Rain Barrels

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just beginning to explore the wonders of native gardening and water conservation, you can get started with CRWC!

WHY RAIN BARRELS?

Rain barrels are an excellent way to conserve rainwater and reduce water bills while benefiting the environment. By collecting rainwater, you can effectively harvest nature's gift and utilize it for various household and outdoor needs. Rain barrels help reduce the demand on municipal water supplies, especially during dry seasons, by collecting and storing rainwater for later use.

When rainwater moves over impervious surfaces like rooftops and driveways, it can collect pollutants and carry them directly into local lakes, rivers, and streams. By capturing rainwater that would otherwise run off into storm drains, rain barrels mitigate the risk of flooding and prevent pollutants from entering local waterways. 

Utilizing rainwater for activities such as watering gardens, lawns, and washing cars can lead to substantial savings on water bills, particularly during peak usage periods. Rainwater is naturally free from chlorine and other chemicals present in tap water, making it ideal for nurturing plants and gardens without additives.

BENEFITS

Utilizing rainwater for activities such as watering gardens, lawns, and washing cars can lead to substantial savings on water bills, particularly during peak usage periods. 

  • REDUCES FLOODING & POOLING

  • CONSERVES DRINKING WATER

  • LOWERS UTILITY BILLS & SAVES WATER

  • REDUCES POLLUTION BY REDUCING STORMWATER RUNOFF

  • PROVIDES BETTER WATER FOR GARDENING

ANATOMY OF A RAIN BARREL

Rain barrels consist of a variety of parts, and can be put together in several different ways.

Our example diagram is a single rain barrel that uses a flexible elbow.

You can certainly build your own rain barrel using a food-grade barrel and parts from a local hardware store (check out our video below), OR you can purchase a pre-fabricated rain barrel kit during our sale in the spring or fall.

HOW TO INSTALL A RAIN BARREL

If you want to learn a little more about the installation process, check out the video below.

CRWC Development & Communication Manager, Cole Pachucki, uses an individually sourced food-grade barrel, metal fittings, a downspout diverter, hoses, and common tools to assemble a rain barrel without using a kit.

CRWC collaborated with Oakland County Water Resources to produce this rain barrel installation video.