Purchase Or Build Rain Barrels
What Are Rain Barrels
Rain Barrels are used to harvest rain from the roof top. We recommend that the harvested water be used for outdoor purposes only. You might be surprised by the amount of water you collect: one inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of rooftop creates over 600 gallons of water.
Why Should You Install a Rain Barrel
Using a rain barrel can save you some money, give your plants a water they will like more than tap water, and help to slow storm water runoff. You can also save energy used when the water is processed to drinking standards. It is crazy when you think about it – we use drinking quality water in our yards and toilets. Locations where water is scarcer already use gray water when drinking quality water is not necessary.
PURCHASE A RAIN BARREL TODAY
Cumberland River Compact rain barrels are temporarily unavailable. Please check back in June to purchase a rain barrel.
Our rain barrels are 55 gallon, food grade barrels (22” diameter, 39” tall) with over flow valve and spigot both compatible with garden hose connection. Top opening is a semi-circle on the opposite side of the water outlet valves. Design can be changed with a special order. For general information about rain barrel purchasing, installation, or pickup, please send an email to carolyn.wright@cumberlandrivercompact.org.
*Pick up instructions (directions and times) will be emailed after you make your purchase. The pick up location is in a Metro park in west Nashville.
BUILD YOUR OWN RAIN BARREL
List of Supplies and Building instructions for Rain Barrels:
- 55 gallon barrel- $6.00 from a soda bottling company
- 1/2″ Hose Bib spigot – $7.93 from Home Depot
- Hose adapter ¾”mh x ½” mip (Watts stock # A-663)
- Two lock nuts ½” ips – in plumbing section of Home Depot caulk
- Mesh Screen and screws
- Drill with Forstner bit ¾”
- Jigsaw, drill, 1″ bit
Directions
- Jig saw opening in barrel.
- Drill opening for overflow valve (hose adapter)
- Twist in hose adapter, do it a few time – try to get it flush with barrel
- Secure with nut
- Drill hole for spigot
- Twist in spigot, do it a few time – try to get it flush with barrel
- Secure with nut
- Seal with caulk
- Pilot screw holes in top of barrel for mesh cover
- Cut piece of mesh to cover opening on top
- Attach mesh to top of barrel with screws
To install place under downspout. Take a hack saw and cut gutter 12″ above top of rain barrel. Attach an adapter either elbow shaped metal gutter piece or plastic articulated piece to direct water into barrel.
Tips: when the barrel is full direct water away from your house with a long plastic pipe available at home improvement stores. Also, drop a mosquito dunk in the barrel during the summer months to lessen mosquito problem. Elevating the barrel on a few cinder blocks will help water flow out of the barrel.
Safety Considerations
There is a lively discussion on line about the safety of harvested rain water. We would not recommend using harvested rain water for consumption. Watering plants is the best use and that raises another question. Is it safe to use harvested rain to water plants you will eat? The definitive answer is…it depends! It depends on your roof and what washes off your roof. The potential contaminants are metals that may leach from asphalt shingles. In general, we think it is safe to water your vegetable gardens with harvested rain water. However, the surest answer is to test your harvested rain water. To test your water in Nashville, contact Warner Labs: 615-242-1480.
