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Let's continue with some ideas that may be helpful in putting together a very simple rainwater system using rainbarrels.

Multiple Barrels for Additional Capacity

Keep in mind that most homes typically have at least 1 downspout (or more) on each side depending on the home design. A single 50-60 gallon (190-225 liter) is effective for light irrigation but often is insufficient for larger gardens or homes with extensive plant life. The addition of more barrels, however, is a relatively straight forward task. One approach that is often taken is to locate a rain barrel under each downspout. This may also be desirable if you have more than one garden, or plants that require watering on opposite sides of the house. If you don't have multiple downspouts you can join multiple barrels together such that they fill simultaneously (connected by hose at the bottom) or so that one overflows into the next and so on.

Make sure your rainbarrel is also positioned appropriately so that you can fill your watering can from the spigot or attach a short hose to the spigot which will allow for filling of watering cans if you are unable to get the can underneath the spigot.

One of the most basic and common forms of rainwater harvesting is the Rain Barrel. All over North America ever increasing water demands are putting more and more stress on our water systems. In the summer months the additional demand for water due to irrigation and other outdoor uses is pushing some water treatment facilities, and ground water sources, to their limits.

One very simple, yet effective approach to helping reduce the demand for water is to use a rain barrel. Rain barrels can eliminate the need to use municipal water to maintain a healthy and flourishing garden. Many people invest a significant amount of money and time into shrubs, plants, flowers, vegetables, trees etc. around their homes. Each may have a different purpose (i.e. food, visual appeal, privacy etc.) but to the homeowner they are important parts of their home and lifestyle. By using rain barrels to collect rainwater for irrigation these plants, in most cases, can be sustained with little or no potable water demand depending on the rainfall patterns in your area.

This isn't some new technology or a complicated system. Our parents, grandparents and past civilizations used rainwater. A rainbarrel is a great way to start learning about rainwater harvesting and learning how you can reduce your water demand.

Well, it looks like spring is coming fast (thank goodness) so it's time to start thinking about bringing out your rainbarrels and seasonal rainwater collection systems and getting them ready to start collecting rainwater again.

Spring is such a beautiful time of the year for those of us who live in a region where we have just experienced months of cold and snow.  To see life beginning to bloom and grow, and to see the color change from brown to green, red, yellow and whatever other colors you have around your home and community is just amazing.   It's also a great time to start collecting rainwater and getting your rainwater collection system setup and ready for the spring/summer seasons.  Even though it may typically rain more in the spring than it does in the mid summer months we can get dry spells during spring as well.  It's important to help newly growing plants and existing plants and grasses to establish/re-establish  strong and deep root growth to help them further withstand the intense heat and drought that may lie ahead in the summer. 

Even during hot dry summers your rainwater harvesting system may make the difference for your plants, shrubs, fruits, vegetables or grass.  Depending on the amount of storage your system is capable of your rainwater system can help your vegitation through those hot dry spells which occur between rainfall events.  If you are looking at new plants for your garden it's also a good idea talk to an expert about plant species that are more native to your climate and that can withstand the heat, sun and dryness that may be ahead this summer.  There are some dry spells that will outlast your rainwater collection capacity and having selected native plants species will be helpful in ensuring your plants make it to the next rainfall if you run out of rainwater in you rainwater harvesting system.

One question that is asked quite often is in regard to above ground rainwater systems vs. below ground rainwater systems. As a result of the number of inquiries we have had on this topic it seemed appropriate to discuss some of the situations or considerations associated with the 2 different types of systems. It certainly isn't about one being better than the other, they just have different points that should be looked at when trying to make the decision of why to choose one system or the another.

There are a few points we will discuss in this regard to try and give you some insight into a comparison of the 2 types of systems. We are definitely not going to touch on all the considerations necessary when looking at the 2 types of systems but let's at least look at a few for starters.

