Collecting and using rain water around the house can significantly reduce your home water bill, according to Earth Easy, which also points out that most Americans use up to 70 gallons of tap water per day for outdoor activities. While numbers vary depending on the season and where you live, you can still reduce that large amount by using rain water to wash your car, clean the sidewalk, water the garden and soak the lawn. A tight-fitting cover is important in summer to prevent bugs from getting into the water, especially if you plan on holding it for more than a few days.
Household Containers
If you're just looking to save enough rain water to care for your garden or clean the driveway, you should be able to collect adequate water with large garbage cans. This system is effective for saving rain water that you plan on using right away. Otherwise, it might become a mosquito breeding ground. Plastic cans are poor choices in freezing temperatures, as ice expands and might end up breaking the container.
You can also modify a plain plastic barrel by adding a screen on top to keep the water clean and installing a small hose or tap near the bottom so you can get the water out. You can find fittings to adapt a barrel at any plumbing or home supply store, and you will need just a few basic tools, such as a drill and a small hacksaw, to set it up and start collecting water.
Rainwater Barrels
If your goal is to save significant amounts of rain water, you should consider buying a rain barrel. These containers come in a variety of sizes and materials. Some rain barrels are completely sealed except for an entry space for a hose and a drain valve. These barrels work well if you have a gutter or downspout that you can connect directly into the barrel or to the hose system. Other common styles of rain barrel have an open top covered by mosquito screening. These models are good choices if you plan on just setting the barrel out in the yard, as they provide a larger surface to catch the water and still prevent debris and animals from getting into the barrel.
Advanced Container Options
Barrels made of food-grade plastic resin are best if you plan to filter the water or using it for anything other than cleaning or watering. Food-grade plastic resin doesn't break down in the sun and contains no chemicals that could leak into the water. Sometimes these barrels can be interconnected, so that water flows into a second barrel rather than being wasted when the first barrel becomes full. If your garden is uneven, consider buying or building a platform to set the barrel on.
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