Did you know that the average roof holds 2,271.2 liters of water for every inch of rain? Don't let this water go to waste! You can make a rainwater collection system that is affordable and capable of storing hundreds of liters of water for watering the garden or other things. Read this article to learn how to set up a water storage unit and start collecting rainwater in your home.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Rainwater Barrel Materials
Step 1. Provide one or more water storage barrels
You can buy them online, but you can also buy large used barrels from companies that use these barrels to store food or merchandise for cheap (make sure you wash them well with soap). Rainwater barrels can also be made using a large plastic trash can. Provide a barrel that can hold 114-208 liters of water.
- If you decide to use a barrel, make sure the barrel has never been used to contain oil, pesticides, or other toxic substances. These chemicals are too difficult to clean from the barrel so the risk is quite high.
- If you plan to hold a lot of water, provide 2-3 barrels. You can plug it in so that it becomes part of a water collection system and is able to store more water.
Step 2. Prepare additional equipment to convert the barrel into a rainwater collection system
Additional supplies needed can be purchased at a hardware store or gardening store. Collect the following supplies:
- 1 standard 1-inch (2.5 cm) hose faucet with -inch (2 cm) tubing so you can access water from the rainwater cistern.
- 1 inch (2 cm) x inch (2 cm) coupler
- 1 inch (2 cm) x inch (2 cm) bushing
- 1 inch (2 cm) grooved pipe with 1 inch (2.5 cm) hose adapter
- 1 inch (2 cm) lock nut
- 4 metal washers.
- 1 roll of Teflon groove tape
- 1 tube of silicone putty
- 1 “S”-shaped aluminum downspout elbow, to direct water from the standpipe to your rainwater cistern.
- 1 piece aluminum window covering, to keep leaves, insects, and other objects out of the water.
- 4-6 concrete blocks
Part 2 of 4: Building a Rainwater Barrel Platform
Step 1. Flatten the area next to the standpipe
A standpipe or downspout is a metal or plastic tube that extends from the roof gutter to the ground. You will need to reroute the standpipe to the rainwater barrel. Therefore, you should set up the platform in the area right next to it. Remove all rocks and debris from the area. If the soil is uneven, use a shovel to level the soil in as many areas as the barrels you have.
- If your standpipe leads to a concrete driveway or terrace on an incline, build a level surface by stacking a few low-lying planks of plywood to create a flat platform on which to place the barrels.
- If you have more than one standpipe at home, choose a place to put the jars on the standpipe closest to the garden so you don't have to walk far to use the collected rainwater.
Step 2. Make a small gravel floor layer
In this way, the drainage around the rainwater barrel will be better and the foundation of your house is not exposed to water. Dig a rectangle 15 cm deep in the area that has been leveled to place a rainwater jar, and fill it with small pebbles to a height of 1.5 cm.
Skip this step if the standpipe leads to a concrete driveway, or patio
Step 3. Stack the concrete blocks on top of the gravel floor
Stack it sideways to make a platform high enough to hold rainwater barrels. The platform must be wide and long enough to hold all the rainwater jars at the same height, and sturdy enough not to tip over.
Part 3 of 4: Installing the Overflow Faucet and Valve
Step 1. Make a tap hole on the side of the barrel with a drill
The hole should be high enough to fill the bucket or jug underneath. Make a 2 cm wide hole so that it can hold the tap that has been prepared.
This is the standard size for faucets. If you're using a different sized faucet, make sure you make a hole that's the right size so it fits snugly against the barrel wall
Step 2. Putty around the hole
Leave the putty inside and outside the barrel.
Step 3. Install the faucet
Put the faucet and coupler together. Use Teflon tape to cover the grooved end so it seals tightly and doesn't leak. Place the washer on the grooved end of the coupling and thread it through the hole in the barrel from the outside. Slide another washer on the pipe from the inside. Install the bushings to hold the faucet so it doesn't move.
