DIY RAIN CATCHMENT SYSTEM

BUILD THIS SIMPLE SETUP FOR LESS THAN $75!

- BRIAN M. MORRIS

You don’t need to be a “prepper” or be making preparations for the end of the world to see the practical need for a rain catch. Depending on where you live, water might be a rare or expensive commodity.

In areas of the United States that are prone to drought, the amount of water available for gardening and lawns and other purposes might be limited. There’s also the threat of a natural or man-made disaster that can quite easily cut you off from your normal water supply. Having an alternate means of procuring and storing water is never a bad idea for those who like to be prepared for any contingency.

Building a rain catch is a great way to supplement your current water supply. It’s a simple and fun project that can be done in a relatively short amount of time and with a cost of $75 or less, depending on what materials are already available to you.

Here are the simple steps you’ll need to follow if you’re interested in adding to your water reserves. You’ll probably see some things you can accomplish with a substitution or modification to make a catchment system that’ll work for your situation. Feel free to make any adjustments needed to make your system as effective and economical as possible.

FIND YOUR BARREL

You can find large, food-grade barrels quite easily by checking Craigslist or doing a Google search, and you should be able to purchase one for about $20. Helpful hint: Barrels with removable lids are easier to clean and modify for this project than those with fixed lids.

CLEAN YOUR BARREL