Our Backyard Rainwater Collection System

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
– Mother Teresa

*After researching rain barrels, and found one that we liked, we reached out to Fiskars to see if they would like to partner with us on this post.  We did receive a rain barrel in exchange for sharing our experience with their product. We also include some affiliate links of the exact, or similar products used in our posts. You can see our full disclosure policy HERE.

This is one of my favorite quotes! Mother Teresa is definitely someone I look up to…. as I talked about HERE.  I want to do things that make a difference toward others, and in my life, which is why we decided to install a backyard rainwater collection system.

|READ MORE OF OUR BACKYARD PROJECT HERE|

I HATE WATER WASTE!

After all I am Salvage Sister, right?

One of these days I would like to find  an efficient way to collect grey water in the home. Currently, I try to capture some with my super cute retro compost bucket, but I want to do more. To go the next step, we will be reducing some of the water waste in the backyard, that just pools on the concrete and in areas that has no plants or grass, so that it can be used efficiently in the yard.

Did you know that half of the water we use outside is wasted due to evaporation, misapplication, or over watering?

CHOOSING A RAIN BARREL

We looked at several different options and decided on the Fiskars Rain Barrel Rainwater Harvesting System for these features:

• The barrel itself is made with 35% recycled materials.
• It has a flat back so it sits flush up against the house.
• The diverter kit came in 2 sizes.
• The spout for an easy way to get the water.
• The appearance is a soft and natural look.
• Setup so there is no overflow (prechannel in the diverter).

Are you ready to get started? 

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED:

• Fiskars Rain Barrel with Diverter Kit
• Hack Saw
• Utility Knife (This is the Misters Fav)
• Drill (1′ spade/paddle bit)
• Level
• Pencil
• Tape Measure

INSTALLING OUR FISKARS RAIN BARREL

The system is quite easy to install. It took less than an hour to get the system in place. Here is a short version.  Of course, follow the detailed installation instructions that come with your system.

1. Make sure rain barrel is levcl.
2. Measure and mark the downspout.  It is important the diverter hose is level to ensure proper filling of water in barrel.
3. Cut the downspout and install the diverter (details in your installation guide).
4. Attach hose to the diverter.
5. Drill a hole in the barrel to install the connector making sure your hose is level, picking the side closest to the downspout (again details of this are in your instructions guide).

Here is an installation video we found useful however this is a fairly simple project.

Now, all we need is the rain especially since it’s been a bad fire season here in the Pacific Northwest (PNW).

ONE FINAL NOTE- Be sure to check your local city ordinances to ensure you can collect rain water in your area.

Thank you to Fiskars for supplying us with a rain barrel to efficiently capture our rain water.