Rainwater catchment is used throughout the world.
According to Southwest Florida Water Management District, a 1/2 inch of rainfall will supply you with 50 gallons of water. Rain barrels for a residential household vary in size with most small tanks holding about 50 gallons. They are installed above ground at the end of a gutter drainage pipe where they collect water run off from the roof. Opaque plastic tanks are the most economical for a single family home. Once the tank is installed all you have to do is wait for rain. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Attach your tank to the end of a gutter. A manufactured rainwater tank will slide under the gutter's drain pipe. If you find the barrel is slightly too tall for your pipe you can place the pipe inside the barrel and cut a hole in the covering to accommodate the pipe. In the event that your tank is much too tall, use a hand-held hacksaw to cut the pipe to the appropriate length. Barrels that once held food products such as olives or juices can be reused as tanks. The bin should be made of opaque plastic to deter algae growth in the water. Use wire mesh and a solid covering to place over the top of the bin. The wire mesh will catch the bird droppings, leaves and insects that could sneak through the cracks of a solid covering.
2. Collect rainwater. According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, one square inch of rooftop will produce about one 1/2 gallon of rainwater in your tank. If a heavy rain fills your tank, the excess water will simply splash off as overflow. Using your collected rainwater on a regular basis will help prevent overflow.
3. Clean your rain barrels. Pull the barrel away from the gutter. Reuse the remainder of the water and dump the excess. Use a hose to spray down the sides of the barrel. Do not use any disinfectants or chemical-based cleaning products on the inside of the barrel.
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