The Ultimate Guide to Collecting Rainwater, Storing, and Purifying

Water is a precious resource, and collecting rainwater is one of the easiest ways to have a reliable source of emergency water supply. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the steps of collecting rainwater, storing it efficiently, and purifying it for various uses.

Collecting Rainwater

1. Rainwater Harvesting Systems:
   • Rain barrels: These simple, cost-effective systems collect rainwater from rooftops and store it for later use. You can purchase all sizes and shapes from local hardware stores or online.
   • Cisterns: Ideal for larger storage capacity, cisterns collect rainwater from downspouts and can be integrated into landscaping. These can be above ground or below ground.
   • Other options: We used a brand-new trash can that we added a spout to for the longest time. There are also the 175 gallon totes, but be sure they are food-grade. Another option would be to find used containers from food manufacturers, we once got a bunch of 50 gallon pickle containers which were easily transformed for water collection.
   • Ensure they’re dark colored: To prevent algae from growing, ensure that your container is a dark or black color to keep algae from growing from the direct sun. You can also sanitize the water with bleach or UV light every week or so.
   • Pump or no pump: It’s ideal to have your system gravity-fed. Lift it up off the ground a couple of feet and have the spout at the bottom of the barrel. Unless it’s very high in the air, it usually won’t create a ton of pressure, but you will still easily be able to collect water from it without a pump.
2. Rainwater Potential:
   • Determine your water needs: Evaluate your household’s water consumption patterns to estimate the required collection capacity. Will you be using it for animals? Garden? Everyday usage? Calculate your needs and how much water you’ll need. You may need several rain collection systems to accommodate your needs.
   • Calculate rainfall capture: Every single place, even the desert, can and should be collecting water. Even if it only falls at certain times of the year or sporadically, that’s water you can be collecting for free. In fact, it’s probably even more essential that you have a water collection system in drought-ridden areas to ensure you always have some sort of water on hand.
3. Collection Methods:
   • Gutters and downspouts: Ensure your gutters and downspouts are clean and in good condition to channel rainwater effectively into the collection system. Whether you have an open water collection system or it’s coming from downspouts, every system should have some type of screen on it to ensure all large debris and bugs are kept out of the water.

Storing Rainwater

1. Storage Containers:
   • Store where it’s collected: Each container that it’s collected in can also be used to store it. As long as it’s a dark-colored container and/or you’re purifying the water regularly, it’ll be perfectly safe to store it in that container and simply use it as needed.
   • Transfer the water: If you find you aren’t using the water as quickly as you’d like and you want to make room for more water collection, sanitize the water, place a filter over the container you’re about to transfer it to, then transfer the water out. It can be stored in buckets (with lids), empty and cleaned gallons of water and smaller water containers. You can then place sanitization inside of the water where it was just transferred to make sure it’s ready to go when you need it.

Purifying Rainwater

1. Water Purification Methods:
   • Filtration: Use mesh screens, sediment filters, or ceramic filters to remove larger debris and sediments from the collected rainwater. Any filters you choose should be small enough so bugs aren’t able to get into the water.
   • Disinfection: Chlorination (such as Bleach), ultraviolet (UV) sterilization, or solar disinfection methods can effectively eliminate harmful microorganisms. When transferring the water to any other container, use the advice above about using a filter and sanitizing again once the water is in the new container. If you are going to use it for personal consumption, water tablets, use a Berkey, pump water filter, distillation, reverse osmosis or other water sanitization methods. Check out my blog post about purifying water.

Conclusion:

Anyone can and should start collecting rain water. It doesn’t have to come from gutters if you’re concerned about anything toxic coming from your roof. We have had an open water collection container for years and it’s always full.

Collecting rainwater empowers individuals to become more self-sufficient. You can set up an efficient rainwater collection system, store water effectively, and purify it for various purposes with little upfront cost.

Remember, collecting rainwater is not illegal in any state. In fact, it’s encouraged in many places. However, there might be city or county restrictions or limitations so check your local laws.