Rain Barrels come in a number of sizes but the 50 to 80-gallon sizes are popular. It is also common for folks to install more than one. Barrels are important vessels that help minimize our dependency on municipal water, reduce the impact on storm drains, and help save you money in the process.

In most cases, an individual’s home obtains water from the same source. Humans constantly flush drinkable water down the toilet (in addition to using it for other things, both inside and outside). That is a big deal when you realize that only 1% of the water on the planet is drinkable.

Your water and your money can evaporate quickly when you water your lawn or garden. As much as 20% of water is lost through evaporation when doing these activities. So, why not let Mother Nature do the watering for you. I am talking about soft water that plants just love to drink up. Yum.

How much rain can you capture? Lots.
1/4 inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of usable roof = around 150 gallons.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money to capture rain. In most cases, you don’t need a permit either. A decent Rain Barrel can cost you anywhere from $80-125. You also may want to prepare yourself for some minor installation and the cost of additional materials that can run you $5-$20 each depending on your needs (i.e., additional gutters, rain diverter, overflow kit, etc). Some folks see their return-on-investment in only a few months.

Still not ready to pour out the cash for this do-it-yourself project? I have had small success arranging a few 5-gallon buckets near my downspouts and collected enough water to give my plantings a decent drink a few days later. Tip: if you do this, be sure to use the water within a few days to prevent a mosquito hatch.