Rain barrels conserve water by collecting rainwater that would otherwise run off your roof and into storm drains, allowing you to store and reuse this captured water to irrigate your lawn and garden. They essentially provide a free source of water that reduces your use of and reliance on municipal water supply.

To actually conserve water and reduce your overall municipal water use, it is important that you adjust your current irrigation schedule and replace it with water from your rain barrel:

• Adjust your irrigation schedule and/or watering habits: reduce the amount of water (length of cycle or number of cycles), remove a day from your watering schedule, and replace any manual watering (hose, watering can) with rain barrel water.
• Use your water rain barrel to water a NEW garden, tree, or other planting instead of adding an additional drip line or sprinkler.

Collecting rainwater keeps it from becoming stormwater runoff that can pick up pollutants as it flows to the nearest storm drain and instead puts this precious resource to good use. Stormwater pollution occurs when runoff collects trash, pet waste, chemicals, and other pollutants as it flows through our community. Stormwater ends up directly in local waterways – it is never cleaned or treated.

Collecting rainwater is legal in Colorado. Rainwater harvesting was legalized in Colorado in 2016 with some restrictions: the water can be used for outdoor use only, and single-family residences or multi-family residences (4 or fewer units) can only install 2 barrels with a combined maximum storage of 110 gallons.

Homeowners associations (HOAs) cannot prevent you from getting a rain barrel, but they may have aesthetic or location requirements. Talk to your HOA about what approval processes or aesthetic guidelines you might need to follow.

Stormwater pollution can start at home. There are many easy ways residents can take action to prevent stormwater pollution. They center around only allowing rain or clean water to enter the road and flow into nearby storm drains. See KICP’s Resources for Residents webpage for more ideas and information.

• Clean up pet waste
• Use commercial car washes
• Monitor your vehicle for leaks
• Compost or mulch yard waste and leaves, keep it out of streets
• Minimize pesticide use
• Minimize fertilizer use: do a soil test, leave grass clippings, use compost or compost tea

As we have replaced permeable natural environments like forests and grasslands with the impermeable surfaces of houses, driveways, and roads, a lot of the water that used to soak directly into the ground now “runs off,” becoming runoff that enters the nearest storm drain or waterway. Learn more on the KICP’s Slow the Flow webpage.

Some projects and practices to prevent water runoff from your property and encourage it to go straight into the ground include:

• Prioritizing vegetated landscaping and mulch and using permeable landscaping materials (materials with “breaks” in them instead of one long flat piece of concrete) like gravel and pavers.
• Disconnecting downspouts by directing water from downspouts to vegetated areas.

Make sure you have all the necessary supplies before installation!

1. Rain barrel with sealable lid or cap

2. Diverter kit including:

• Diverter
  • Diverters are inserted into your downspout. Downspouts come in different sizes: rectangular 2-inch by 3-inch gutters are most common, but you might have a 3-inch by 4-inch downspout or even a round one. Purchase a diverter installation kit that fits your needs.
• Fill hose
• Fill hose seal
• Threaded rubber spigot seal
• Winterization cap
• Hole saw kit
• 2 stainless steel screws
• Plastic full port spigot

3. Other tools and supplies

• Drill
• Gloves
• Eye Protection
• Level
• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• Wrench

4. Decorating (if you are painting or decorating your barrel)

• Sander and sand paper (100 weight)
• Primer (plastic paint primer)
• Exterior house paint and/or acrylic paint
• Paint sealer (if using acrylic paint)

These are locations we are aware of where you can buy, rent, or borrow these supplies in the Boulder County area.

Rain barrel with sealable lid or cap

• Colorado Rain Catcher (local – Fort Collins)
  • DIY Up-Cycled Rain Barrel & Kit Bundle
  • Up-Cycled 55 Gallon Rain Barrel
• Container Reclaimer (local – Arvada)
  • Open Top Poly Barrel, Food Grade 55-Gal
• Blue Barrel (nationwide)
  • Relies on local barrel vendors

Diverter kit

• Blue Barrel (nationwide)
  • Tool and accessories – including the option to purchase individual or replacement parts that usually come as part of the full installation kit
  • Information and materials for their unique BlueBarrel Rainwater Catchment System, which is different from the installation process you will find on this page
• Colorado Rain Catcher (local)
  • DIY Rain Barrel Installation Kit
• EarthMinded Rain Barrels (nationwide)
  • Options for purchasing full kits or individual/replacement parts
• The Rain Barrel Depot (nationwide)
  • Options for purchasing full kits or individual/replacement parts
  • We do not recommend using their prefabricated rain barrels

Other tools and supplies

• Borrow from a family member, friend, or neighbor
• Post in a neighborhood group or online community group
• Resource Central for affordable used tools
• Check Home Depot or Lowe’s for tool rental options
• Longmont residents can use the City of Longmont Library of Things

Decorating

• Pick up free paint products from the Boulder County Hazardous Materials Management Facility
• Get affordable painting supplies at Art Parts Creative Reuse Center

Important Reminder: Compare these steps to the instructions in your rain barrel installation kit.

