Step by step instruction on how to make the cheapest and easiest rain barrel.
You’ll be able to find a food-grade barrel in your area and make one of these for very cheaply. The parts are available at hardware and irrigation stores. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your rain barrel:
Step 1: Buy a food grade barrel, water tank or container.
Step 2: Modify the lid so water can be diverted into the barrel. Include filter, like window screen.
Step 3: Drill a 3/4″ hole near the bottom with a spade bit.
Step 4: Thread a 1/2″ sediment faucet into the barrel. Don’t overtighten.
Step 5: Install an overflow.
Step 6: Add rain water.
Rainbarrels are perfect for urban survival, since water would be THE most challenging resource in a time of crisis. They’re also great for gardens and lawns (though you can’t eat a lawn). Plants prefer harvested rain water over cold, chlorinated hose water. Save money and grow more food by collecting nature’s bounty.
It’s not uncommon for one of these barrels to fill in under 15 minutes. I’ve got four on one downspout and they all fill in a “good” rain. The best way I’ve found to connect them is at the bottom, with additional taps. That way they all fill at the same rate and can all be drained from one outlet.
Some people have used harvested rain water for: solar showers, flushing toilets, power washers, drinking and cooking, drip irrigation, gardens, green houses (greenhouses), orchards, livestock (cows, horses, goats, pigs), ponds, hot tubs, pools, washing cars, compost tea, and more.
Source: Youtube (envirosponsible)
Rain barrels or rainwater tanks, as they are better known as in South Africa, are a great way of saving water and money by harvesting your own free rainwater. The above video shows that a rainwater harvesting system need not be complex nor expensive. However, considering that a small rain barrel can overflow within minutes during a heavy downpour, it would be advisable to obtain bigger water tanks (the size of the water tank or water tanks should be governed by your rainfall and the size of your roof). A 5000 litre water tank may be suitable for a relatively small roof while a number of 5000 litre water tanks or some 10000 litre water tanks installed in series would be better suited to a larger residence, hotel or warehouse. Click on the links below to view the various water tanks and water tank stands available from JoJo Tanks in South Africa.
JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands. See JoJo Tanks VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS (transporter tanks), STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS. Also see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.
JoJo’s superior polyethylene plastic water tanks and steel water tank stands make JoJo Tanks the leaders in plastic water tank technology and the quality, affordability and guarantee on these water tanks make JoJo products the best choice in South Africa. JoJo’s water tanks and chemical tanks come standard with a number of features that are often lacking on cheaper/inferior plastic tanks made by other companies in South Africa.
We are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in South Africa and dispatch orders directly from JoJo Tank depots to save on transport costs. Full range of JoJo Tanks products and JoJo water tanks for sale. CONTACT US for a quote on the right JoJo water tank or other JoJo product for you. Special discounts are available on multiple orders of chemical tanks and water tanks and to our commercial and government customers.
SPECIAL ON MULTIPLE ORDERS OF 10000 LITRE JOJO WATER TANKS…CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTE!
(15000 litre and 20000 litre JoJo vertical water tanks also available on order)