There’s nothing more refreshing than collecting nature’s own rain water and repurposing it for your home, landscape, lawn, or farm. While you should always follow local regulations and laws regarding private rainwater harvesting, there are dozens of ways you can put it into action for your own personal use. Here are several effective, eco-friendly DIY rainwater harvesting systems that you can build this weekend.
1. No Gutter Rain Jug Collection System
Want your water stored in easy to carry water jugs? Try this alternative to traditional rainwater collection with a line of jugs built into a drain barrel. This option is best for people who have defined gouges in their roof, without gutters, so that the water pours straight into the wooden “trench.” Once your jugs are full, they’re easy to disconnect and transport.
2. Convenient Downspout Attachment for Rainwater Harvesting
With this attachment, you can pipe your rainwater barrel directly into the downspout of your gutter system. Plus, the protective back flow design means the water will prevent overfilling and go down your gutter if the collection barrel is already full.
http://101gardening.blogspot.ie/2016/02/the-most-convenient-way-to-fill-your.html
3. Build it Out of a Culvert
Want something more permanent and industrial, instead of a traditional plastic rain barrel? This corrugated metal culvert adds a farm-inspired twist for permanently storing water that comes down from your gutters.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/310115124317388937/
4. Go Underground
If you prefer to have your rainwater barrels stored out of sight and out of mind, go underground. This buried system has a charming water pump to make it easy to access the hundreds of gallons of h2o stored below your soil’s surface.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/609463762042989396/
5. Use a Rain Canopy to Add Surface Area for Water Collection
Need a way to collect water without gutters? These stand-alone rainwater collection systems use pop-out canopies that harvest rain and drain directly into the storage system of your choice. You can buy one to fit just about any size container. Or for a true DIY approach, you can build your own out of a tarp.
http://www.rainsaucers.com/photos.htm
6. Get Technical with a DIY Rainwater Barrel and Hose Hookup
Prefer something a bit more “high tech” when it comes to rainwater collection? This DIY design includes overflow systems with hose hookups so that you can stretch your water as far as a garden hose can; whether it’s filling up the horse trough or watering your garden!
Original: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/226798531208639160/
7. Don’t Forget Your Filtration!
You never know what’s going to wash up in rainwater, especially if a good storm is blowing through. To keep leaves, debris, and who knows what else out of your water storage, be sure to implement a good filtration system at the beginning stages of your collection process.
https://household-tips.thefuntimesguide.com/make_rain_barrel/
