DIY Rainwater Harvesting System – Ask a Prepper

This undertaking (like many) was devised with a view to resolve an issue.

I had begun to watch with my indoor vegetation – yellowing of the leaves. Researching the problem I found the correct time period was chlorosis, and that the pH of my faucet water was more likely to blame.

I realized rather a lot about what minerals are added to metropolis faucet water and the way that may have an effect on the well being of my vegetation. I realized that pH values between 5.0 and 6.5 are perfect for the foundation atmosphere of soil potted vegetation, and that hostile results might be extra seemingly with values decrease than 4 and better than 8.

I bought a pH check equipment and in contrast the faucet water to the rainwater from a latest rain storm. The outcomes confirmed that my faucet water was certainly elevated at round 8.5 whereas the rain water was a extra idyllic 6.0.

With this info I started to attract up plans to construct a rain harvesting system.

Provides Wanted

Utilizing a neighborhood classifieds web site I sourced three HDPE (Excessive Density Poly Ethylene) 55 gallon barrels which might resist UV rays and sluggish the expansion of algae. These ones had been used within the manufacturing of shampoo and had been due to this fact freed from any harsh chemical compounds that may trigger additional harm to my vegetation.

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Utilizing the lengthy extension of my stress washer made fast and environment friendly work of cleansing out the barrels. These barrels have a buttress thread, and required a particular adapter discovered on-line to attach it to the widespread ABS fittings I may buy from my native ironmongery store. Here’s a full checklist of my provides:

55gallon HDPE barrel (x3)
Buttress Thread Adapter to 2″ NPT Male (x6)
2 in. ABS DWV male adapter (6x)
2” ABS lengthy 90 diploma elbow (x5) + 2” ABS quick 90 diploma elbow (x1)
2” ABS WYE or Tee becoming (x1) + 2” x 4” ABS Coupler (x1)
2” ABS pipe; ABS Cement
Pipe Thread Sealant
4”x4” x 8ft Handled lumber (x6) + 2”x4” x 6ft Handled lumber (x2)
3.5” x 0.25” Aluminum Angle (x 16)
¼” Lag Bolts and Washers; Stainless for toes
Versatile downspout (x2) + Additional downspout
PVC adapters and spigot

Building of the Rain Harvester

I laid out two lengths of the 4×4’s and figured my spacing in order that I may nonetheless take away the barrels, and have the ability to place a bucket underneath the spigot.

I reduce my 4×4’s to 23” lengthy and spaced them 24” aside with the underside stage measuring 16” above the bottom, and the 4×4’s operating parallel to the barrels had been reduce to 27.25” lengthy.

With the potential for every barrel to carry 450+lbs of water I had a neighborhood steel provider reduce 16 items of three.5”x3.5”x 0.25” aluminum angle at 3.25” lengthy to function my brackets. I then drilled six holes in every sufficiently big to suit my ¼”lag bolts.

Whereas on the steel retailer I additionally received 4 items of 0.25” thick chrome steel tread plate measuring 8”x8” and 16 items of two”x2” x 0.125” angle to weld up my very own toes.

This is able to hold the 4 posts from sitting within the mud on moist days and supply a greater footing for the practically 1500lbs of most water storage.

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I drilled holes within the toes considering I might screw it in, however after setting it upright I used to be not anxious about them going wherever.

To forestall the barrels from rolling and placing further stress on my ABS fittings I reduce 12 items of two×4’s with a forty five diploma bevel on one finish at 7.5” lengthy. Lastly I added two 2×4’s measuring 34” throughout the highest for added rigidity.

Plumbing

I began by including pipe thread sealant to the DWV and mating it with the buttress adapter.

I selected thread sealant as a result of it was much less everlasting and would permit me to tighten the fittings if any leaks fashioned, or if/after I wanted to switch a cracked becoming.

Mating these adapters earlier than I put in them on the barrels ensures I didn’t over tighten or strip any of the threads.

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I then dry match all of my ABS fittings permitting me to measure and reduce my ABS pipe to size.

As soon as I used to be proud of the way it was all becoming and that not one of the adapters had been underneath any stress, I cleaned all of the fittings and pipes and glued them along with ABS cement following the producers set up pointers.

The highest fill spout mixed with the wye (or tee) becoming permits the barrels to replenish after which drain any extra again down the drain spout.

I added a bit of window display screen materials over the spout to maintain out massive particles and secured it with a hose clamp.

Placing this display screen on the very prime permits the particles to repeatedly be washed away with out worry of any filters getting clogged or needing alternative.

I then reduce my aluminum downspout and added the versatile downspout to divert it to my harvesting system.

I then connected a brief piece of downspout with a screw to the overflow of the fill spout to feed it again into the unique downspout.

I dwell in Seattle and expertise freezing temperatures within the winter. Protecting a full system throughout my first winter with the system cracked just a few fittings so I realized to empty all however the backside barrel to maintain from changing fittings yearly. The versatile downspouts make it simple to reconnect the downspout to the drain and bypass the barrels within the winter.

They’re additionally helpful to bypass the barrels earlier than the primary rain after a protracted stretch of no rain since over that point pollen, mud, animal droppings and different particles has been amassing in your roof, and it’s higher to permit it to clean off earlier than storing it in your barrels.

Over the past eight years of use I’ve added further 4×4’s to extend rigidity and a forty five diploma elbow to the drain spout to maintain the water from dripping again out of the spout.

And also you may be questioning about my vegetation? Properly, they couldn’t be happier with their pure water and having the spigot positioned so excessive above the bottom permits me to connect a hose and water different vegetation in my yard.

About The Writer

David is a lifelong outside fanatic, and an indoor/outside gardener. He’s a fabricator, mechanic, and throughout helpful man presently dwelling in Seattle, Washington and dealing for Pure Watercraft growing the way forward for electrical boating.

This undertaking was an authentic concept, designed and made by David himself. All the photographs on this article had been taken by the writer as nicely.

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