Rain Barrels

What is a rain barrel?

A rain barrel is a simple water collection system. You can collect rain water that would otherwise disperse as run-off. Rain collection is a tenet of sustainability to conserve natural resources and follow the natural cycle.

What are the benefits?

Rain collection barrels provide you with free water. They help the environment by recycling and conserving fresh water. They encourage independence and sustainability: rain barrels are a key tool for living off the grid or survival in emergency situations. They can also protect foundational structures by collecting troublesome run-off.

How do I use one?

Most rain barrels are designed to hook up to a gutter drain spout. All roof run-off is then collected in a large vessel with a spigot. Garden hoses can usually be attached to the spigot for easy watering.

An important consideration is filtration. No water collection vessel should be left exposed to avoid the breeding of mosquitos and other contamination. Hayneedle.com offers designs that attach directly to rain gutter downspouts for an ideal setup.

Many barrels feature attractive details and double as a planter for patio and garden appeal. Most home rain models today are made of plastic or recycled plastic. However, there are ceramic styles, wood barrels, aluminum tanks, and collapsible nylon vessels for easy storage in winter months.

Choose the style that suits your lawn and garden needs, and make a rain barrel your contribution to ecology in your own backyard this year.

Fun fact: Rain barrels are often called “water butts” in the UK. We couldn’t make that up.