Do’s & Don’ts When Making A Rain Barrel For Rainwater Collection

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Rain barrels are all the rage these days!

Did you know that 623 gallons of water can be harvested from 1 inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof?

In terms of rain barrels, a typical 1/2-inch rainfall will fill a 50- to 55-gallon barrel.

Here are some fun and easy ways to make your own rain barrel:

• Build Your Own Rain Barrel
• Super Cheap & Easy DIY Rain Barrel
• How To Make A Rain Barrel
• 3 Cheap Rain Barrels That Actually Look Nice
• How To Start A Home Rain Barrel Project
• The EPA’s Tips For Making A Rain Barrel
• 3 Ways To Make A Rain Barrel For Less Than $10
  
• Step-By-Step How To Make A Rain Catcher
  

 

Rain Barrel Do’s & Don’ts

DO keep pets and children safe by making sure your rain barrel has a sturdy top.

DON’T cook with or drink water that’s been collected in a rain barrel.

DO make sure all openings on your rain barrel are screened to keep out mosquitoes.

DON’T use old barrels that formerly held something toxic.

DO make sure your rain barrel adapts for overflow (either direct excess rainwater away from the barrel or link multiple barrels together).

 

More About Rain Barrels

• Rain Barrel Facts
• Harvesting Rain Water For Cooking & Drinking
• Other Ways To Collect Water

Here’s a great video that shows how to recycle rain water — rather than letting it become wastewater:

 

Smelly Rain Barrel Water

If the water in your rain barrel gets starts to smell (or turns green), try adding goldfish! They keep the water very clean by eating the algae that turns it green. However, don’t dump the goldfish in a stream or river because they’re invasive. Instead, give them to a child with a fish tank or return them to the store.

Barley-straw pellets are another option. They kill algae but won’t harm plants.

A DIY option is to pour a small amount of vinegar into the water. It should clear it up relatively quickly. As a bonus… the vinegar also kills mosquito larvae.

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