Collecting Rain for Plant and Garden Watering

Collecting rain for plants and garden watering.

There are many items you can use to collect rain water and then use this stored water in your garden and water house plants or even to wash your car. Then you can just use bucket or watering cans to distribute the water to the places you want it. You can also add a pump and hose system to get it there for you.

Using a container with a lid or screen cover will help keep it safe and keep animals, insects and debris out of it.

PVC Water Storage Tanks

If you are ready to shell out $1 a gallon for rain water storage, these tanks come in capacities ranging from 300 gallons to 10,000 gallons. They are specially designed, with a food-grade interior and often a UV-stabilized black or dark green exterior that prevents algal growth in the tank by blocking sunlight. Another advantage is that in addition to a top lid, they come with precision-cut openings at the top and bottom that can serve as water inlet and overflow outlet.

Plastic Barrels

For a much less expensive option than PVC water tanks, you can go for sturdy plastic barrels with a fitted lid. Some may have one or two holes on the lid; otherwise you have to cut out a 2-inch wide circle. Attach a flexible tube to the gutter downspout and insert it into the opening in the lid. A smaller hole drilled close to the bottom of the barrel can be fitted with a tap for drawing the water.

Garbage Bins

Large-sized bins with a lid can be easily converted into rain water storage by cutting in a large hole on the lid and a smaller one near the bottom. Inlet and outlet can be fixed to these holes, but if the bin has built-in wheels, you can make a portable arrangement. Cut off the bottom end of the downspout to accommodate the bin. Attach a flexible hose to the bottom hole of the bin, as long as its height. Keep the hose raised by fixing it to the top of the bin with a clamp. Draw water by lowering the hose. When one bin is full, you can wheel it away and keep another one to catch the water. That way, you can store water at different areas for spot use.

Wooden Barrels

If you have a problem with the use of plastics, clean, waterproof, wooden barrels can take the place of plastic barrels. Vertical kegs usually come with an opening at the bottom or a small tap already attached, but you may have to replace it with a larger one to increase water flow. Keep each barrel on wheeled wooden platforms to make them portable.

by Susan Patterson

Cleaning out your storage system on a regular basis to keep from mold and other stuff from growing in there.

Many cities are offering water and sewage rebates if your home is equipped with rain-water catching capabilities.  Consider this option as a way to help the environment and your pocketbook!