Make a Rain Barrel

Download pdf version

Introduction

There are 101 ways to build a rain barrel. You get the water in, you get the water out, and always plan for overflow. This booklet is intended to help you make design decisions, whether you are building your own, or buying a ready-made rain barrel.

If your mind says, “just tell me what to do!”, have a look at the material that follows, and pick from one of the designs that will later be offered in our gallery of designs.

If your mind says “I can do this better!” have a look at the material offered and tell us with you come up with.

While it is easy to become concerned with the details of rain barrel design, do not forget the bigger picture. A rain barrel is best used as an integrated part of a larger approach to keeping all of your water onsite. Always allow for infiltration. Recognize that there is a direct relationship between water and energy. It takes energy to treat and move water. It takes water to produce energy.

We won’t cover all that here…but stay tuned.

Recommended reading: Rainwater Harvesting for the Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1, by Brad Lancaster.

Thanks for reading, and check by often, as there will be additions along the way. We would love your feedback and welcome questions or comments.

If you’d like to share your design, we would gladly add it to the Rain Barrel Gallery.

Warmly,

Alabama Rain Catchers