How To Choose A Rain Barrel Rain water is one of our greatest assets, and most under estimated natural resources. It has the potential to cut back our water bills, provide us with water that is cleaner than tap water or ground water and is kinder to the environment.

If you have considered using a rain water harvesting system, one important point to consider is, how are you going to store the collected water?

Choosing a rain barrel is a very important aspect of water harvesting. There are many different types available. They can range from a very cheap bucket to a highly specialized storage unit. You should always buy the best that your budget can afford, and one that best suits your needs.

There are many different systems that can be used when rain harvesting, these can range from a small single barrel or three or four chained together, to one larger unit that can store thousands of liters of water.

The First thing you will need to do is, ask yourself what are the needs of your household? If you just want enough water to irrigate your lawn, then a small container should suffice. If however, you require the day to day needs of your home to be met, you will most likely need a larger more substantial container or a combination of smaller ones.

Whichever type of container you choose, it should always be kept covered . Never use an open container to collect rain water, as this could lead to unwanted contaminants entering your water supply. Most systems should come with a filter or screen to keep out soil, animals , insects, lose leaves and other dirt particles. This does not have to be an expensive item as there are many other commonly used household materials that will suffice as a screen or filter, i.e. sieves, mosquito nets.

Ensuring that your rain barrel is covered will not only keep out any dirt, it should also help to curb the curiosity of any animals or young children. Also standing water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, so keeping your water barrel secure is a vital part of harvesting rain water. Some contamination is however, bound to occur. If you intend on using the water for drinking or cooking then additional filters can be installed or purchased with the barrel. By far the route is simply to purchase a water storage container that comes with a filtration system.

If you live in a cold climate where standing water freezes occasionally, then it is advisable to disconnect your rain barrel during these times or even turn it upside down. This will prevent any water freezing and thawing repeatedly, which can cause damage to your container.

The position of your rain barrel is vital. You should position it where it is unobstructed by trees or other material such as clothes lines or fences. Always place it on level ground as when it nears full capacity it will weigh a lot more and could be easily knocked off balance. Don't place it where in the event of an overflow it could cause water damage to property. A lot of rain barrels have an overflow pipe that can divert water away from your homes foundations or any other area you do not wish damaged.

Finally, because there is a vast range of containers available, you should take your time when deciding which suits your needs. Take measurements of the proposed area before you go to purchase, make sure the container you have chosen will fit. Ensure that the water capacity is adequate to the needs of your home, and enjoy the freedom that supplying your own home with water gives you.