Utilizing Downspout Rain Water

[Durgan]

http://tiegi.notlong.com/ 26 June 2008 Rainwater Delivery System. Improved.
Putting water in whe wheelbarrel had its problems; in that wave action caued spillage. The tub limits wave action, and the wheelbarrel can be pushed at a normal pace. This system is convenient for moving water from the rainbarrels to the area required.

[Durgan]

Consolidated information, due to some links failing.
26 June 2008 Utilizing Downspout Rain Water

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WRYEY 6 June 2008. Utilizing Eaves Trough Water.

Today a tank was installed to utilize some of the eaves trough rain water. This method is a practical approach utilizing material readily available, and making the installation as simple as possible. Total time including purchasing the necessary supplies was seven hours. The 45 gallon drum cost $10.00 readily available from various local recycling companies. The 3/4 inch NPT tap valve, a boiler drain valve, cost $9.96. The fence posts cost $8.67 each for a total of $34.68. Two eaves elbows (2) cost $3.94 Galvanized cable cost $4.42 Clamps cost $3.54 Miscellaneous cost $3.00. Total cost. $69.54

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?PEKMC 8 June 2008 Rain Barrel Project Completed.
The down spout was modified for Winter use, when the barrel will be disconnected due to freezing.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?SVGTC 8 June 2008 Overflow during rainstorm.
The overflow works well. It was raining rather hard at the time the picture was taken.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LTEZR 10 June 2008 Another barrel added for extra capacity.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?EMYAL 13 June 2008 Two more rain water tanks installed.
Two more rainbarrels were added to the other side of the house. This will give a total capacity of 180 gallons, and more barrels of 45 gallons can be added easily, depending upon the usage. This is a "closed" system. No bugs can enter the tanks, so screening is not necessary. The bungs are only open during rainfall, and to allow air to enter when removing water from the tanks. Notice the modifications to the downspout. Cut off 8 inches of the downpipe and insert a flexible plastic coupling for Winter use, and an elbow running off to the rain barrel. Insert some straps to support the downspout if the existing ones are considered insufficient. This method is 100% leakproof.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?VXDIS 16 June 2008 Installing immersion pump to dispense rainfall water. The plastic barrel is filled by gravity from the two top barrels. The pump pressure is almost the same as city water pressure, so I added a garden hose for dispensing water to the flower beds. The pump float automatically switches the system off when the water is too low in the barrel. Basically the system is still an enclosed reservoir, so no bug screening is required. This is probably not necessary, since dipping out of the upright barrel is easy enough.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YMOXC 21 June 2008 Practical Rainwater Collection System Construction Details. Pictures are annotated.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?HBRPA 24 June 2008 Downspout Crimping Tool.
A downspout crimping tool was received today (Internet) , after I have completed the rainbarrel project. this tool is almost essential when dealing with downspouts, since often connections must be made with pipes of the same size to insure the water flows inside the pipes. Without the tool connections are difficult. Don't attempt the project with out it to reduce frustration.

http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?WKKAS 26 June 2008 Rainwater Delivery System. Putting water in a wheelbarrow has its problems; in that wave action causes spillage. The tub limits wave action, and the wheelbarrow can be pushed at a normal pace. This system is convenient for moving water from the rainbarrels to the area required

[Backyard Gardiner]

Check out this rain barrel installation video @ Gardening Life magazine!

http://www.gardeninglife.ca/video/RainBarrel/

[Durgan]

Check out this rain barrel installation video @ Gardening Life magazine!

http://www.gardeninglife.ca/video/RainBarrel/

Doing an installation that way is trouble. The overflow is totally inadequate. During rainfall the barrel will overflow and make a mess. It is pretty though, but impractical.

[Northpine]

I agree with Durgan. I have a 3 barrel system and even though my overflow pipes are much larger than the one shown in Gardening Life, I still have problems during a torrential downpour.
Here's a picture of my setup. The water just pours in from the downspout, and overflows into the next barrel. Each one is slightly lower. You can see the hoses connecting them. The third barrel has a long hose several feet long to drain away excess water.
I have a sump pump that sits in the barrel and connects to a hose. It isn't a perfect system, but it sure beats hauling containers of water around.

[Durgan]

[size=150][b]I agree with Durgan. I have a 3 barrel system and even though my overflow pipes are much larger than the one shown in Gardening Life, I still have problems during a torrential downpour.

No system is perfect, but you have done a reasonable job.

It would be nice if fittings were readily available for the three or five inch cheap plastic hose.

A cheap downspout diverter would also be nice to have for the market. I just may work on making one. There is one on the Internet that it too expensive. It would be nice to divert the water to the drain, when the barrels are full, since making an adequate overflow is almost impossible.

I know one person, who had a 30 barrel system similar to yours.

I didn't use my system much this year, due to having sufficient rainfall, but I like to use the water periodically for the odd plant.

I have put the system into Winter mode by direct connecting the pipes again.

[Northpine]

Durgan, My DH rigged up this set up for me years ago. And I really appreciate it. However, I can't seem to interest him in tackling my downspout/overflow issues. At present, I just attach an extension pipe and bypass the whole system during a heavy downpour.
Another weakness in the whole system is that I have to turn the barrels upside down during the winter to prevent water from freezing in them. Those barrels are really heavy!

[Durgan]

Durgan, My DH rigged up this set up for me years ago. And I really appreciate it. However, I can't seem to interest him in tackling my downspout/overflow issues. At present, I just attach an extension pipe and bypass the whole system during a heavy downpour.
Another weakness in the whole system is that I have to turn the barrels upside down during the winter to prevent water from freezing in them. Those barrels are really heavy!

Winter is a real problem with freezing water. There is little we can do about it. That is probably one reason why saving water is so seldom used in most parts of North America.

My system makes draining the barrels relatively easy, and the large bung hole is a reasonable overflow-not perfect but reasonable. Of course with a very heavy rainfall nothing will be adequate.

[Trailblaze1]

Ingenious!...and very tidy-looking, durgan. It's great to see many people retrieving water where we can.

I only have two barrels to collect roof runoff, but really rely on them in times of no rain, or low pond water.

I enjoyed this post very much.