Home-grown Rainwater Reclamation System
Original 12-barrel design and construction guidance by Arnie Thompson of Acterra. After a season of use, I revamped the system to include the rear gutter and add 7 more barrels (to increase capacity, fix several leak issues, and reduce flooding in the back), with the help of my roommate, Nidia. Please contact me for parts-list and instructions to build your own! http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html Nineteen 55 gallon drums were re-purposed to create a system to collect rainwater and mitigate flooding. The trees/plants growing around my house seem to prefer rainwater to the chemically-altered city water. When the 1045 gallon system was inspected by the City of Palo Alto (rated one of the greenest cities in the US and leading the nation in sustainable neighborhood programs), I was told that it was the largest system they had seen! A view of the... http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#0 1a5a717e-f7d6-422b-b34b-76a3ed86ae0e http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys1-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys1-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys1-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">A view of the...</p></div></div> ...entire... http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#1 3d1456c4-2f34-49b9-9a88-83f8f82c34fe http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys2-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys2-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys2-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">...entire...</p></div></div> ...19 barrel system. http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#2 b67ac808-b15e-4f9c-bc41-0778a0df50f9 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys3-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys3-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys3-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">...19 barrel system.<br/></p></div></div> Rear gutter top left, front gutter bottom right http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#3 4169a0b3-4845-486e-8dda-3422142e91f3 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys4-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys4-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys4-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Rear gutter top left, front gutter bottom right<br/></p></div></div> Rear gutter system overflow. http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#4 52a7b6e1-3f23-453c-ae00-149d14ae17e7 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys5-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys5-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys5-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Rear gutter system overflow.</p></div></div> Improved first-flush diverter design takes load off the fragile leaf eater mount at top. http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#5 6355c135-ae7b-4378-9475-27b50d43dac1 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys6-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys6-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys6-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Improved first-flush diverter design takes load off the fragile leaf eater mount at top.</p></div></div> Bottom of rear gutter first-flush diverter (15°-angled design for easier maintenance) http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#6 285b5ce2-80bf-4728-878f-6c8385a85b7f http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys7-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys7-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys7-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Bottom of rear gutter first-flush diverter (15°-angled design for easier maintenance)</p></div></div> First-flush diverter original design on front gutter. http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#7 baeb13d5-be3a-4a8b-abc7-114338ca19c9 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys8-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys8-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys8-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">First-flush diverter original design on front gutter.</p></div></div> Roommate Nidia helped a LOT! http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#8 bbd967ce-6955-4284-92a5-c02c176b97ac http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys8n-1-4-12/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys8n-1-4-12/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys8n-1-4-12/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Roommate Nidia helped a LOT!</p></div></div> First-flush diverter reduces system maintenance by siphoning off roof crud. http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#9 deaad363-c602-467d-b993-670dc7ee1744 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys9-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys9-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys9-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">First-flush diverter reduces system maintenance by siphoning off roof crud.<br/></p><p class="Caption"><br/></p></div></div> Front gutter overflow http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#10 41e7b304-c034-40ac-972e-7137d57fa005 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys10-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys10-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys10-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Front gutter overflow</p></div></div> White metal prevents people walking by from kicking out the first-flush trickle tubing. http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#11 0a31c8e3-2533-4c1c-8a72-1d7db63a5a6a http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys11-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys11-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys11-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">White metal prevents people walking by from kicking out the first-flush trickle tubing.</p></div></div> Bottom of original first-flush diverter http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#12 96e38b21-cc1a-48a1-a6db-1cd2eaf4c5c7 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys12-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys12-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys12-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Bottom of original first-flush diverter</p></div></div> Connection to garden hose http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#13 46ce69c9-b617-47e8-a106-41851205b316 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys13-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys13-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys13-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Connection to garden hose</p></div></div> Original barrels http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#14 eee87851-454d-4f77-b9ea-2f037c6f35b4 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys16-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys16-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys16-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Original barrels<br/></p></div></div> Removable tops: A better way to go! http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System.html#15 73bb195e-dc48-4a46-9f06-cdf663969b39 http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys15-12-23-11/thumb.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys15-12-23-11/micro.jpg http://www.awakenthemagic.com/pics/Site/My_Albums/Pages/Rainwater_Reclamation_System_files/Media/rainbarrelSys15-12-23-11/mip.jpg <div style="padding: 0px; " class="image_cluster_layout_style_default_External_241_34"><div class="image_cluster_layout_style_default"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="paragraph_style">Removable tops: A better way to go!</p></div></div>