When we didn't have our well to water our plants, we've left the wheelbarrows to sit upright and left some of the 5 gallon buckets out next to the barn and shed. Even after we got the well, before we moved in I only had to go a few times to fill up the buckets.
That's because all other times, I used rainwater!
We really wanted to see how it would work and how much water we could reclaim.
We are amazed at how much we collect! This is one of the wheelbarrows after a rain (and I had already dipped in a bucket for some water)...
These three 5-gallon buckets were full up to the top (I had already used some of one bucket before I thought to take photos). Fifteen gallons of water here just ready to use. Now this is just to water the plants we had temporarily put behind the barn until we were out here and could use the hose.
But what that did was make us realize that we should really look into reclaiming/harvesting rainwater.
Now that we have our gutters, it should be easier to adapt something for use. Doing some research now!
I only have rainwater collection for all my water and while I have a 1500 gal container for household water I like the 300ish gal IBC totes for everything else. Connecting hoses to some them can be interesting because they're not standard house plumbing sizes. I find mine on Craigslist and get the food product ones. They're light enough that 2 can be carried in a small pickup with the tailgate down!
ReplyDeleteHeatherE
What a good idea
ReplyDeleteAlmost everyone used to collect rain water. My granny always collected it to wash her hair in, I remember a lot of ladies only washed there in rainwater.
ReplyDeleteHi Guys, Fiona here. Our property has no town water, we rely on a creek that sometimes runs at the back of our property and rain water tanks. We have 3 x 25,000 litre tanks that collect the water off the roof and 1 x 25,000 litre tank that collects creek water. Even in our cities some people opt for (obviously much smaller) water tanks for water collection. We have neighbours that have buried 125,000 litre water tanks with structures like a gazebo, etc, built on top. It's such a valuable commodity to collect. I'm sure you will find something fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI have been looking at getting rain barrels for the four corner downspouts at our house.
ReplyDeleteWe have 3-100 gal. black tanks that we got at tractor supply; 2 connected to the house gutters and 1 tank coming off my plant shed. We receive A lot of water that comes off the roofs. Been very blessed by mother nature in the rainfall that we receive. During freezing temperatures we do cover the faucets with faucet covers.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderfull and blessed weekend
Amazon carries many downspout interrupters. We have the Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System which our neighbor is currently using instead of us I would recommend something like that.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea. Especially since we are prone to droughts. You could also use your two sheds for rainwater collection.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have covers for those buckets otherwise you'll be harvesting mosquitoes.
ReplyDelete