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C O L L E C T I N G
What is a rain barrel?
A rain barrelis a containerthat collectsand storesrainwater –usually fromrooftops anddownspouts.Rain barrels
typically range insize from 55 to 95gallons and can beused alone or grouped togetherin connected sets. Ready-maderain barrels can be purchasedlocally, ordered online or you canbuild your own. Homemade rainbarrels are most often made fromempty 55-gallon, food-gradedrums.
A G U I D E T O R A I N B A R R E L S
or centuries, rainwater has been collected as a wayfor people and communities to meet their water needs.
Today, this simple technology is still in use – most often forcontrolling stormwater runoff and conserving water.
ollecting
rainwater
conserves
water
and
helps
reduce
stormwater
runoff.
Did you know? Larger rainwater catchmentsystems are called cisterns or tanks. They can
range in size from 250 to 15,000 gallons!
Why use a rain barrel?
Collecting rainwater is an easy way to conservewater – and save money on your water bill.During the drier season, when water consumptionin Bellingham often doubles, using collectedrainwater also reduces the strain on the city’swater supply and keeps more water available forfish and wildlife. Rainwater is also naturally “soft”and free of minerals and chemicals, making itideal for plants and lawns.
Using a rain barrel to collect rainwater also helpsreduce stormwater runoff that might otherwiserun down storm drains and into our streams,rivers, lakes and bays.Stormwater runoff cancause flooding anderosion, and carrypollutants into ourwaterways.
www.cob.org/services/environment/conservation
Cyp
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gal
id
you
know
a full
55-gallon
rain
barrel
can
weigh
450 lbs.!
• Only use food-grade barrels.
• Avoid collecting rainwater from roofsthat have been treated with chemicals(ie. moss killers, zinc strips, etc.).
• Never use your rain barrel water for drinking orwashing. If you choose to use collected rainwaterfor growing edible fruits, vegetable or herbs,always rinse with tap water before consuming.
• Mosquito control is importantdue to West Nile Virus. You canalso help prevent mosquitoesfrom breeding by placing atablespoon of vegetable oil inyour barrel. More information onmosquito control can be foundat www.pep.wsu.edu.
• Be sure to place your rainbarrel(s) on a strong, sturdy, andflat base.
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R A I N B A R R E L
Chr
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Joyc
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Todd
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arrie
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Unpainted Painted
B U I L D Y O U R O W N
I N 6 E A S Y S T E P S !
INSTRUCTIONS
Turn over for materials and tools list.
Step #1Drill a 7/8 inch hole several inches up from the bottomof a food-grade barrel. Make sure the size of the hole will accommodate the size of your water faucet.
Step #2Squeeze adhesive (marine glue or water-resistant silicone caulking) around the hole rim.
Step #3Place a flat, galvanized washer over the threaded end of a brass water faucet. Screw the faucet into the hole.
Step #4Decide which side of the barrel will have the overflow valve, then rotate the barrel a quarter-turn. Drill ahole near the top of the barrel, matching the size of the hole with the size of the overflow valve.
Step #5Squeeze adhesive around the hole rim. Screw the overflow valve into the hole, inserting the side of thevalve with the narrower threading (the side with wider threading is for connecting a hose).
Step #6If the barrel does not have a hole on top, cut one. Use a plastic grate or pond/pool skimmer basket tocover the hole. This helps keep leaves and other debris out of the barrel. To keep insects out, considercovering the grate or basket with fine mesh screen or nylon stocking.
See the Rain Barrel Installation sheet for instructions.
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MATERIALS• Barrel (Food-Grade)• Adhesive:
Marine Glue or Silicone Caulking• 1/2 inch Brass Water Faucet• Teflon Tape (optional for use with faucet)• 7/8 inch Flat, Galvanized Washer• 3/4 inch PVC Adapter Overflow Valve• Plastic Grate or Skimmer Basket• Mesh Screen or Nylon Stocking (optional)
Note: These materials and tools may or may not work depending onseveral factors including barrel size, style and wall thickness.
TOOLS• Drill• Saw (hole or jig)
BARREL SUPPLIERS
55-gallon, food-grade barrels are available locally. Prices vary,but expect to pay $10-20 unless you get it for FREE. Mostcommon colors are blue, green, brown and white. Whitebarrels should be painted to prevent potential algae growthinside the barrel. The safest barrels are ones made from#1 (PETE), #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE) or #5 (PP) plastics.
• Whatcom Farmers Co-op3500 Meridian St. - Bellingham – 734-40101720 LaBounty Rd. - Ferndale – 380-0578
• Hardware Sales2034 James St. - Bellingham – 734-6140
• Trans-Ocean Products350 W. Orchard Dr. - Bellingham – 671-6886
• Z Recyclers6129 Guide Meridian Rd. - Lynden – 398-2161
The City of Bellingham does not recommend or endorse any of these local suppliers.Check online or with your local nursery, processor or recycler for additional options.
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See also: Rain Barrel Installation, Collecting Rainwater – A Guide to Rain Barrels
Printed on 100% recycled paper. Updated 3/09
Nic
k H
artr
ich
www.cob.org/services/environment/conservation
R A I N B A R R E L
LocationBefore installingrain barrels, takea moment toconsider how therain barrels will beused, how muchwater will be needed (especiallyduring drier months), how manyare being installed and howoverflow will be handled. Also,make sure rain barrels are cleanand free of debris before installingthem. If the rain barrel(s) will beattached to a downspout, choose aconvenient, easy-to-access location.
