Resources
Rain Barrel Workshop
Collecting rainwater is a simple way to conserve water, save money, and support a healthier environment.
What is a rain barrel?
Rain barrels are a container that collects non-potable (not drinkable) rainwater to be used at a later time to water your garden or clean equipment. Please keep in mind that rain barrels are a non-potable water source. Do not drink water from a rain barrel.
Sources:
Oleson, Diane. “Rain Barrels for Water Conservation.” Penn State Extension, 21 March 2020, http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2020/03/penn-state-extension-rain-barrels-for.html
“Rain Barrels.” Lincoln, CA - Stormwater Program, 3 Feb. 2021, https://lincolnstormwater.org/residents/rain-barrels/
675 gallons of storm water run off a 1,000 square foot roof for every one inch of rain.
Why have a rain barrel?
Hundreds of gallons of storm water run off a roof with each inch of rain. The storm water caught in the rain barrels (often called gray* water) is for irrigation purposes only.
A great way to conserve water is to use rain barrels to irrigate your garden beds. The average American uses 30% of water for outdoor use. By using rain barrels, you can help conserve municipal and well-water supplies for potable** use, and save on your city water-use costs.
To learn more about water, please visit EPA WaterSense.
*Untreated water that is not potable—in other words, not drinkable.
**Drinkable (often referred to as treated water).
Can I have a rain barrel?
In the United States, it is not illegal to collect rainwater, but in some states, there are certain restrictions on collecting rainwater.
Some states have regulations on collecting rainwater because some argue that it disrupts the natural flow of water back into streams and bodies of water, but there are studies that show homeowners have little to no effect on the water cycle.
Some Western states have restrictions due to old water laws that state that all rain belongs to water-rights owners. Some regulations also have to deal with possible health concerns.
North Carolina allows the collection for non-potable use only. Some HOAs might have different rules, so always be sure to check with local rules and regulations.
To see other state regulations, use this link:
States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater
Sources:
“States Where It Is Illegal To Collect Rainwater 2022.” States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater 2022, https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/states-where-it-is-illegal-to-collect-rainwater
Only 0.01% of the Earth's water is fresh surface water contained in lakes, streams, and rivers.
Rain barrel workshops
Rain barrels are an inexpensive way to collect water for later use, making them a great way to help save money! Using a rain barrel will help reduce costs when watering plants, cleaning yard equipment, and other non-potable uses.
Ready to make a rain barrel?
A few times a year, in Raleigh, North Carolina, We Plant it Forward is proud to hold rain barrel-making workshops!
Participants make and take to start their own water conservation program with a 55-gallon, fully functional rain barrel, with installation instructions and flexible downspout attachment. We supply the barrels, parts, and all tools necessary to make the rain barrel.
If you would like to attend our next rain barrel workshop, please visit our event calendar for more information about upcoming workshops!
Want to partner with us?
Contact us today if you would like to partner with us in holding a rain barrel workshop in your area!
Please note that we will need to identify a source for barrels in your area before we can schedule a workshop. Barrel delivery may also limit our range of possible workshop locations in North Carolina, but we will do our best to work out the logistics with you!
On average, an individual living in the United States uses 154 gallons of water daily.
Make a DIY rain barrel
We Plant it Forward is proud to offer free written instructions, and step-by-step video, teaching you how to build your very own DIY rain barrel!
If you have any questions, or encounter any technical difficulties accessing these resources, please get in touch!
Written instructions
Step-by-step video
Click here to watch a full-length, step-by-step video on YouTube on how to make a rain barrel with a fixed lid.
If you have a barrel with a removable lid, just skip over the part where the instructor cuts a hole in the top of the barrel.
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Rain barrels are fairly low maintenance, but they require yearly cleaning to remove biological growth and any sediment that made its way into the system. Something to watch for is overflow, which can lead to erosion at the foundation and become a breeding place for insects.
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Be mindful of what type of roof you have so you do not put toxic chemicals onto the plants that you are eating, and know the amount of yield able to come off your roof.
Tin - For the least amount of water lost, tin is one of the best, at around 5% loss. However, tin can possibly have a lead coating.
Metal - This roof can contain zinc in the coating, which can leach into the water. There is no data on how much water is lost.
Asphalt - Some asphalt roofs can leach contaminants, and older roofs could contain asbestos. Particles from asphalt roofing can build up in the rain barrel, causing the system to fail. With asphalt roofs, expect about a 10% loss of water.
Clay tiles - Clay tiles are not as efficient as tin, with around a 10% water loss, and can have biological growth on the roof.
Ceramic, cement, and rubber - These roofs affect the pH levels of the water. There is no data on how much water is lost.
Don’t miss our next event
Visit We Plant it Forward’s online calendar to stay up to date on upcoming events and volunteer opportunities in the community, including tree plantings, tree giveaways, and more!
References
“How to Maintain Your Rain Barrel .” Montgomerycountymd.gov, Department of Environmental Protection, 2025, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/clean-water/stormwater-management/RainBarrels.pdf.
Oleson, Diane. “Rain Barrels for Water Conservation.” Penn State Extension, 19 March 2020, https://extension.psu.edu/rain-barrels-for-water-conservation.
“Rain Barrels.” Lincoln, CA - Stormwater Program, 3 Feb. 2021, https://lincolnstormwater.org/residents/rain-barrels/.
Rochat, Ezekiel. “Roof Types for Rainwater Harvesting.” PerfectWater, 4perfectwater.Com, 2020, https://4perfectwater.com/blog/rainwater-harvesting-roof-types.
“States Where It Is Illegal To Collect Rainwater 2022.” States Where It Is Illegal to Collect Rainwater 2022, https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/states-where-it-is-illegal-to-collect-rainwater.
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