Rain Barrel Roof Runoff

The system outlined below will walk you through the steps of determining your rain barrel sizes based on average roof runoff.

Rain barrel roof runoff.

Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns gardens or indoor plants. For sample purposes a 55 gallon barrel will be used. Gardeners often collect water in a rain barrel with little to no protection from the roof s first flush of runoff. I was looking around and found that of the research that has been done when it comes to rain barrels and other catchments that the water coming off the roof is dangerous.

The problem is that there has been little direct research using runoff to water edibles and checking them for contamination. It s a great way to conserve water and it s free water for use in your landscape. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. If you re thinking about buying a rain barrel look for one with a first flush feature which stores the first five to 10 gallons.

As rain barrels proliferate and climate change squeezes summer water supplies there s certain to be increasing interest in using roof runoff to grow vegetables and fruits. The first flush water is the initial rainwater that drains off an impervious surface such as a driveway parking lot or roof and has been shown to have the highest levels of contaminants. Rain barrels rain barrels make collecting roof runoff convenient.