Catching Rain

When we live in the city, we tend to forget that south africa is a pretty dry country by world standards - we receive and average of only 464mm per annum, compared to a global average of 860mm per annum. Despite many warnings of this matter we remain blissfully ignorant of the real price of water, until someone turns the taps off for maintenance. Lets be realistic - you cannot live without water. If your an avid gardener at least a 1/6 of your water consumption each month will go toward your garden. Which is a fair chunk. Most south african homes - have gutters to deal with the heavy evening rainstorms - The water of which most often does little to penetrate the soil and mainly runs off into the cities drainage system.

This said, creating some for of water harvesting for your home - even if it only functions effectively in the rainy season is a good idea.  You can purchas great comercial systems from - Rain Cell and Jo-Jo
( Slimline ) Which will suit the urban home very well.

If however you cannot afford such a product - there are some great do it yourself rain catchment idea's which would be worth a try. Even if your only end up with enough pressure to fill your watering can. Your still doing your bit. You could station one bellow each of your down pipes.

List of Materials

Generally all but the barrel can be purchased at any decent hardware store.

The Barrel

You will need a plastic  drum or rubbish bin ( the old ones would be best ) - something of a decent
size - with an opening that you can filter closed.  -
 ms plastics
plastic world 
have some in both 50 l  to 200 l which should be appropriate for this project.

The Spigot & Hardware

You'll need a  standard garden tap spigot  These have male threads at one end to screw into the barrel and at the other to attach a standard size hose. You'll also need a  galvanized locknut to match , a rubber washer with a  inner diameter to match , plumbers tape, superglue and silicone.

The Overflow Valve & Hardware

You'll need a ¾" brass overflow valve which, like the spigot, has male threads on either end with the outer end able to connect with the female end of a hose (plastic will work too). You'll also need the locknut, rubber washer, plumbers tape, superglue, and silicone.

Tools

• Drill
• 2.5mm  hole saw or drill bit (use 15/16" for very secure fit)
• Stanley knife
• Needle nose pliers or wrench
• Vegetable oil and cloth
• Screw driver and half dozen screws (see #14)
• Meshscreen for top filter

Making Your Very Own Catchment System (a.k.a. Rain Barrel)

Click Image To View!

Clean and rinse  container with a mild soap and water (rainwater if you've got any yet) Drill a 2.5cm hole with your hole saw or drill bit, just off the bottom of the container for the spigot assembly. I put mine as low as possible to maximize easy water use. It's designed to be used with a stand. I use four cinder blocks. Note: If you are unable to reach down to the inside bottom of the barrel, you might want to use a 15/16" bit and put the washer on the outside of the barrel. Drill a 2.5cm hole about 3 cm or so below the rim for your overflow valve assembly. This hole can go anywhere around the barrel at that latitude. Keep in mind: don't put it too close to the top (overflow) or too low (lose water storage). . Please note: if you've got a large roof and those large downspouts, you may want to get a larger overflow valve. Use that 2.5cm (1") bit to drill a dozen or so holes in the lid. Rainwater will filter through meshscreen then through holes into barrel. Take utility knife to clean scraps around holes. Wrap the barrel end of the spigot three times around with Teflon tape and then screw in the spigot squarely. It should go by hand. Take the rubber washer and glue the surface of one side with a stong glue and reach into the barrel and work it over the threads. Flush with the barrel. Screw on the locknut and finish tightening by turning the spigot while holding the locknut with a wrench or needle nose pliers. You may need a second person to turn while you hold or vice versa). Authors note: I love needle nose pliers! Wrap the longer end of the overflow valve with Teflon tape three times and then screw it into the overflow hole by hand or by using a wrench or pliers if necessary. The outside male threads should be able to connect with a standard size hose to divert the overflow. Repeat #7 Screw on the locknut as far as possible by hand, then hold locknut while tightening overflow valve with pliers/wrench until it flies out of your hand or is very tight. Take a tube of all-purpose silicone "goop" and apply a bead where overflow valve meets the outside of the barrel. Note: I do this as an added sealant. It may not even be necessary. Take a tube of all-purpose silicone "goop" and apply where the spigot meets the barrel. Follow drying time directions from the silicone tube. Trace the outline of the lid on a mesh fiberglass screen and then cut it out. Screw on, if necessary, or just tighten ring around cap to secure. This screen is designed to keep mosquitoes out. Alternatively - should you not have a container with a lid.  remove the lid and use the steel band , or anything else you might find, get some fine grade - shade cloth and cover the top of the barrel with this, clamp steel band over tightly and there you have your filter.  Place your barrel below your down pipe - if you do not have one invest in one.   build a small plinths with some bricks or concrete blocks, (this need not be permanent. ) to help with pressure - giving it at least enough hight for a watering can to fit bellow it. Enjoy your new water wiser garden.