Rain water collection

[sw99]

How many folks here collect rain water? I'm almost finished installing my third 330 gallon tote and my set up should be done. Just curious what methods and set up's others are using? My plan is for watering plants and trees exclusively.

 

[4570Man]

I collect it for watering the garden. I bought a 3,000 gallon tank off a water truck for $250. When scrap was high it would have bought way more than $250. The whole tank is made out of 1/2 steel. That size tank was way overkill, but the price was right.

 

[5030]

Our well water is loaded with minerals so I use eavestrough water for equipment and car washing. I have 2 IBC totes, one at each end of the gutters on each side of my shop. I used the Menards plastic downspout strainers (refitted with stainless mesh screening) to capture the leaves, twigs and other stuff before it enters the totes. I just keep the valves open with a reducer to garden hose size and a length of garden hose attached and use a tarp strap to hold the end about 8" lower than the top of the tote so it don't overflow.

I covered both tote plastic inners with 6 mil black plastic sheeting, I sprayed on 3M hi-tack spray adhesive and covered each tote. I add a bit of bleach every year as well but in 4 years, they have worked excellent as they stand.

In the winter, I just leave the main valves open all the time. never had issue one. Good investment (the totes were free). I never seem to run out of water. If I empty one tote I have the other...700 gallons is more than enough for my uses.

 

[CalG]

Can you believe it!? In some communities the collection of rain water is unlawful! Virginia or MD, IIRC. Something about "natural flow" or some other convolution of common sense. I guess they are concerned about flushing the pollutants off the streets.

 

[Cataclysm]

Just for a fun project for my folks I dropped a 1000 gallon septic tank with an aerobic hatch top in next to the garden and piped in the rain down spouts. Then installed an aerobic pump set in the tank and ran it to a frost free hydrant set next to the tank facing the garden. Its switched with a weather proof switch box mounted on top of the aerobic hatch and as a bonus installed an aerobic system trouble light on the side of the switch box that indicates the system is on.

 

[CalG]

Why all the mention/ concern about "aerobic"? is there an "anaerobic" alternate approach? Pardon my lack of familiarity with the hardware you are describing. I'm used to open stock tanks for rain water storage, complete with frogs ;-)

 

[sw99]

I actually illegal here in CO for the most part also. Unless your rural and on a well the state has the actual rights to the water. Absolutely ridiculous IMOP...

 

[Cataclysm]

Why all the mention/ concern about "aerobic"? is there an "anaerobic" alternate approach? Pardon my lack of familiarity with the hardware you are describing. I'm used to open stock tanks for rain water storage, complete with frogs ;-)

Its just the type of tank system that I used the parts from. FWIW there is anaerobic systems, but again, its just a type of system that I borrowed parts from to make a rainwater collection system.

 

[bamboozled]

I built something similar to this. Then I realized I had twice my yearly municipal water bill in attempting to collect rainwater and ended up dismantling it and giving it to my brother.

The 'water arm' is still installed but its in bypass until I get around to removing it.

Contain Rain - Methods - Contain Rain "Water-Arm"

 

[Wagtail]

Rain water tanks are practically standard here in Aus. It's all I use for myself, 30,000ltr tank plumbed to the house, and I've a separate 5,000ltr tank, to water the horses, that collects from the 5-bay shed.

There's at least 4 different poly-tank companies in Tassie alone.

 

[Deere Dude]

I use a 300 gallon tote on a small trailer catching water from an eve using Menards plastic eve. Also a 180 gallon sitting on a platform on the other side of the barn catching water from the eve. Screens are a must if trees drop leaves in the eves.

I put about 30' of sump pump hose on each tank. When needed I either pull the trailer tank around to water trees or carry the smaller tank around with tractor forks to water trees and bushes. .

 

[JamesHW]

Can you believe it!? In some communities the collection of rain water is unlawful! Virginia or MD, IIRC. Something about "natural flow" or some other convolution of common sense. I guess they are concerned about flushing the pollutants off the streets.

Maybe need a memory check, no regulations in MD or VA. here's an up to date link to a list of where each state stands on water collection: Rainwater Regulations and Statues Around the World MD has no regs at all and VA has provides guidance and some incentives for collection to abate storm water runoff. Here is a link to Virginia's guide to rainwater harvesting

According to the list:

The only state with major restrictions today is Colorado. Every other state allows rainwater capture; although some require permitting or registration.

 

[sw99]

Great info thanks folks. Off and on rain snow mix the past couple days and I have collected 450 gallons already. I really had no idea it would add up so fast.

 

[sw99]

Funny weed is legal here but most folks cant collect rain water...

 

[stuckmotor]

I actually illegal here in CO for the most part also. Unless your rural and on a well the state has the actual rights to the water. Absolutely ridiculous IMOP...

A math teacher once tried to explain the Colorado water laws to me, without success. Few math teachers could ever make me understand anything.

 

[4570Man]

I'm collecting rain off of about 400-500 square feet and about 2" of rain fills my 3000 gallon tank. The 3000 gallons that my tank holds is a very very small percentage of the rain fall on my 5 acres. And the water is eventually returned. It's not like I'm making it vanish.

 

[5030]

A math teacher once tried to explain the Colorado water laws to me, without success. Few math teachers could ever make me understand anything.

My Social Studies teacher could. She always sat on the edge of the desk with a short skirt and I always sat in the front row.. I absorbed every word she said...lol

 

[stuckmotor]

Can you believe it!? In some communities the collection of rain water is unlawful! Virginia or MD, IIRC. Something about "natural flow" or some other convolution of common sense. I guess they are concerned about flushing the pollutants off the streets.

CalG,
Did you find that information in a recent internert article? I seem to remember seeing one.

 

[stuckmotor]

My Social Studies teacher could. She always sat on the edge of the desk with a short skirt and I always sat in the front row.. I absorbed every word she said...lol

You have all the luck. All of my high school math teachers but one were men. The one woman was my cousin.

 

[stuckmotor]

CalG,
Did you find that information in a recent internert article? I seem to remember seeing one.

I did a little bit of research and apparenly what I saw was an article based on an eRumor.