How to Convert a 50-Gallon Drum to a Rain Barrel

As the summer draws on every year and residents look at their increasing water bills, many people try to think of ways to stretch the budget more. A low-cost solution is to take advantage of a free and abundant source of water: rain. By setting up a rain barrel to catch water from the roof, you can have free water with which to rinse tools and water plants. You can make a cheap and easy rain barrel by converting a 50-gallon food service barrel with a few modifications.

Things You'll Need

• 50-gallon drum
• Precision razor cutter
• PVC coupling
• Window screen or mesh screen
• Tin snips
• Two hose clamps
• Drill
• 15/16 bit
• 3/4-inch spigot
• PVC cement
• Flexible hose clamp

Instructions

1. Remove the top of the barrel. Some barrels are open and have a removable lid. If you have a closed-top barrel, you will need to remove the top so you can access the interior of the barrel. Use the precision razor cutter to cut a 1 1/2 to 2 inch top off the barrel.

2. Cut a water entry hole into the barrel. Entry holes are best cut into the lid to maximize water capacity. Depending on the means of conveyance, the hole will need to be shaped appropriately. Measure the diameter and shape of the pipe or gutter that will drain into barrel, mark the area to cut and remove it with the precision razor cutter. Insert an appropriately sized PVC coupling into the entry hole.

3. Install a filter to keep your rain barrel clean. Because of the most frequent uses of stored rainwater, such as watering garden plants, you only need a cursory filtration system. A window-screen or small mesh sheet will work effectively to catch leaves, insects and other debris. Cut a circle of mesh with the tin snips about 1 inch larger in diameter than the PVC coupling and secure it on the bottom of the coupling with a hose clamp.

4. Add a spigot to the rainwater barrel for easy access to the rainwater. Drill a 15/16-inch hole about 3 or 4 inches up from the bottom. Screw in the 3/4-inch spigot about halfway into the new hole, checking the threading for a straight install. Apply PVC cement to the exposed threading generously and continue screwing it in until it is tight and secure.

5. Connect the downspout from the gutter to your rain barrel. You can adapt the existing gutter by removing sections as needed and bending it so that the water falls through the PVC coupling filter and into the rain barrel. Alternately, connect a flexible downspout extender to the downspout and attach it to the filter with a hose clamp.

Tips & Warnings

• You can install multiple barrels and connect them with PVC pipe to create a continuous collection system. Place the barrel on a concrete platform. The increased height will give better water pressure and room for a watering can under the spigot.

• Never connect a rain collection system to the house water supply. Algae and other organisms that grow in the rainwater can be harmful to people.

References

• Rain Barrels Guide
• South West Florida Water Management District

Resources

• Rainwatersolutions.com