Rain Barrel 1

Rain Barrel Information              

Rain barrels can be attached to downspouts to capture roof runoff. Water stored in a rain barrel can be used to water gardens or lawns. Rain barrels can also help control stormwater runoff, which can cause erosion.

Rain Barrel Fact Sheet

The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District sells rain barrels made to order by District staff and holds several workshops each year during which participants can build their own rain barrels.

Order Your Rain Barrel Here!

We occasionally host rain barrel workshops with the City of Harrisonburg and Town of Bridgewater, follow the links below to learn more about available workshops and to build your own rain barrel for a discounted price!

Harrisonburg City Rain Barrel Workshop

Town of Bridgewater Rain Barrel Workshop

Anatomy of a Rain Barrel

  • One 55 gallon up-cycled hard black plastic pickle barrel
  • 1 water spigot, for water extraction, placed at the bottom of the plastic barrel
  • 1 overflow nozzle, to control direction of overflow water
    • **Note: Be ready to direct the SVSWCD staff on where to place the nozzle in relation to (left or right of) the spigot. We suggest attaching a hose to your overflow nozzle to direct overflow water away from the base of your house.
  • 1 screen, used to keep mosquito larvae out of your rain barrel water
  • 1 hard plastic lid with holes, used either in addition to the screen or in place of the screen; a viable option if you have animals that might try to sit on top the rain barrel
  • 1 hard plastic ring, used to hold down the screen and/or hard plastic lid

Pre-made rain barrels DO NOT include diverters, elevation boxes, hoses, or connective pieces to attach multiple rain barrels in a series.*

You can easily modify the design of the rain barrel for your needs. By combining rain barrels in series, you can increase the amount of water you can store. You can also elevate the barrel(s) using bricks, cinderblocks, or treated wood to increase water pressure. Once filled, the barrels can be extremely heavy, so be sure raised platforms are stable.

Installing Your Rain Barrel

Rain Barrel Installation Guide

Connect to an existing rain barrel: To connect two barrels, a hole must be drilled at least 6” from the bottom of each barrel.  Use male fittings in each barrel and female fittings on the ends of the connecting tubing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connect two new rain barrels: To connect two new rain barrels, use mail fittings in each barrel and female fittings on both ends of connector hose with a T-valve in the middle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using Your Rain Barrel Safely

  • DO NOT drink rain barrel water or use the water for cooking.
  • DO NOT collect rainwater if you use moss-killer on your rooftop, as this will be harmful to your garden plants.
  • Use a mesh screen to protect mosquitoes, leaves, twigs, and other debris from getting into the rain barrel.
  • Alternatively, the hard plastic lid with holes can be used to prevent small mammals, such as cats or squirrels, from falling into the barrel.

Maintaining Your Rain Barrel

  • Disconnect the rain barrel during the winter to prevent water from freezing and cracking the barrel.
  • Empty and hose out the barrel at least once a year.
  • Try to use up the water between rainfall episodes; this will improve stormwater management.
  • Attach a hose to the overflow to divert excess rainwater away from your home.
  • Consider attaching a diverter to control the flow of water to your rain barrel from the downspout into the barrel. Some diverter options are the Save the Rain Diverter, Oatey Mystic Rainwater Collection System, and Earth Minded Flexifit Diverter.

Rain Barrel Maintenance Info