Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

I checked and didn't see that this has been posted before but I'm sorry if it's a rehash.




I live in an area that gets rain most of year with the exception of July, August and some of September. I've got 55 gallon rain barrels on each downspout (5) and use the water for the garden during the summer. In most years I can use the barrels for 70% of my water usage for gardening but the system is expandable and I'm thinking of doubling up this year.

My thought is that if I do indeed double up on the barrels I'll also have a replenishable water supply that could be used for gardening and drinking water when TSHTF. I'm sure I would have to filter the water in order for it to be consumable but I'm not sure what sort of filter would work. If I had a metal roof I might not feel the need to filter at all, but I've got a older shingled roof and I don't know what sort of bad stuff the shingles are putting off or what I need to remove that from the water. Any thoughts on this system would be appreciated. :15_1_70v:

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

You will not be disappointed with the Berkey black elements. Set up a gravity system inside and bring water in as needed. Good for 6000 gallons per pair. I would drink the rain off my roof with them.

http://jamesfilter.com/blackberkeyelementssetof2.aspx

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Rain barrels are ok for garden, toilet, washing but not cooking or drinking. For that get a Berkey and/or a Water Bob.

It's good to prep.
:ok:

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

they are GREAT for gardening. there is no such thing as too much water unless you spilled it.

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Shingles have chemicals you don't want to drink [think poison].

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Any recommendations for good sources of barrels for this? Roof/downspout rain collection is on my to-do list. I have no problem building my own collection and distribution methods out of used barrels, and I've had my eye out for used food-grade barrels so far without much luck. Any other ideas for good sources? I'd rather not pay retail prices for water barrels.

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

But won't some filters (as mentioned by Cast Iron) take care of the bad stuff?


Edit: I think you could even do this with large plastic garbage cans.

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Check with your local soda bottler. I get surplus Drpepper blue syrup barrels. I have no clue where the guy I gets them from, but I paid 15 bucks for 2 that were in perfect condition and smell like DP.

A little cleaning out the residue syrup and they are good to go.

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Here's a vid. These people use their system to drink rainwater.

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Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

That's Colorado:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainwat...k#Colorado_law

As far as collecting roof rainwater--with tar shingles I would wonder about drinking it, but with anything else it should be okay after filtering (slate, tile, cedar or metal roofs).

-end-

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Re: Rain Barrels for water storage.
 

Thanks Tech. Good suggestion.