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A rain barrel is a container connected to a roof downspout that collects rainwater before it flows into storm drains or nearby streams. The stored water can later be used to water gardens, flower beds, trees, shrubs, and container plants.
Even a modest rain barrel can capture dozens of gallons of water during a single storm, reducing runoff while providing a free source of water for your landscape.
Rain barrels are one of the simplest ways to reduce stormwater runoff from your property. Instead of allowing rainwater from your roof to rush into storm drains and nearby streams, a rain barrel captures it for later use in your landscape. Every barrel helps conserve drinking water, reduces runoff, and keeps more water where nature intended.
Is a Rain Barrel Right for Your Property?
A rain barrel may be a good choice if you have:
✔ You have gutters and downspouts.
✔ You water gardens or flower beds.
✔ You'd like to reduce outdoor water use.
✔ You have space beside a downspout.
✔ You want a simple weekend project..
Most homes with gutters and a nearby planting bed can easily accommodate a rain barrel.
A typical 55-gallon rain barrel can fill during a single moderate rainstorm. Every gallon captured is one less gallon rushing toward local streams and storm drains.
Choose a downspout that drains a large section of roof.
Place the barrel on a sturdy, level base.
Install a screen to keep leaves and mosquitoes out.
Attach an overflow hose away from the foundation.
Use collected water for gardens and landscaping.
Getting Started
Installing a rain barrel is an easy weekend project for most homeowners.
• Elevate the barrel.
• Keep lid tightly screened.
• Direct overflow safely.
• Drain before winter.
• Use water regularly.
• Don't Let mosquitoes breed.
• Allow overflow near foundations.
• Drink collected water.
• Leave water in barrel over winter.
• Use chemically contaminated barrels.
Rain barrels come in many styles and sizes to match your home.
A Wood Whisky Barrel
Decorative Ceramic Style
Modern Slim Barrel
Do It Yourself Barrels
Small Urban Barrel
Native plants develop deep root systems that help absorb water, stabilize soil, and support butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife. Select species suited to both wet and dry conditions, since rain gardens naturally experience both.
Every Rain Barrel Helps the Paunacussing Creek.
Every gallon captured during a storm stays out of storm drains and nearby streams. When many homeowners install rain barrels throughout the watershed, together they reduce flooding, erosion, and pollution while conserving valuable drinking water.
Small actions on many properties create big benefits for the entire watershed.
• Install a rain barrel • Redirect downspouts • Add native plants • Build a rain garden • Share your project with neighbors
Explore These Related Resources:
Native Plants Rain Gardens Downspout Management Healthy Stream Buffers
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