The Next Rain Barrel Sale will be Spring of 2024.

 

What is a rain barrel?

Rain barrels are a container that collects non-potable (not drinkable) rainwater to be used at a later time to water your garden or clean equipment. 


NOTE: Rain barrels are a non-potable water source. Do not drink water from a rain barrel.

Source: Oleson, Diane. “Rain Barrels for Water Conservation.” Penn State Extension, 21 March 2020, http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2020/03/penn-state-extension-rain-barrels-for.html

Did You Know:

Image Source: “Rain Barrels.” Lincoln, CA - Stormwater Program, 3 Feb. 2021, https://lincolnstormwater.org/residents/rain-barrels/.

  • 675 gallons of storm water run off a 1000 square foot roof for every one inch of rain.

  • Only 0.01% of the Earth's water is fresh surface water contained in lakes, streams and rivers.

  • On average an individual living in the United States uses 154 gallons of water daily.* People in Germany on average use 50 gallons of water daily.* People in the United Kingdom on average use 39 gallons of water daily.*

Why have a rain barrel?

Rain barrels are a great way to help save money! They are an inexpensive way to collect water for later use. Most people have rain barrels to water their gardens and clean their lawn equipment. Using a rain barrel will help reduce costs when watering plants, cleaning yard equipment, and other non-potable uses.

Rain Barrel Workshop

A great way to conserve water is to use rain barrels to irrigate your garden beds. At We Plant it Forward we hold rain barrel making workshops and offer free instructions online. Participants make a rain barrel and take the rain barrel home to install under a down spout next to your house.

Hundreds of gallons of storm water run off a roof with each inch of rain. The storm water caught in the rain barrels (often called gray* water) is for irrigation purposes only. The average American uses thirty percent of water for outdoor use. To learn more about water use EPA Watersense By using rain barrels, you can save on your city water use costs. Conserve municipal and well water supplies for potable** use...make a rain barrel!

*What is gray water? Untreated water that is not potable in other words not drinkable.
**What is potable water? Drinkable (often referred to as treated water)

Contact us today, if you would like to hold a rain barrel workshop in your area. We will need to identify a source for barrels in your area before we can schedule a workshop.

Rain Barrel Sale - Next Sale TBA

Once or twice a year we have a rain barrel sale. At the top of the website is an announcement bar that will indicate if a rain barrel sale is currently occurring. To place your order click the “Rain Barrel Order Form” button below. In order for us to complete your order, you will need to both complete the order form and pay for the rain barrel(s) in advance. Use the PayPal payment button below to make your payment. Rain Barrels are for pickup only. No deliveries. Start your water conservation program at home today!

Can I have a rain barrel?

In the United States, it is not illegal to collect rainwater but in some states, there are certain restrictions on collecting rainwater. Some states have regulations on collecting rainwater because some argue that it disrupts the natural flow of water back into streams and bodies of water, but there are studies that show homeowners have little to no effect on the water cycle. Some Western states have restrictions due to old water laws that state that all rain belongs to water-rights owners. Some regulations also have to deal with possible health concerns. 

North Carolina allows the collection for non-potable use only. Some HOA’s might have different rules, so always be sure to check with local rules and regulations. To see other state regulations use this link: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/states-where-it-is-illegal-to-collect-rainwater

Source: “States Where It Is Illegal To Collect Rainwater 2022.” States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater 2022, https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/states-where-it-is-illegal-to-collect-rainwater.

Important Information:

  • Be mindful of what type of roof you have so you do not put toxic chemicals onto the plants that you are eating, and know the amount of yield able to come off your roof.

    • Tin - for the least amount of water lost, tin is one of the best, around 5% loss. Tin can possibly have a lead coating.

    • Metal - can contain zinc in the coating which can leach into the water. There is no data on how much water is lost.

    • Asphalt - some can leach contaminants and older roofs could contain asbestos. Particles from asphalt roofing can build up in the rain barrel causing the system to fail. And can expect about a 10% loss of water.

    • Clay tiles - not as efficient as tin, have around 10% water loss, and can have biological growth on the roof. 

    • Ceramic, Cement, and Rubber - can affect the pH levels of the water. There is no data on how much water is lost.

Sources:

 

Resources on How to Make a Rain Barrel

Here you find a full set of written instructions on how to make a rain barrel. Click here for a pdf file of instructions.

The following is a full length video of step by step instructions on how to make a rain barrel using a barrel with a fixed lid.  If you have a barrel with a removable lid, just skip over the part where the instructor cuts a hole in the top of the barrel. If you have any questions, send us an email.

*Water use figures are from UN Development Program 2006 Human Development Report. Beyond Scarcity: Power Poverty and the Global Water Crisis.

Maintenance

Rain barrels are fairly low maintenance, but they require yearly cleaning to clean out biological growth and any sediment that made its way into the system. Some things to watch for are overflow which can lead to erosion at the foundation and breeding place for insects.

Source: Montgomerycountymd.gov, Department of Environmental Protection, “How to Maintain Your Rain Barrel .” 2013, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/PostersPamphlets/Rain-Barrels.p

References:

“How to Maintain Your Rain Barrel .” Montgomerycountymd.gov, Department of Environmental Protection, 2013, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/PostersPamphlets/Rain-Barrels.pdf. 

Oleson, Diane. “Rain Barrels for Water Conservation.” Penn State Extension, 19 March 2020, https://extension.psu.edu/rain-barrels-for-water-conservation. 

“Rain Barrels.” Lincoln, CA - Stormwater Program, 3 Feb. 2021, https://lincolnstormwater.org/residents/rain-barrels/. 

Rochat, Ezekiel. “Roof Types for Rainwater Harvesting.” PerfectWater, 4perfectwater.Com, 2020, https://4perfectwater.com/blog/rainwater-harvesting-roof-types. 

“States Where It Is Illegal To Collect Rainwater 2022.” States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater 2022, https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/states-where-it-is-illegal-to-collect-rainwater.