Climate

One key factor in choosing a rainwater system is the climate in the area in which you live. For those located in more southern areas where temperatures seldom, or never, reach 0 degrees Celsius (32F) an above ground system can operate all year round. However, many people live in areas where for many months during the year an above ground system would be at risk of freezing. Any connections to/from the system could freeze, the pump system could freeze, and the water stored within the tank could freeze. This is obviously an issue as freezing water can cause significant damage to equipment. If you use, or want to use your rainwater system for applications that require year round operation then making sure your system is appropriately protected from colder temperatures. Buried tanks are installed below the frost line to avoid freezing in colder climates.

One of the most basic forms of rainwater harvesting is the Rain Barrel.  In Southern Ontario, ever increasing water demands due to explosive population and industrial growth are putting more and more stress on our water systems.  In the summer months the additional demand for water due to irrigation and other outdoor uses is pushing some water treatment facilities, and ground water sources, to their limits.  This is apparent when we take a look at how many municipalities issue watering bans and restrictions during the summer months to help reduce the load on our water systems, and our water supplies.

One very simple approach to helping reduce the demand on our systems, and draw on ground water sources, is to use a rain barrel.  One of the simplest forms of rainwater harvesting, rain barrels can eliminate the need for any municipal water to maintain a healthy and flourishing garden.   Many people invest a significant amount of money and time in shrubs, plants, flowers and vegetables around their home.  Each may have a different purpose (i.e. food, visual appeal, privacy etc.) but to the homeowner, each is important.  By using a rain barrel (or multiple barrels) you can sustain all of these plants, or at least significantly reduce your potable water use depending on the rainfall in your area. Rain barrels are also a very low cost appraoch to getting introduced to rainwater harvesting and helping to create awareness of it's benefits.

How Much Water Can I Collect? 

Let's take a look at this for a minute.  Although it may not rain everyday, or even every week when we go through a dry spell, you might be surprised by how much water can be captured from your roof during a short, but good rainfall.  The basic formula is tha for every 1 inch of rainfall you can collect about 620 Gallons or 2250 Liters from a 1000sqft roof surface.

Rainwater harvesting and storage is not really a new concept or technology. There is evidence of rainwater collection systems that date back as far as 1000-2000 BC.  Although a very effective and relatively simple system for capturing and storing water, rainwater cisterns lost momentum in favour of centralized systems like we have today in our local municipalities and cities.  There are, I'm sure, many reason that rainwater harvesting lost popularity in certain areas. One reason could be increased urbanization, and demands on water supply by growing industry.  In addition, a focus on dams and groundwater sources as well as the convenience of piped water and centralized treatment may have taken away from some of the focus on rainwater harvesting.  Nobody is saying these things are bad but they, and many other factors  may have reduced the perceived need for and/or benefit of rainwater harvesting in certain areas of the world.  However, it would seem that once again we are realizing the value of systems used in the past as we begin to understand the impact of urbanization and a "never run out" mentality.  With the cost of maintaining aging water distribution systems, population explosion, as well as the need for conservation and management of storm water, rainwater harvesting is getting a lot of attention again. 

Rainwater collection and storage systems have been found in many places such as the island of Crete at the Palace of Knossos (approx. 1700BC).  The embedded picture shows and example of a water run-off channel which would channel rainwater. The ancient Romans were also masters in rainwater harvesting and in the construction of reservoirs.  Homes would have an atrium with uncovered catchment areas (pools) for collection of domestic water.  Later, as water demands increased covered cisterns were constructed to gather excess water that could not be stored in these shallow reservoirs and to further protect the water from contamination. 

One of the largest cisterns in the world is the Yerebatan Sarayi which is located on the European side of Instanbul Turkey,  constructed under Caesar Justinian (527-565 AD).  This cistern measures approximately 140 x 70 meters and can store around 80,000m³ (80 million liters).  The cistern ceiling is 8 meters high and is supported by 336 pillars with Corinthian capitals.  Yerebatan Sarayı means Sunken Cistern, but it is also called Yerebatan Sarnıçı, which means Sunken Palace. It is also often known as the Basilica Cistern.  As a quick point of interest this location was used in the James Bond movie, From Russia With Love.  See picture below.