Downspout Rainwater

[Durgan]

16 April 2011 Downspout Rainwater 16 April 2011 Downspout Rainwater

Four barrels ares used, two on each side of the house to collect roof rainwater. The connections were switched over from Winter to Summer, since there will now be no more hard frosts. The system is simple and practical.

[MsMarieH]

Very interesting setup. Thank you for sharing the pictures. I've been wondering how to handle winter with the rainbarrels I am getting ready to install.

[Contrary Housewife]

We bought a rain barrel today! The Girl Scouts were selling them all fitted out and ready to go. I'm excited to see how it works. DH is talking about building a platform for it, so we get a little more gravitational feed when watering from it.

Thanks for sharing the photos. Poor little Neena looks cold.

[MomToTwoBoys]

I have a question about this since DH asked me to ask you:

What do you do when your barrels are full? Are those 50 gallon drums? Do you just re-hook the winter connection to allow the drainage to go into the ground water drainage system or do you have an overflow system to take care of excess runoff?

[Durgan]

I have a question about this since DH asked me to ask you:

What do you do when your barrels are full? Are those 50 gallon drums? Do you just re-hook the winter connection to allow the drainage to go into the ground water drainage system or do you have an overflow system to take care of excess runoff?

The Winter connection is only to prevent frost damage to the barrels. The barrels are 45 gallon drums. I got them for $15.00 each. They were food grade barrels, and are common,all you have to do is find a place to buy them.

The excess run off is always a problem with storage systems. When the barrels are full the excess water flows out of the top large bung hole. This water is dispersed on the ground and flows its normal route usually to the storm sewer in my case.

Any overflow system must have a large exit hole, since even a small rain causes a lot of flow. It would be impossible to have an adequate flow in all cases, but the large bung hole overflow is a reasonable compromise. Any hole smaller is basically useless.

[Durgan]

How do you prevent mosquitoes from using them as a breeding pool?

The system is basically closed, since there is only one feed into the system. Mosquitoes are not an issue, and if they are simply disturb the barrel often.

How do you prevent runaway algae growth in them?

The water gets used too often for any algae from forming.

Do you connect all four together and feed from one location or are they all treated as separate sources/collectors?

Barrels on each side of the house are connected in tandem. The system has only one feed point. Basically a closed system.

If you do connect them, what kind of plumbing/hosing is used?

The connections are all standard NPT from the local hardware store.

Do you 'pump' the water or let gravity feed it and what kind of sprinkler/soaker do you use?

I gravity feed into pails and use a two wheeled cart to take to the garden area. I also have a sump pump connected to a hose, but seldom use it.

What kind of preparation do you do for winter beyond draining?

Winter, the feed pipe is disconnected from the barrels, and the barrels are simply drained to prevent frost damage.

My house has a large neighbour tree that overhangs about half the roof. The eaves troughs collect debris and it gets washed down the spouts. When it doesn't get washed down on its own, I have to climb up and do it deliberately. Is there some mechanism to prevent this debris from getting into the barrels and clogging up the exit ports?

A screen is place in the feed hole to limit leaves and debris from accumulating.

Where I live there is usually a "Watering Ban" in place during the summer. How do you avoid a 'fine' for watering during a ban?
Rainwater is not included in any water ban, unless your local councilors are idiots.


8 April 2009 Downspout Rainwater 8 April 2009 Downspout Rainwater
Pictures indicating a simple, practical method of utilizing downspout rainwater. Barrels cost 15 dollars and all parts are standard plumbing fittings. Any urban downspout system must address the overflow problem during rainfall. The large bung hole is a reasonable compromise for overflow. The height is such that a hose may be utilized for watering plants, but I usually use five gallon buckets on a two wheeled cart. The system is readily expandable by cascading more barrels in line. I have four barrels, two on each side of the house. the system is essentially closed, hence mosquitoes are not a problem.

16 April 2009 Downspout Water Connection. 16 April 2009 Downspout Water Connection.
Seasonal connections. The downspout water system was switched over to Summer mode by connecting the downspout to the storage barrels.