BasesRain barrels canbe installedupright or tippedon their sides.Bases should bestrong, sturdyand flat, and canbe made from:
• Cinder Blocks • Bricks • Stones • Wood • Cement
Barrel(s) should be placed highenough off the ground – generallya foot or more – to be able to fill awatering can, or attach a hose andget good pressure. Place thebarrel(s) on the base with theintake hole closest to thedownspout.
Downspout DisconnectionThere are a number of ways to connect thedownspout to the rain barrel. Where you cutthe downspout will depend on the type ofconnector material you choose. A flexibledownspout extender makes an easy transition,eliminating the need for exact measurementbecause it bends and stretches. You can alsouse a downspout elbow, a section of straightdownspout crimped on one end to fit into thehole, a rubber bib or coupling formed into afunnel shape or a chainthat hangs from yourgutter and drains directlyinto the rain barrel.Cut the downspout, thensecure one connector
ne inch
of rain
falling
in one day
on 1,000
square feet
of roof
can produce
over
600 gallons
of water!
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D E C O R AT I N G R A I N B A R R E L SStart with a clean, dry rain barrel. Scruffthe surface with sandpaper so the painthas something to adhere too. Prime, letdry, then paint with exterior house paint.More than one finish coat may be neededdepending on the original color of yourbarrel and the paint color. White barrelsshould be painted to reduce algae growth.Stickers and colored tape adhere well torain barrels too.M
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SAFETY REMINDER: A full, 55-gallon rain barrel can weigh up to 450 pounds!Be sure to place your rain barrel(s) on a strong, sturdy and flat base.
For commercial rain barrel installation, follow manufacturer instructions.
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end to the downspout and position the otheron top of, or in, thehole. Use screws (ifneeded) to attachthe downspoutconnector to thedownspout.
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TOOLS
Multiple Rain BarrelsMultiple rain barrels can beinstalled in onelocation. Connecttwo or more rainbarrels via anextra intake holeon top orthrough theoverflow fittingnear the top andside of thebarrel(s). Startingwith the mainrain barrel (the oneconnected to thedownspout), connectoverflow hoses to eachadditional rain barrel. Whenyou reach the last rainbarrel, make sure overflowis directed away from yourhouse or neighboringproperty (see Overflowinfo at left).
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MATERIALSDownspout Disconnection Options:• Flexible Downspout Extender• Downspout Elbow• Straight Downspout Section• Rubber Bib or Coupling
Overflow Options:• Garden hose (wide thread end)
or with hose clamp• Double-threaded pipe
• Drill• Saw• Screwdriver
See also: Build Your Own Rain Barrel, Collecting Rainwater – A Guide to Rain Barrels
Printed on 100% recycled paper. Updated 3/09
www.cob.org/services/environment/conservation
OverflowAs your rainbarrel(s) fills,you will wantto considerwhat to dowith anyoverflow.Sections of
garden hose, pipe or downspouts can all beused to handle overflow via the overflowvalve. Overflow can be directed back downthe old downspout. If allowed to flownaturally, it must flowonto a landscaped area orlawn large enough tofilter the water – generallyan area about 15 squarefeet. Overflow must bedirected at least 10 feetaway from anyfoundation or impervioussurface (like a driveway orsidewalk) and 5 feet awayfrom a neighboringproperty or right of way.
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Todd
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John
Wile
y &
Car
olyn
Mill
ing
R A I N B A R R E L
se
rainwater
to water
your lawn,
garden
or
indoor
plants,
fill an iron
or wading
pool
– or even
wash
your dog!
Rain barrels are low tech and low maintenance, but there area few things you will want to do to keep your rain barrel(s)working properly:
• Check your rain barrel on a regular basis to makesure all openings are clean, free of debris and flowingfreely.
• During severe rain storms,check your rain barrel tomake sure the overflowsare working properly.
• During months when temperatures are belowfreezing, you might want to disconnect thebarrel from the downspout to avoid the
formation of ice which candamage your rainbarrel. Avoid repeatedfreezing and thawing as thiscan weaken your barrel.
• Consider draining your rain barrel forthe winter. Store upside down so icedoesn’t form inside and crack the barrel.
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• Cover the intake hole with a plastic grate orskimmer basket covered with a nylon stocking orfine mesh screen to prevent debris, mosquitoes orother bugs from getting inside your rain barrel.
Todd
Edi
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& C
arrie
Bla
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Cyp
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itra
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R E S O U R C E S
rain • rainwater • rainwater harvestingcollecting rainwater • rainwater collection
rain barrels • cisternsrainwater catchment systems
heck
online
or
visit
your
library
for
more
info.
WSU Whatcom County Extension(360) 676-6736 – [email protected]/ag/compost
City of Bellingham – Public Works Operations(360) 778-7700 – [email protected]/services/environment/conservation
See also: Build Your Own Rain Barrel, Rain Barrel Installation
Printed on 100% recycled paper. Updated 3/09
E V E R Y D R O P C O U N T S !
Mic
hael
Cos
tello
e
The RE StoreUsed Building Materials and More(360) 647-5921 – [email protected]
City of Bellingham Water Conservationwww.cob.org/services/environment/conservation
WSU/Whatcom County Extensionwww.whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost
The RE Storewww.re-store.org
Department of Ecology: Rainwater Collection in Washington Statewww.ecy.wa.gov/PROGRAMS/wr/hq/rwh.html
Harvest H2Owww.harvesth2o.com/index.shtml
Rainwater Catchment for Dry Landswww.harvestingrainwater.com/
EPA Water Sensewww.epa.gov/watersense/
H2Ousewww.h2ouse.org/
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Associationwww.arcsa.org
