I’m thinking about adding a rain collector to use in my garden but I have some concerns about construction materials.

One concern is that I’m not a huge fan of using a plastic container to store water. The idea of water sitting in a plastic barrel that could be exposed to heat from direct sunlight doesn’t fill me with excitement. I was wondering what other materials or containers I could use that might be better for storing rain water. One idea I had was to modify a metal keg to collect water. They would be smaller but I could use multiple if I wanted.

The other concern I have is about roofing materials. Is it safe to use water collected from a roof with shingles in a garden for vegetables? I’m wondering if there might be any run off from the materials used for roofing.

  • KryptonBlurEnglish
    5•5 months ago

    You can buy galvanised steel water butts. I don’t know what their quality is like as I haven’t been able to get one yet, but when I get a chance to install a water butt, it’s what I plan to use.

  • Kalcifer
    4•5 months ago

    One thing that’s important to be aware of is that some regions have laws that prohibit the collection of rainwater. So be sure to check the laws that apply to your region.

    • @9point6
      6•5 months ago

      … Okay I’ll bite

      Why on earth would they prohibit that?

      • @shalafiEnglish
        4•5 months ago

        OP’s wildly misunderstanding. The idea behind such laws is that some asshole doesn’t divert acres and acres of rainwater for his personal use. I think one guy, ever, has been prosecuted, and that’s exactly what he was doing.

        tl;dr: No one’s coming for you after a rain barrel.

        • @[email protected]
          1•5 months ago

          That’s because you wouldnt be prosecuted unless it was a massive operation… you’d be fined by your local bylaw enforcement officer until you remove said rain barrel… thats not even counting the sorry saps who have to deal with HOAs. Happens ALL THE TIME. Maybe you are just lucky where you live.

        • Kalcifer
          1•4 months ago

          OP’s wildly misunderstanding.

          I’d say it’s more just an overabundance of caution — rainwater collection laws aren’t without precedent. Admittedly, given the context of OP’s post, my comment doesn’t warrant much concern.

      • Kalcifer
        1•4 months ago

        Large collections of rainwater could disrupt water ecosystems. Admittedly, my comment doesn’t warrant much concern given the context OP’s post. Here is an article talking about Colorado’s water collection laws. Here’s a Reddit thread that offers some more information.

  • poVoqM
    4•5 months ago

    Its quite easy to make rainwater harvesting tanks from so called ferrocement, which is basically chickenmesh plastered with a thin layer of cement/sand mixture.

    As for the shingles: I guess you could settle out or filter any solids that get washed off the roof?

  • Track_ShovelEnglish
    1•5 months ago

    I wouldn’t collect from shingles. I routinely see bits of them in my downspouts when it rains.