Rain water harvesting can be done inexpensively:
I made this rain harvester for about 3 to 5 cents a gallon (not including the cost of the barrels which can be FREE).
I avoided the normal cost of a rainwater harvester which usually includes the supplies needed for each barrel: spigots ($4), outlet flanges ($5), overflow flanges ($5), pipe etc. etc. Now, I'm all for saving rain, but I'd like to save some money while I'm at it! :-)
So, I figured out how to connect my barrels together for 3 to 5 cents per gallon!
I currently have 2400 gallons of capacity, and have spent about $120.These pages (see links on right) will show you how.
Rain Barrel Best Deal
Here is the cheapest 55 gallon barrel currently available online:
"baytech containers $49+free shipping" Feb 25th.
Post a comment if you find one cheaper and I'll update the above.
27 comments:
rain barrel kits can be found at www.aquabarrel.com
I like your setup!
I also wrote a post about rainbarrels.
http://kittytigerskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/12/saving-money-by-using-rain-barrels.html
I also like to save money, and water is expensive where I live.
Chris, you mentioned you had great water pressure with this system. I'm curious how you use the water. Are we limited to directing the water to our gardens and lawns by gravity or physically carrying it only? I'm trying to plan where my barrels will be located and was wondering if they should be uphill from my raised bed gardens? I'm planning on hooking up my sump pump discharge pipe to my rain barrels. Currently it pumps water from the basement and around the foundation of my house out into the yard.
Greg, I use a drip line hose (1/2") that runs thru my garden bed. From that, I insert the "T" barbs. Usually, you put mini 1/4" tube onto the "T" barbs, but I don't! I let the water come directly out of the "T" barbs. With the stack of barrels, the water shoots out pretty far when full. When it is almost empty, I still get enough pressure because the hose is about 1 foot lower than the place where the barrels are (4 inches of that 1 foot are because the barrels stand on gravel which is boardered by limestones). Anyway the pressure is enough to "drip" water my garden in this way. And no need to buy the drip-irrigation minitube / drip emitters!
Did you connect the barrels top to bottom in any other way than the water flow hoses? To secure them in any way I mean? Or are they designed so that they next well together?
Thanks for the other response. I should be in good shape as my raised beds are a good foot or two lower than my tentative location for the rain barrels.
Greg,
The barrels just sit on each other. They are pretty stable by themselves because they sit on a very level surface. But you could put boards ontop of the first row to make a single table-top like base for the upper row of barrels to sit on. Send me a picture of your setup - I'll put it here if you would like! Chris
Chris - do you ever do talks on your system? I would like to book you for a NPSOT chapter talk up here in the Dallas area, if you do. Thanks- Shauna
you can contact me here, about the speaking engagement:
garland at npsot dot org
Thanks! Shauna
very informative. thanks!
~melody~
Wow! I pay a flat rate in my town in New Hampshire, but rain barrels are certainly an interesting invention. Especially in the dryer south regions.
I remember my grandfather and grandmother used to have a couple that they watered their garden with when they lived in south Florida.
I'm curious as to mold growth, though. Anything that is standing for about a week in my region immediately becomes infested with bug larva and sludge. Not the best things to be spraying on my tomatoes and cucumbers, I'm sure!
Ed,
I've never seen any mold or algae growing. My Barrels are black (I'm not sure if white ones would grow algae etc). But, could algae be beneficial to the garden (like compost Tea)?
Regarding bug larvae and mold. I have a "more manual" system than Chris and I don't have a problem with them in the same climate (about 15 miles away). Keep the system closed and the bugs stay out. I heard of the old Roman cistern trick of putting a few drops of olive oil in an open rain collection system, This floats on the top and snuffs out the bugs. It seemed to work for me.
Just wanted to let you know that I can get used 55 gallon drums for $15 each at my local feed store.
You need to add a link to the http://wateringwithrainwater.blogspot.com blog!
There are many home owners who install water tanks to store water for their homes. I really want to hide water tank so I want to install water tank underground.
Nice set up of rainwater storage. Good to see that are very artistic in your own way.
round tank
That’s resourcefulness at its best. It’s not a hidden fact that the most expensive component of a rainwater harvesting system is the tank, and gallons are actually the next best thing. This would totally make do for a household. A water conservation system need not be professionally installed, just as long as it serves its purpose. A ‘good job’ is not enough, but still, good job! ;)
Tabatha Tidd
It’s always a good idea to make full use of rain water. And yes, using storage devices such as rainwater harvester or barrels (like what you did) is the best way to store water for future use, but be sure that everything is properly installed – the pipes, filter, etc. Conserve water properly.
-Sharon Strock
Those are huge water tanks! I’m sure they’re heavy, how did you managed to take it up there? It must have drained your energy! You should carefully map out a plan on how your water system would work. I’m sure, it’s already done by now, maybe you could also post its end result.
-Sharon Strock
I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for sharing such a great post with us.
we can use many things as a suppliment to the gallen.which helps to reduce the cost for rainwater harvesting.
For more project of rain harvesting system please contact us or visit our website for more details.
I am very much pleased with the contents you have mentioned.
rainwater pumps
Jet Pump
Awesome post! This is exactly what I was looking to do... Thank you for sharing!the expense of installing a sump pump pit and the cost of purchasing a sump pump cannot compare with what you otherwise might be faced with if the foundations to your property gets damaged. Read more.
Great Post! As with all things government, the sump pump and pit program is likely to run into problems. Don't get me wrong: The sump pump and pit and back water valve program is a good idea. It should have been done years ago and it would have probably saved a lot of hardship for homeowners and the city and province alike.For more information visit this page. Thanks!
awesome post! really amazing ! I'm sorry to hear about all the flooding you have had to deal with! I just got sump pump installation in seattle and it works great!Thanks!
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