How to Build a Simple Rain Water Collection System

These days, water conservation is a big thing. We are all encouraged to limit use, and many appliances and fixtures in our homes are designed to minimize wasted water as well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Building with gutters and downspouts.
• Also as noted in text.

1. The need:
   It is no secret that water is a limited resource here on earth. For generations, we have been using water for everything from generating power to heating or cooling our homes and businesses, to carry our pollution from our manufacturing processes, and more.
2. Some background:
   Many people in earlier times and even today in some cultures, have collected rain water for a variety of purposes. Pioneers to new lands were very conservative, and collected rain water for intermediate plant watering, or even for cattle and other animals. In fact, in earlier days, when air pollution was not as serious, settlers probably used rain water for human consumption as well. Today, I'd be a bit suspicious about the quality of rain water; we know acid-rain is a concern, and probably lots of pollutants are carried in today's rain.
3. Simple collection system you can build:
   All you need is a couple of plastic containers (for example, new rubbish or similar type containers will work); some pvc tubing; some pvc valves, pvc cement, a few boards to build some stands; some downspout fittings; a razor knife or jig-saw; and a few other items.
4. Be sure your stands accommodate your bucket height. To begin:
   In order to be able to drain your rain barrels into buckets to make use of the water, you will need a stand for each one you intend to set up. The stands can be made from pressure-treated lumber, or other suitably strong material, and need to be sized for the container you chose. Height should be about the height of the buckets you intend to use under the drain spigot.
5. Modify your containers:
   Two things need to be done to your containers. First, you need to cut holes in the cover where the downspout will line up to. If you prefer, you may skip this step until after step 6, where your downspouts will be modified and you will know just where to cut the hole. Otherwise, you need to make some measurements or calculated guesses.
   
   Also, you will need to install the drain valves in your containers. This can be somewhat tricky, since the container wall is fairly thin, and you need something solid to attach to. One way to ensure leak-free installation is to use a bulkhead fitting, which tightens up against the inside and outside of the container wall, leaving a threaded male connection for installing your pvc thread-to-socket adaptor, your pvc ball valve, and pvc nipple and 90 degree elbow down toward the bucket location.
   
   You might also want to cut a couple of narrow slots near the top of the containers, for overflow release.
6. Modify your downspouts:
   Your downspouts will need to be trimmed shorter, to accommodate the height of your container on its stand.
   Use a hacksaw to cut the downspout. You will need a couple of proper sized downspout elbows, to bring the spout away from the house and into the container.
7. Setup:
   Place your stands and level as necessary. Put your modified containers upon the stands, with spigot facing to wherever you plan to set your bucket. Be sure to line up your modified downspouts with the hole in the top of the containers.
8. Do your rain dance!
   OK...now all you need is some rain! After a good rain, your containers will begin to fill up. It might take a few rainstorms to collect enough to use, but it will be worth it, knowing how cleverly you managed to conserve water!

Tips & Warnings

• Placing a cheesecloth or other filter on each downspout will prevent grit, leaves, etc. from getting into your containers. You will need to clean them occasionally, but you'll be glad you did it I think!
• Use your rainwater for watering plants between rainstorms, or for washing vehicles; or even washing your siding, windows, or other parts of your home, with a long handled brush.
• Rainwater might contain substances not suitable for human or animal consumption or immersion. Not recommended for cooking, drinking, or bathing.
• Collected rainwater should be drained from collection containers within seven days, to help prevent stagnation and the possibility of mosquito breeding. Thanks to Meri for this updated tip.