You can find a list of state-specific regulations here: https://www. ncsl. org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/rainwater-harvesting. aspx. Some areas that allow rain collection may even offer tax exemptions if you use a rain barrel.
You can buy plastic barrels from your local hardware store or online. Avoid using light-colored or clear barrels since they could let light inside and cause algae to grow in the water. Make sure the plastic barrel you’re using is labeled as “food-safe,” or else contaminants could leach into the water from the plastic.
The overflow hole will allow excess water to drain out in case it gets too full. You can buy hole saw attachments from your local hardware store.
You can buy bulkhead fittings from your local hardware store.
Avoid putting the valve hole any higher on the barrel, or else you won’t be able to drain all of the rainwater out.
You can use any type of faucet valve for your rain barrel.
If the hole is too tight to screw the faucet valve in, scrape the sides of the hole with a file or rasp until it’s large enough for the faucet. Be careful not to make the hole too large or else the faucet won’t fit snugly.
You can buy insect netting from outdoor or home improvement stores. Mosquitoes commonly breed and lay eggs in water, so it’s important to keep them out of your water supply.
You can use any downspout attached to your home’s gutter system.
Cinder blocks also raise the barrel off of the ground so you can fit a container underneath the faucet when you want to empty the barrel. You can also set concrete pavers on top of the cinder blocks if you don’t want gaps between them.
Use a step ladder if you aren’t able to reach the section you need to cut out.
You can buy rain filter diverters online or from your local outdoor care store. You do not need to screw or fasten the rain filter diverter to the downspout since it will have a snug fit.
You can buy a first-flush diverter kit online or from outdoor care stores for about $50 USD. Don’t attach a rain barrel to the downspout without a first flush diverter, or else you could contaminate the water with bird poop, dust, or leaves. As rainwater flows through the first-flush diverter, it will fill the vertical tube and cause the ball to float to the top. Once the vertical tube fills, the ball will create a seal and allow the cleaner water to go into the rain barrel.
If you’re worried about bugs going up through the hose, you may secure insect netting to the end of the hose.
The water will drain out of the barrel more quickly when it’s full. If you didn’t get a lot of rainfall, then there may not be enough water inside the barrel for it to completely drain.
Activated carbon filters usually cost around $25–40 USD, but larger models or containers with built-in filters may be more expensive. Activated carbon filters do not remove bacteria or pathogens from water, so the water still may not be completely safe to drink. If you don’t have an activated carbon filter and it’s an emergency, you can use a coffee filter to remove larger particles from the water.
You can use a pot without a lid if you want, but you will lose some of the rainwater through evaporation. If you live in altitudes higher than 5,000 feet (1,500 m), then boil the water for a minimum of 3 minutes instead.
If you don’t smell chlorine in the water, add 6–8 more drops of bleach and let it stand for 15 more minutes. If the water has a chlorine flavor, transfer it to a clean container and allow it to stand for 2–3 hours before drinking it.
Water test kits usually check for acidity, chlorine, lead, pesticides, iron, copper, and bacteria. If there are high levels of any pollutants in your water, avoid drinking it since it may be unsafe. You may be able to clean out pollutants from your rain barrel by draining it completely and rinsing it out with clean water from your hose.
