Rainwater Barrel

Rainwater barrels collect storm water that drains from a roof. They can attach directly to a downspout or sit below one to fill with every rainfall.

Ready made rainwater barrels can be purchased or you can build your own using a food-grade plastic barrel and a few pieces of hardware. You can also find vintage wooden barrels for a beautiful look.

Water collected in a rain barrel can be used for lawn, garden, and washing things outside, allowing you to conserve treated water supplied by the city or from a well. By capturing rainwater, you can also reduce runoff and soil erosion, especially in urban areas. In more ambitious projects, rainwater is even suitable for flushing toilets, though this requires extra plumbing work to install.