A large plastic barrel can be used as a homemade water storage system.
Water is a precious resource, one that is a problem in some areas of the United States. Stored water can make a real difference in times of water shortage when flowers and vegetables can wither and die and landscape plants deteriorate. A good way to store water for your plants when drought or water shortages threaten is to collect rainwater during rainy seasons to use for a later time. Rainwater collection is a growing trend across the country to conserve water, and it's easy to set up your own homemade water storage system in preparation for dry periods. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Purchase a 55-gallon plastic rain barrel. You can find these at plastic container suppliers, plant nurseries, garden centers and home improvement centers.
2. Wash the barrel with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water to remove dirt and any remaining residues.
3. Cut a rectangle in the top of the barrel the same size as the gutters on your house.
Drill a ½-inch hole about 1½ inches below the top of the barrel. and install a ½-inch PVC nipple with elbow for an overflow outlet.
4. Drill a ½-inch hole about 4 inches above the bottom of the barrel. Screw in the spigot.
Lay gravel on the ground about 6 inches larger than the base of the barrel to keep the ground from getting muddy when draining water from the barrel.
5. Position 4 cement blocks together solidly on top of the gravel to make a raised platform for the barrel. This will allow you to place buckets and sprinkling cans under the spigot for filling.
6. Set the barrel on top of the cement blocks with the hole cut in the top directly under the gutter elbow to catch the rainwater.
7. Saw the gutter downspout 6 inches above the opening in the barrel's top. Fit onto the end a gutter elbow in a Z-shape that will direct water into the opening. There should be about 2 inches between the end of the downspout and the top of the barrel.
8. Cut the mesh slightly larger than the hole on the top of the barrel and secure it over the hole with screws, fitting the washers under the screws.
Tags: about inches, cement blocks, Drill -inch, Drill -inch hole, gutter elbow