Step 5 - Designing Your Rain Barrel

Now that you have determined the location of your rain barrel you can begin to design it.

The design of any rain barrel is relatively simple, with its basic components consisting of:

● The actual barrel, often made of plastic, and recommended to be at least 55 gallons. Most pre-manufactured barrels average about 60 gallons.
● A sealed yet removable child resistant top to keep potential pests out, but still allow easy access for cleaning. Screens, at the barrel entrance are often included to reduce particulate matter and the potential for mosquitoes.
● Connections to the downspout, runoff pipe, and spigot.

Typical Manufactured Urban Rain Barrel Design with added accessories
(Source: Composters.com, A subsidiary of The Green Culture ®)
 

A number of accessories can be added to the basic barrel design and include:

● Expanded storage volume, by connecting the barrels.
● A water diversion soaker hose, to allow for the slow discharge of water for a needed purpose such as lawn irrigation.
● An automatic overflow so that water will not back up into the system.
● An overflow irrigation design.