UGA Cooperative Extension

Rain Barrel Water: Oh So Sweet!

By Palmer Haffner
Forsyth County Master Gardener

This is has been a difficult watering year for everyone to say the least.  While getting a haircut my barber and I were discussing how we were trying to keep everything alive during the hot spells.  He indicated that he used a plastic 55-gallon barrel to collect rainwater.  He suggested that I check a local car wash for free plastic barrels that could be converted to rain barrels.  With luck I have been able to collect a number of barrels and have set them up under my deck and have collected over 600 gallons of rainwater to date.  The excess barrels I have been able to collect have been share with friends and other Master Gardeners.

As with everything there is a good and not so good side.  The good side is the rainwater is free and can be much better than the purchased water that may have added chemicals for human consumption.  The not so good side is the frequency of the rain (not often enough) and distribution of the collected water is manual-bucket by bucket and by utility cart.  I am looking at a transfer pump from Little Giant Pumps that may provide some relief from the bucket system currently in use.

Jim and Sharon O’Kelley were kind enough to share their plans for rainwater barrels and with my first acquisition I went to work.  Following is a picture of my rain barrel farm, or as my wife likes to call it “The Still”. 

One key factor you need to consider when setting up your rain barrels is the number of roof top square feet you will be collecting from.  One inch of rain collected from 1,000 square feet will produce 600 gallons of water.  As you can see I added additional barrels because of the volume being produced from one of my down spouts and have incorporated an overflow hose to accommodate larger rainfalls that have occurred since I took this picture.  To counteract any water pressure buildup due to heavy rains, I would suggest incorporating a 3” PVC overflow hole somewhere near the top of your barrel.  Additionally once or twice a month two teaspoons of bleach will keep down the algae accumulation and growth of any harmful bacteria.

While there is work involved the rewards more than pay for themselves.  Yes, and one day we will not be experiencing a drought but the cost and benefit of rain water will always be there for us to enjoy. 

October 2007