1. Measure up 3 inches from the bottom of the barrel and make a mark with a pencil.
2. Carefully drill the spigot hole, centered on the mark, using the SMALLEST hole saw.
3. Immediately after drilling the hole, insert the gasket while the plastic is still warm. This should make insertion easier. Rub soap around the gasket edges to help insertion if necessary.
4. The direction of the gasket does not matter.
5. Make sure the spigot is CLOSED after installation. If the spigot is open, water will flow out of your rain barrel.

Tip: Sit on the barrel to give you more control.

Important Reminder: Finalize the location of your barrel BEFORE drilling these holes. The hole should be on the side of the barrel closest to the downspout.

1. Measure down 3 inches from the top of the barrel and make a mark with a pencil.
2. Assemble the MEDIUM hole saw according to your kit instructions.
3. Carefully drill the hole, centered on the mark.
4. Insert the medium rubber fitting.

Important Reminder: Always wear eye protection and gloves when drilling into metal.

1. Place your barrel on the stand with the spigot facing out.
2. Measure your downspout – always drill on the 3” side (your downspout could be 2”x3” or 3”x4”).
3. Use a level to mark the downspout at the height of the intake hole.
4. The tube MUST BE LEVEL with the intake hole to allow water to flow back out the downspout. If the diverter is too high on the downspout, excess water will flow out of the top of your barrel. If the diverter is too low, your barrel will not fill.
5. Use the largest hole saw to drill into the 3” side of the downspout. Be careful not to drop the metal cutting into the downspout if your downspout is connected to a pipe that runs underground.

Tip: Use pressure when drilling and make sure you are holding the hole saw straight.

Insert the diverter into the downspout:

1. Squeeze the sides of the rubber diverter and insert it into the downspout. The cup and arrow should be facing UP to ensure rainwater capture.
2. Secure the diverter to the downspout with the two small screws. Insert the fill tube into the diverter and the barrel’s top hole.
3. Make sure the diverter is completely flush (no gaps) and completely inserted. You should hear a ‘pop’ when the diverter is inserted completely.

Once the diverter is in place, connect the other side of the hose into it. The hose should now be connecting the downspout to the barrel.

Tip: The ends of your hose might be slightly different sizes.

It is important to test your rain barrel system and check for leaks before you attempt to capture rainwater:

• Using a hose, spray water on the roofline above the rain barrel.
• Water should flow to the gutters, through the downspout, through your diverter, and into your rain barrel.
• Double-check that your barrel is stable and not susceptible to falling over.
• Always monitor children and pets around rain barrels.

You can install your rain barrels in different locations or connect the barrels to increase storage. Rain barrel connection kits are available from places like Colorado Rain Catcher for a few dollars.

The connector pipe must be level and located below the intake hole of the first barrel so that the second barrel fills first.

Keep insects, particularly mosquitoes, away from your rainwater harvesting system:

• Ensure the barrel and all openings are properly covered.
• Empty the barrel regularly.
• Keep the top clear of standing/pooled water.
• Use “Mosquito Dunks” in the barrel and on top if water is pooling there.
• Use several tablespoons of vegetable oil to create a barrier at the water surface.

If not properly maintained, your rain barrel may provide an ideal habitat for algae growth. This layer of algae growth on the interior of the barrel walls can settle at the bottom of the barrel, causing clogs and even harm to your irrigated landscape.  Thinking through the placement of your barrel and proper maintenance can help avoid some of these issues:

• Place barrels out of direct sunlight.
• Use opaque barrels or paint your barrel (so the walls shade the inside).
• Keep gutters clean (nutrients can leach into your barrel from the roof runoff).
• Clean the barrel regularly and use harvested water frequently.
• Use vinegar or apple cider vinegar as a natural way to prevent algae in your rain barrel.

If you need extra assistance removing stubborn algae, use a diluted (2%) bleach solution. Dispose of this used bleach solution into an indoor sewer drain, not outdoors.

Cleaning your barrel is important for maintaining water quality and preventing algae blooms:

1. Disconnect the barrel from your house.
2. Rinse out the barrel with a hose.
3. Use a long-handled scrubber.
4. Add mild cleaning products:
   • 16 oz. box of baking soda and 64 fl. oz. distilled white vinegar.
   • Mild dish soap, castile soap, and/or phosphate-free soap.
5. Turn the barrel on its side and swish vigorously, use a scrubber if possible.
6. Rinse out the barrel with a hose.

