RAIN BARRELS - Sarasota County Extension

2. Conveyance SystemOnce the catchment area has beenidentified, the next step is to transportthat water into the storage tank. With aroof catchment area, a guttering systemis the easiest. All this may require ismodifying the existing guttering systemto divert the downspouts into thestorage tank. Remember to keep anygutter or downspout modificationssloping downward toward the storagetank. Large diameter PVC pipe, rubberhose or tubing can also be used.3. Storage TankA storage tank can be made of variousmaterials and can be located above orbelow ground. Some materials used forstorage tank construction are plastic,fiberglass, concrete and metal. So waterwill not leak out, the material shouldbe smooth and nonporous. Storagetanks can be elaborate concretestructures or simple plastic containerslike garbage cans or barrels.Most storage tanks are placed aboveground to take advantage of the force ofgravity. A below-ground tank requires apump to get the water out. Thisincreases the cost and maintenance ofthe system.Gutters and downspouts funnelrainwater to the rain barrels.Some common containers used for rainbarrels are (left to right): 50-gallonsealed barrel, 275-gallon juice container,50-gallon open-top barrel.8