Many eco-conscious gardeners supplement their summer watering program with a rainwater tank. A rain tank or rain barrel collects rainwater that falls throughout the year by use of a rain chain or simple gravity. Rain barrels have been used since ancient times to conserve water resources. Does this Spark an idea?
Uses
Rainwater tanks are used to collect rain, primarily to reduce environmental impact and promote self-sufficiency. Getting started with a rain barrel does not require significant cost, and many people find the cost is offset by the amount of water saved.
While you cannot drink water from a rain barrel without taking appropriate filtration measures, there are a number of other uses for collected rainwater. Gardeners can use it to water fruits, vegetables and flowers. The water also can be used for washing the car or in a washing machine. Handy people could even hook up the rainwater to an outdoor shower.
Types
Rainwater tanks can be made from many materials. The cheapest and easiest to set up is a polyethylene tank. These are lightweight and can be moved more easily than steel tanks. Though less common due to a higher price point, fiberglass is another lightweight and rust-resistant material used to make rain barrels. Metal such as stainless steel or copper can make an attractive rain barrel that prevents rust, although these barrels will be significantly heavier than polyethylene ones.
To make your own rain barrel, you will need a rust-resistant barrel, a level platform to place it on, a screen to filter impurities and an optional faucet system to aid rainwater removal. The simplest type of do-it-yourself rain barrel is the uncovered barrel, where water is harvested by dipping in a cup or pan. The disadvantage of this kind is that anything, from leaves to bird droppings, could drop in and contaminate the water. To prevent this from happening, purchase a lid and a screen inset for the rainwater tank, and install the screen the beneath the lid. If you plan on using a rain barrel with a lid, purchase a faucet kit and drill a hole 6 to 12 inches up from the bottom of your barrel. This allows for easy water harvesting.
Considerations
The best place to keep a rain barrel is underneath the eaves of a house. If you have a gutter spout, place the barrel directly beneath the spout so the water exits into the barrel; you can cut or shorten the gutter spout. You can also place a rain barrel underneath the roof of a shed, garage or other structure and direct water via a rain chain into the barrel.
To aid in harvesting the water, place the rainwater tank on a wooden platform or a slab of cinder blocks. This way you can place a watering can or other bucket underneath the spout, and the pressure of the water won't cause the barrel to sink into soft ground.
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