Tip: Barrels with a fully removable lid are easier to clean. If you have the style of barrel with two small holes on top, it is important to stay on top of cleaning and maintenance since build up and algae will be more difficult to reach and scrub out of this style of barrel.

Rain barrels are typically used between March and October in temperate climates. In warmer parts of the US, rain barrels can be used year-round. However, freezing temperatures can cause permanent damage to your system, particularly the diverter and spigot. Keep your rain harvesting system in good shape by following these easy winterization steps:

Barrel Storage

1. Drain your system – let gravity slowly empty the barrel.
2. Dry the barrel fully. Remove the lid or caps to allow the barrel to air dry completely, store upside down to drain water as needed.
3. Remove diverter and overflow hose. The spigot should survive outdoor temperatures.
4. Store your barrel:
   • Inverted in the garage or basement.
   • Resting upside-down on bricks or concrete blocks if storing outdoors.
   • In its usual location, as long as it is disconnected from the downspout and weighed down/secured to prevent it from falling.

Downspout

For rain barrel systems that use a diverter kit as we suggest, the winter hole cover is provided or you can purchase one from websites listed in the Supplies section of this webpage. Remove the hose from the downspout and simply place the hole cover into the hole in the downspout.

Rain barrels can be functional and look great! Painting the barrel may help meet aesthetic requirements set by your HOA. Remember to use a ground cover and never rinse paint brushes outside – keep soap and all paint out of out of landscaping and storm drains.

1. Disconnect your barrel from the downspout (or decorate before installation – do not decorate while it is attached to your house).
2. Use sandpaper (100 weight) on the outside of the barrel.
3. Wipe down the barrel and allow it to dry.
4. Spray or brush on plastic paint primer – paint will not stick without it.
5. Use exterior house paint or acrylic paint. Create your own design or use cardboard stencils.
6. Spray with a paint sealer if using acrylic paint.

The most common issue is people purchasing a rain barrel installation kit that contains a diverter for the more common 2-inch x 3-inch downspout, and realizing it is too small for their larger 3-inch by 4-inch downspout. First, measure your downspout to be sure of its dimensions. If you have already drilled the hole, hopefully it was done on the 3-inch side of the downspout per the installation instructions. If this is the case, all you need to do is purchase a diverter intended for a 3-inch x 4-inch diverter (it will be longer and more rectangular) and insert it into the downspout instead of the smaller one that came with your kit. See the “Supplies” section of this webpage – some rainwater harvesting websites sell installation kit pieces individually, so you do not need to purchase a whole new kit. You can also leave it as is and use the smaller diverter. You will not collect as much water, since your diverter is only taking up part of the downspout, so some water will enter the barrel while some will continue down and out of the downspout.

The two white plastic screw caps located on the top of 55-gallon barrels (they will only be on barrels that don’t already have fully removable lids) are called “bung caps.” These can be very tight and difficult to remove when you first purchase your barrel. Here are some techniques you can use to remove a stubborn or stuck cap:

• Use a regular wrench or 2 screw drivers to give you the leverage needed to twist the cap off.
• Use a pair of pliers and a wrench like in this video.
• Purchase a bung nut wrench, the designated tool for dealing with this type of cap, such as this one: Vestil 10.5 in. Aluminum Drum Bung Nut Wrench BNW-A – The Home Depot.

In the short term, as long as you can remove one cap to clean out your barrel, that should be fine. Long-term, having access to both holes in the barrel can make it easier to clean out.

Is the spigot leaking from the seal where you inserted it into the barrel, or from the handle you turn to open the spigot? People have had success using an epoxy putty in the area to stop leaking from the seal (caulk was not strong enough for this situation). If an excessive amount of water is coming from the handle when you turn on the spigot, you might need to replace it. See the “Supplies” section of this webpage – some rainwater harvesting websites sell installation kit pieces individually, so you do not need to purchase a whole new kit.

1. Look for wet spots or evidence of water under and near your barrel – is it leaking from the spigot seal, hose seal(s) or the hose itself, or from a crack in the barrel?
2. Check that your spigot is in the closed position.
3. Remove the hose from the diverter and see if there is a clog. You may need to remove the diverter from the downspout to fully check for clogs.
4. After doing the above, use a hose to spray water onto the roof of your house where it should run into the gutter that leads to the downspout where your barrel is connected. If water is still not entering your barrel, you may need to check for blocks in your gutter or in the downspout above your diverter.