Follow the user manual to install the type of faucet you have. Maybe, the installation method is different from the explanation above
Step 4. Make the overflow valve
Make a second hole a few inches from the top lip of the barrel. The size of the hole is approximately 2 cm, or the same size as the first hole you made. Put putty around the hole, both inside and outside the barrel. Slide the washer in the groove in the barrel, attach Teflon tape, and screw in the nut to tighten the joint. You can install a garden hose directly on this valve.
- If you have a second jar to use as an overflow jar, make a third hole in the first jar. This third hole should be the same height as the faucet and a few inches to the side. After that, make a 2 cm hole in the second barrel at the same height as the hole drilled in the first barrel. Attach the hose adapter to the holes in the two barrels as described above.
- If you are using a third overflow barrel, the second will need a second hole so it can be connected to the third barrel. Make a second valve on the opposite side of the barrel at the same height. Also make a valve in the third barrel.
Part 4 of 4: Unifying the Rainwater Collection System
Step 1. Connect the standpipe elbow to the standpipe
Find the location of the connection by setting the barrel on the platform next to the standpipe. The standpipe should be close enough to fit the standpipe elbow. Mark the standpipe 2.5 cm below the height of the rainwater barrel. You will need to attach the standpipe elbow to the standpipe so that the water flows directly into the barrel. Cut the marks previously made with a saw. Attach the elbow to the standpipe, and secure the connection with screws. Don't forget to make sure the screws are screwed in tightly.
When you measure and connect the elbow to the standpipe, make sure the end of the elbow is submerged well into the barrel so that all the rainwater will drain into it. Do not let the water pour in from the top of the barrel
Step 2. Connect the barrel with the elbow
If the barrel has a lid, use a saw to make a hole so your elbow can fit through it. Cover the area around the hole with a metal cover.
Step 3. Place the filter over the standpipe
This filter will prevent leaves and other objects from entering the standpipe and clogging your rainwater catchment line.
Step 4. Connect all the additional barrels
If you have more barrels, arrange them on the platform and connect them with hoses and valves.
Tips
- Make sure you check the local environmental regulations regarding collecting rainwater.
- Rainwater should not be drunk, even if it has been filtered or processed. In fact, distilled water without minerals can cause mineral deficiencies if consumed in the long term.
- You can prevent debris from entering the gutter by placing a cover over the gutter or over-the-counter gutter "louvers" to drive debris to the edge of the roof while allowing water to enter the gutter.
- Search the internet for free buckets and drums at classifieds sites (Craigslist')', or check with your local hardware store, car wash, ranch and garden.
- Keep your gutters clean of debris, especially maple tree seeds. This garbage can make even the best filters difficult.
- Plastic standpipe sockets are extremely durable.
- The collected rainwater should not be directly consumed by humans from the tap. However, this is the water that flows into the yard before you install the water collection system. To make the water drinkable, boil the water over very high heat for 1-3 minutes (depending on your altitude) to kill bacteria, parasites and viruses. Once cooled to room temperature, pour the boiled water into a pitcher of filtered water (some popular brands are Brita, Culligan, and Pur) fitted with a new filter. Depending on the pitcher used, most heavy metals, chemicals and other contaminants are reduced to levels that are safe for temporary consumption. You can also use a steam distiller to purify the water so that it can be used for drinking or cooking. Steam distillation purifies water better than filters.
Warning
- The water collected from the roof of the house will also contain chemicals from the roof composition material.
- Do not drink rainwater without being treated first (see above), but this water can be directly used for watering plants, cleaning things, washing, etc.
- Sometimes you may receive 'acid rain'. Rainwater mixed with sulfur compounds from burning coal will form sulfuric acid. This phenomenon occurs globally. The pH level of rainwater increases after the first five minutes of rainfall, and the molarity of acidic water tends to be low.
- Check to see if this is legal in your area. Some cities prohibit storing and storing water for reuse.
