Rain Barrel Water Collection Tanks

A Rainwater Tank is a Great Way to Collect and Store Water Runoff from Roofs

By Mark J. Donovan




Your home’s roof sheds an incredible amount of water during a rain storm. For example, 2,000 square feet of roof surface can shed nearly 1,200 gallons of water with just an inch of rainfall. If you live in a dry climate the rainwater collected from a roof can be as precious as gold. Consequently in many parts of the world rain barrels, a.k.a. rainwater tanks, or cisterns are commonly used to collect roof run off. Rain barrel water collection tanks are commonly used for providing supplemental water for gardening, flushing toilets and for cleaning vehicles.

However, with proper filtration they can also be used for supplemental potable water. Cisterns are large tanks that are located either under the home or near the home and can hold thousands of gallons of water collected from a home’s roof.

Rain barrel water collection tanks also help to prevent erosion around the home’s perimeter. Roof runoff can quickly cut deep ruts in the soil and damage landscaping underneath the roof eaves if gutters are not installed.

In addition, rain barrels can prevent basement flooding by preventing roof runoff from penetrating down the home’s foundation walls and into the basement. Rain barrels also prevent water runoff from over taxing public drain and sewer systems.

Rain barrels which are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, are often placed underneath roof eaves and centered under gutter down spouts. This enables the roof runoff to be easily collected and stored without requiring a lot of excavation and piping. Rain barrel costs can vary widely depending upon their size and the material they are constructed out of.

This said, rainwater tanks, or rain barrels, are a onetime investment and are fairly inexpensive when their cost is compared to the cost of buying additional water from your home on a recurring basis.

Also, you don’t need to necessarily go out and buy the latest rainwater tank technology to serve as a rain barrel water collection tank. For example, old wine or whiskey aging barrels are perfect for functioning as a rain barrel, not to mention they provide some unique personal charm. The most common size rain barrels have a storage capacity of 50 to 60 gallons.

One word of caution, however, when deciding upon setting up a rain barrel on your property. They can be mosquito breeding grounds. Consequently it is wise to have them tightly covered. Often rain barrels have covers that fit tightly over them with only a small opening for the downspout to slip into.

To distribute the water in a rain barrel a small pump can be installed in it so that water can be pumped from it to your garden, or wherever you need water around the home, via a garden hose.


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