RAIN BARRELS A HOMEOWNER S GUIDE The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions, including access to and participation in the District’s programs and activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the District’s Human Resources Director, 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only), ext. 4702; TDD 1-800-231-6103 (FL only); or email [email protected]. VISPT 08-11 NOTES Make your own notations as you build your water storage system: 2 27 CONTACT INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Your county Extension office can provide more information on rain barrels and Introduction . 5 water conservation. For contact information, look under your county s telephone book listing or visit solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/. Benefits of a Rain Barrel . .6 Components of a Rainwater Collection System . 7 For more information on water conservation, contact any of the following agencies: How Much Rainwater Can I Collect? . ..11 . Southwest Florida Rain Barrel Construction . .12 Water Management District 2379 Broad Street Overflows and Multiple Barrels . .17 Brooksville, FL 34604 1-800-423-1476 (FL only) or Uses for Collected Water . .19 (352) 796-7211, ext. 4757 WaterMatters.org Examples of Cisterns and Rain Barrels . .20 Florida House Learning Center Painting Your Rain Barrel . .22 4600 Beneva Road South Sarasota, FL 34233 Frequently Asked Questions . .23 (941) 316-1200 sarasota.extension.ufl.edu Resources . .25 Special thanks to: Contact Information . .26 Hillsborough County Extension Service: Marina D'Abreau, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Coordinator Writing and Photography by Billie Lofland, Senior Television Producer/Director Gerard Watson TR Drum in Plant City, Florida, for the use of their facilities Hillsborough County Water Department Rain barrel artwork done by Cindy Paulhus, Master Gardener Water Conservation Staff Design by Maria Marmol, McShane Communications, Inc. Funding by the Southwest Florida Water Management District 26 3 RESOURCES Rain Barrel Supplies There are companies that sell pre- To find barrels or drums to convert into constructed rain barrels. These pre- rain barrels, look in the Yellow Pages assembled kits come with the inlet and under drums, barrels or containers. At outlet already installed. They will also your local drum supplier, there are carry the necessary tubing for connecting several types of drums and barrels that barrels together. If you cannot find one can easily be converted into a rain barrel. locally, check the Internet for a supplier. Make sure you purchase plastic food- The Internet is also a good resource to grade containers. Local plumbing suppliers find an abundance of information about or home centers will sell all the necessary rainwater harvesting, rain barrels, fittings such as spigots, PVC adapters and cisterns and suppliers. piping to finish the assembly. This barrel supplier has hundreds of barrels in varying sizes available to the public. 4 25 INTRODUCTION Is maintenance required with my available at home centers or pond supply This booklet is designed to educate only simple collection and distribution rain barrel? stores that will prevent mosquitoes from homeowners on harvesting rainwater methods related to landscape watering. If your rain barrel is properly installed, it breeding. The most common product is by using a small rain barrel. Harvesting should require very little maintenance. found in tablet form and contains Bacillus rainwater allows the homeowner to Cisterns and rain barrels have been around Periodic inspection of the tank for cracks thuringiensis, a biological larvicide. Just a supplement other irrigation sources at a for thousands of years and the time has or buildup of debris on the bottom may small amount in the barrel will last 30 days minimal cost. Storing rainwater also aids come for more homeowners to enjoy be all that is needed. Some barrels, or longer. in the reduction of stormwater runoff, their benefits. especially light-colored or clear ones that which can lead to reduced levels of pesticides and fertilizers in stormwater are in direct sunlight, may become brittle Having a ponds, streams, lakes and bays. As the over time. They can be painted to make tight fit where the them last longer. water enters the region continues to have extended barrel will keep periods of below-normal rainfall, having If you have placed a screen in the out mosquitoes. extra water on hand is a good idea. downspout or over the barrel opening, this will require periodic inspection and This booklet focuses only on storing cleaning to ensure a good water flow. Will my rain barrel tip over? rainwater for nonpotable outdoor uses as a supplement to natural rainfall and Water weighs a little over 8 pounds per What about mosquitoes? other sources of irrigation. Rainwater gallon, so a 50-gallon rain barrel will harvesting for potable uses, such as Mosquitoes and other insects are always weigh over 400 pounds when full. If you drinking, cooking and bathing, is possible attracted to standing water. If you have a have small children or pets and are and is done in many parts of this country tight fit where the downspout enters the concerned that the barrel might tip over, and throughout the world. However, barrel, there should be little problems you may want to strap or attach the barrel using rainwater for potable uses requires with mosquitoes getting into the barrel. to a nearby wall or other stable structure filtration, treatment and routine testing Small gaps or holes can be filled with (fence, tree, etc.). Any type of frame can be for safety all topics which are beyond Multiple barrels provide for caulk or covered with window screen. built around the barrel, or straps can be the scope of this text. This booklet covers greater water storage. Also, make sure the guttering is sloped wrapped around or screwed to the barrel properly and free of debris to prevent and then anchored to a wall or other standing water where mosquitoes can stable structure. If the barrel sits on a level breed. If keeping mosquitoes out of the and stable platform, tipping over is not a tank is impossible, there are products problem. 24 5 BENEFITS OF A RAIN BARREL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Rainwater harvesting is always Do I need a permit? If you plan on connecting a pump or beneficial, whether the water is used Check with your county to see if a attaching plumbing or irrigation lines to to water one houseplant or an entire permit is required to install a small rain your rain barrel or cistern, contact your garden. Also, the act of collecting barrel on your property for nonpotable local plumbing or building department. rainwater can be an inspiration to find uses, such as landscape watering. If you A backflow protection device may be other ways to conserve water around the live in an area or subdivision with deed required on the potable water service line home. restrictions, you should review them in these situations. Stored rainwater is not before installing a rain barrel in your potable water and should not be used for When designing a cistern or rain barrel, yard. Some deed restrictions do prohibit drinking, bathing, pets or recreation. you want it to be as large as your them. You can also check your local budget and location will allow. Many plumbing or health codes for guidance. What about water quality? homeowners are making rain barrels out The quality of rainwater shedding off a of 50- to 55-gallon food-grade drums When constructing a large cistern, either roof or gutter system is more than that were used to carry food products, above or below ground, check with your adequate for plants. In fact, it can be such as juices, olives, pickles, etc. local plumbing, building and health beneficial due to the lack of chlorine and Containers or drums under 300 gallons departments to see if a permit or a lower pH level than utility-provided are affordable, readily available at backflow protection device is required or water. As rainwater sheds off a roof or most drum or barrel suppliers and are if there are recommended guidelines. other catchment area, it can carry with it small enough to fit on most residential Rain barrels are one component of this water-efficient landscape. some levels of algae, roofing chemicals or or commercial lots. Important Note: Rain barrels or bird droppings. These are not a concern cisterns should not in any way be for nonpotable uses or occasional contact Although a small rain barrel may not connected to your in-house plumbing. by the homeowner. provide all the water needed to sustain The water savings from using stored This will prevent a cross-connection to your plant material, it can certainly rainwater rather than municipal or your potable water. supplement your current watering well water can be substantial over a schedule. Planter beds, vegetable or period of time. A rain barrel can also flower gardens and potted plants can help reduce the amount of water that easily be irrigated with the water from may settle around the foundation of your a rain barrel. home. 6 23 PAINTING YOUR RAIN BARREL COMPONENTS OF A RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM When it comes to being creative, you re Regardless of what type of paint you only limited by your imagination! choose, it is a good idea to apply one or Whether you install a large concrete Painting your rain barrel is not only fun, two coats of polyurethane to your finished cistern or a small plastic rain barrel, the but it will also help to protect the surface barrel to protect it.