Friends of the Rouge
650 Church Street Suite 209, Plymouth, MI 48170
EIN: 38-2672879
734-927-4900

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Rain Barrels 101

Rain Barrels for Your Rouge River

You can help restore clean water to your Rouge River by using rain barrels in your yard, your business, or your organization.

Collecting rainwater can:


Rain Barrel Styles

Rain barrels are available in countless styles and colors, so you can find one that looks great at your home. See below for a few samples, or search online.

Recycled food-grade containers are the best value and the lowest environmental impact
Wooden rain barrels have a rustic style. Make sure barrel is not just decorative, but designed to store water
Manufactured plastic barrels are available in many styles and colors. Recycled plastic is the best ecological choice

Explore Options

How Much Can You Save On Your Water Bill?

Between $5 and $20 per year on average – up to $150 or more!

  • Water and sewer costs vary by community, but 50¢ per 50 gallons is a good average. Reduce your water bill by using free water from your rain barrel!
  • LAWN SPRINKLERS: Do you ever forget to turn off your water sprinkler? If so, your rain barrel could save you hundreds of dollars over a season. Spot watering with a 50 gallon rain barrel could replace 1,000 gallons or more of “forgetful” broadcast water usage per watering session.
  • Lawn sprinklers also waste water by evaporation into the air. Hand watering from your rain barrel puts the water right where you need it, saving more water.
  • Using your collected rain to water lawns, outdoor potted plants, and food gardens (see food safety notes at the bottom) is a great way to save on your water bill.

Where to Put Your Rain Barrel

It is best to locate your rain barrel:

  • Where you will be able to use your free water (close to your potted plants or flower garden)
  • Where you have a water problem to solve (a little flooding or puddles)
  • Where it will look great!

How to Water With a Rain Barrel

GARDEN HOSES: If your plants are downhill from your barrel, a hose can work great! Put your barrel on a pedestal to increase the water pressure so you can water more distant plants.

BUCKETS: Fill 5-gallon buckets or watering cans with rainwater.

SOAKER HOSES or FLAT SPRINKLER HOSES: These hoses may not work well with rain barrels because they might need higher water pressure. If your target garden is downhill from your rain barrel, experiment to see if they will work for you!

Raise your rain barrel on a stand to make it easier to fill a watering can or a 5-gallon bucket

Rain Barrels 101

Designing Your Downspouts to Help the River

Downspouts that drain to the driveway are the single most preventable cause of flooding! Redirect the water into your grass (BETTER), or to a rain barrel that overflows to your grass (BETTER++)
The BEST option is for your rain barrel to overflow to a rain garden. A rain garden is the gold standard for home water management. Photo by Green Ventures

Rain Barrel Installation Tips

To make sure your rain barrel helps reduce flooding AND benefits the river, remember to use up the rain water between storms. Don’t think you can use the water quickly enough? PRO TIP: Open the spigot slightly so that the barrel drains dry over 3-4 days. In this way, your barrel acts like a detention basin.

How to install a rain barrel with a rainwater diverter kit
A handy comparison of different types of rainwater diverters

There are different installation methods, depending on your barrel type and home conditions. Here are a few general principles to consider.

  • The water has to reach the barrel. Place the barrel next to a rain gutter downspouts.
  • Elevate the barrel. This way, you don’t have to bend so far down to get to the spigot, and your water pressure will increase.
  • Don’t cut your downspout until you’ve elevated the barrel and measured carefully.
  • Plan for overflow. One rain barrel fills up quickly in a storm. Make sure you send the overflow water to a second rain barrel or away from your foundation.
  • Plan for winter. Disconnect the barrel for winter so that the barrel doesn’t freeze and crack. Click here for more info on winterizing rain barrels.

Mosquitoes

Make sure your barrel prevents mosquitos from getting to the water.

  • The lid should include mesh known as a “fine insect screen”, with a 0.88mm (.034 inch) mesh size. For standard window insect screen, put on two layers of screen, with one layer offset from the other to block the mosquitoes.
  • Don’t rely on Mosquito Dunks alone. Yes, they work, but will you remember to keep adding them all season long? Instead, make sure your rain barrel keeps mosquitoes out.
Top screens like these do not keep mosquitoes out!

Food Safety: Use of Rainwater on Food Plants

Collected rainwater from a rain barrel is excellent to use on all ornamental plants.

However, there is a low, but potential risk that rainwater may contain heavy metals or pathogens (such as bacteria) that would make the water unsuitable for watering food plants. When rain falls on the roof, it can pick up contaminants. Follow these guidelines when you consider using rainwater on food plants:

  • Water from rain barrels should not be applied to the edible portion of food plants. For example, rainwater should be applied to the soil, not onto lettuce leaves or tomato fruits.
  • Always wash harvested vegetables with drinkable water before eating.
When watering a food garden with captured rainwater, remember to water the ground, not the part you eat.

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