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Build Instructions:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Rain...-Installation/

Video of Build


The purpose of a rain barrel is to catch rainwater from a downspout and store it for future use. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that a rain barrel will save most gardeners about 1,300 gallons of water during the hot summer months. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, it saves money and energy. Diverting water from storm drains also decreases the impact of runoff to streams.

This rain barrel shown was provided by a local Community Rain Barrel Program and was funded by a grant through the Chesapeake Bay Trust. To participate in the program, the user had to supply their own platform (at least 2 feet high) and be willing to help raise awareness of the program.

Gallery

Comments

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Heck of a nice rain barrel, and a good looking stand also.
well done!
 

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This is a great idea!

I'd love to do something like this, but have run into lots of roadblocks. Not the least of which, is that a 55-gallon barrel ain't gunna fit in the back of my '68 Mustang…......!
 

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Nice rain barrel and stand. We catch all the rain water from our roofs. We have a 10,000 gallon catchment in the rear of the property…you see, where we live they do not have piped in water so catching from the roof and hauling it in is the only way we have of having water. We pump the water into the house through several filters
 

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Looks nice but I would attach this to the wall somehow to prevent it from being pulled over accidentally. Since it is so high and top heavy this could be pretty dangerous if a kid decided to climb on it our something.

I've got a 50 gallon rain barrel that we made out of a food grade barrel a few years ago. I spray painted it with a stone flex color to make it look nicer (it was bright blue). It only takes about 1/10 inch of rain before it overflows. If I had room for it I would put in a giant tank and use it for all my lawn irrigation.
 

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Pretty nice idea. I'd like to have one right about now, it's raining outside and I'm missing the catch of the day. LOL Is that grant available nationwide or just for your area?
 

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From a safety perspective, you might want to secure that barrel so that it doesn't fall over and injury a small child.

BTW, i really like the video and design.
 

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Nice stand. My city sponsored a "build your own rain barrel" workshop a few years ago in partnership with the local Soil and Water Conservation District - I was one of the first to sign up. It is not as nice as yours, but the local authorities only recommended a 1 foot tall stand (they suggested concrete blocks which is what I used, even made a nice little brick "patio" for the blocks to sit on.). I would be interested in learning why your requirements are a 2 foot tall stand.

My 55 gallon barrel fills up with half inch of rain, and I have not had to use City water for gardens or houseplants since I got it. I did have to change the spout this year after the plastic spigot cracked.

Thanks for posting and spreading the word about rain barrels.
 

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This is a great idea!

I d love to do something like this, but have run into lots of roadblocks. Not the least of which, is that a 55-gallon barrel ain t gunna fit in the back of my 68 Mustang…......!

- Mean_Dean
It wouldn't fit in my car either. The grant people were nice enough to drop it off at my house :)
 

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Nice rain barrel and stand. We catch all the rain water from our roofs. We have a 10,000 gallon catchment in the rear of the property…you see, where we live they do not have piped in water so catching from the roof and hauling it in is the only way we have of having water. We pump the water into the house through several filters

- Hawaiilad
Wow, that's a lot of water. I was wondering where you lived to need that type of supply. I was thinking Alaska - then I saw your signature - very envious :)
 

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Looks nice but I would attach this to the wall somehow to prevent it from being pulled over accidentally. Since it is so high and top heavy this could be pretty dangerous if a kid decided to climb on it our something.

I ve got a 50 gallon rain barrel that we made out of a food grade barrel a few years ago. I spray painted it with a stone flex color to make it look nicer (it was bright blue). It only takes about 1/10 inch of rain before it overflows. If I had room for it I would put in a giant tank and use it for all my lawn irrigation.

- Lazyman
Good idea. I will add that note to the build instructions on instructables. Note that this version has a diverter to prevent overflows.
 

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Pretty nice idea. I d like to have one right about now, it s raining outside and I m missing the catch of the day. LOL Is that grant available nationwide or just for your area?

- artsyfartsy
I live in Maryland and my grant was provided by the Chesapeake Trust. The goal is to reduce runoff to the Bay. I would check with your local EPA to see if anything is available in your area. If not, the barrels with kits only run around $85. The next county over from us is selling them for $30.
 

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From a safety perspective, you might want to secure that barrel so that it doesn t fall over and injury a small child.

BTW, i really like the video and design.

- Fettler
Noted…Thanks!
 

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Good idea. I've been thinking of just using one of those blue plastic barrels (if I can find one cheap) to catch some for my plants also.

Why is the faucet so high off the bottom of the barrel? Looks like you can only get 2/3 of the water out.
 

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Nice stand. My city sponsored a "build your own rain barrel" workshop a few years ago in partnership with the local Soil and Water Conservation District - I was one of the first to sign up. It is not as nice as yours, but the local authorities only recommended a 1 foot tall stand (they suggested concrete blocks which is what I used, even made a nice little brick "patio" for the blocks to sit on.). I would be interested in learning why your requirements are a 2 foot tall stand.

My 55 gallon barrel fills up with half inch of rain, and I have not had to use City water for gardens or houseplants since I got it. I did have to change the spout this year after the plastic spigot cracked.

Thanks for posting and spreading the word about rain barrels.

- leafherder
Thanks. I don't know why 2 feet was required by the county. All you need is enough to get the desired pressure head. I needed 3 feet since the barrel is in a low portion of my yard and I plan to use a drip hose to water some shrubs. Yes, I assume I will only get a few years of use from the spigot.
 

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Good idea. I ve been thinking of just using one of those blue plastic barrels (if I can find one cheap) to catch some for my plants also.

Why is the faucet so high off the bottom of the barrel? Looks like you can only get 2/3 of the water out.

- JoeinGa
I was wondering the same thing. Maybe the water in the bottom keeps the barrel from blowing away.
 
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