose to divert excess water away from your home during a rain shower or a larger 1 1/2 PVC Storm Flush Valve - Read: Options.
Price : $150 (Free Shipping)

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Great info in here...glad I asked!! Also thanks for the heads up on the local barrels, gasilat. Are you local?

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Got a rain barrel but I wish it would quit raining here ...

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Biggest worry with a rain barrel is that it breeds mosquitoes. We used to have one at the cottage for collecting water for flushing ... and there was always larvae swimming about in it.

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Our rain barrels are from the big city bottler of soda.
5 bucks each for the blue food safe 55s. They are very durable.
I cut off the flat top part that has the bung holes and the make an exterior plywood lid for them, this helps keep out mosquitos. You can also use a small piece of "Dunks" to prevent larvae from breeding.
Our downspouts are shortened and have an elbow and extended piece of spout that are added to reach and fill the barrels and at the end of the spout we have 2 pieces of nylon screen to filter any gutter crap.
The barrels are raised to fit a hose onto a hardware store spigot near the bottom. Gavity fed or drain into a watering can.
Good luck

Re: Rain Barrel...worth it?
 

Wow man........ I am jealous!!

Your old man was a genius and a half.


T