Rain pots, also called rain barrels, capture and store rain water running off of a rooftop. A variety of utilitarian and decorative downspout systems channel the rain water from the roof to the pot or barrel. In drought prone locations, using stored rain water to subsidize lawn and garden water saves money and resources. Does this Spark an idea?
Design
Commercially available rain barrels are most often made in the style of a plastic 55 gallon drum. The barrels have a screen grate on top to protect the stored water from debris and a spout near the bottom to release the water as needed. You're not limited to these no-frills designs; get creative and make rain storage systems to suit your landscape. Cover the sides of the plastic barrel with mosaic tiles or copper sheeting to add color, style and drama to the design. Paint the rain barrel with acrylics or exterior latex paint to make it blend into the side of your house. You can also paint a decorative landscape scene onto the rain pot or make it resemble an old whiskey barrel.
Downspouts
Downspout systems direct the rain water runoff from the roof into the rain pot. Typically, downspout systems are made from standard gutter spouts positioned directly above the rain pot. As with the rain pot, you are not limited to using gutter spouts to channel the water, but it is the most effective method. Gutter down spouts connect directly to your home's gutter system, catching the majority of water that runs off the roof. Rain chains, often made from copper, also direct water from the roofline into the rain pot. Rain chains are more decorative than gutter spouts, but not as efficient. Water trickles from the roof, along the links in the chain and into the pot.
Retrieval
Retrieving water from a commercial rain pot requires a standard water hose. Rain barrels have PVC fittings connected to the spout at the base that fit the end of a water hose. Attach the hose to the rain barrel fitting the same way you would attach a water hose to an outside spigot. Water retrieval from homemade rain pots without the spout fitting can be trickier. Dip water buckets or other containers into the rain pot to remove small amounts of water at a time.
Advantages
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, rain pots will save many homeowners an average of 1300 gallons of water during the heat of the summer. This savings not only translates into free water for gardening and lawn maintenance, it reduces the impact of runoff into nearby streams and reduces the demand for treated tap water. Use collected rain water for more than keeping your grass green and watering your flowers. Wash your car, clean outdoor furniture, clean your windows and top up a swimming pool with stored rain water.
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