Build an Extreme Green Rain Barrel

By Philip Rastocny

These instructions address all aspects of water conservation while describing how to build a high-quality, low-cost rain barrel using recycled food-grade plastic barrels. The simple assembly techniques with over 58 illustrations and example calculations create an elegant solution for weekend conservationists. Know how big your cistern should be and how much water you can expect to harvest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Philip Rastocny
• Release date: Jan 7, 2011

Philip Rastocny

A spiritual being having a human experience, I have led an interesting life in this body. Upon my soul’s entry into physical form, I felt in touch with my spirit from a very early age. Questioning the interpretation of reality presented by my own senses, the only truth I found was my connection with the Creator. Exploring the mysteries of life and searching for the answers to classic questions like “Why am I here?” and “What is life all about?” made my personal spirituality my primary focus.While in youthful physical form, my Karma attracted I me to science and math thereby embracing the fascinating mechanical aspects of life. Marveling at how things worked, I was intrigued by complex designs. At age six, I routinely disassembled clocks, lamps, and play toys reassembling them all without a hitch. Building blocks and left over hardware scraps were a huge source of entertainment and an outlet for my creativity.My inquiring spirit found a similar fascination with personal relationships. In them, I discovered something new—my emotions transcended physical form and bonded with my insatiable search for understanding. Puzzled by the conflicting priorities between the heart and the mind, I sought balance after permitting my mind to manage—and correspondingly ruin—these relationships.Along my passionate journey, I consistently chose love and desired to experience it at its highest level. While enjoying the physical form, love’s emotional intensity far exceeded anything my body desired. Like dissecting a clock, I wanted to explore all there was to know about this unique feeling. Love is still my primary journey, and one that appears to have no end.When finding my soul mate, Althea, our immediate attraction was like two magnets jumping towards each other, and my journey seemed complete. From the first moments of our meeting we were inseparable. Different from enmeshment, our respect and encouragement for individual choice and unquestioning support led us to live a life of unconditional love and happiness that poets ponder.

Book preview

Build an

Extreme Green™

Rain Barrel System

By Philip Rastocny

Build an Extreme Green™ Rain Barrel System

By Philip Rastocny

Smashwords edition

Copyright © 2010 by Philip Rastocny

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission from the publisher. 

Publisher: Grasslands Publishing House, 8526 Central Avenue, Brooksville, Florida 34613

First edition – November, 2010

Second Edition – March, 2011

Philip publishes the Extreme Green series of DIY instructions and other green-friendly documentation.

Discover other titles by Philip Rastocny at www.smashwords.com

Extreme Green™ is a trademark of Philip Rastocny

Table of Contents

Forward

Disclaimer

Build an Extreme Green Rain Barrel

What Is Rain Water?

What is Distilled Water?

What Is Drinking Water?

What Are Cisterns?

Using Rain Barrels as Cisterns

Cistern Sizing Example

Design Example

Example Contingencies

Summary

Lowering Your Water Use

Building Simple Rain Barrels

Rain Barrel Parts:

Tools

Rinse Out the Rain Barrels

Build the Platforms

Cut Out the Holes

Install the PCV Fittings

Set the Barrels

Attach the Flexible Downspout

Cut the Downspout Hole

Build the Overflow Vents

Build the Roof Washers (optional)

Cut the Pipes

Connect the Valve

Check for Leaks

Building a Cistern System

Leveling the Ground

Setting the Barrels

Digging the Manifold Trenches

Adding the Manifold

Leak Check the System

Cut the Downspout Hole

Build the Overflow Vents

Build the Roof Washers

Create a Filtration System

Connect to the House Non-potable Water Line

Bleed and Leak Check the System

Insulating the System

Backup Contingencies

Ongoing Maintenance

Appendix A –Rainfall Averages

Forward

In our current energy crisis, most people are looking for ways to be green and lower their utility usage. These instructions show you how to do just that and by doing so set a positive example for your friends, neighbors, and especially your family.

These instructions provide you with details on how to build a simple rain barrels and a complicated cistern-style water collector system. The cistern system can be connected to your home and used for non-potable water applications like flushing toilets and washing clothes to help lower your overall water consumption.

Designed for the weekend do-it-yourselfer, these instructions give you step-by-step solutions to creating a low-maintenance system that is simple to assemble. Requiring minimal skills, almost anyone can do this by him/herself with possibly a little assistance from your talented friends.

While there are some plumbing, soldering, cutting, screwing, gluing, nailing, caulking, digging, leveling, assembly, etc. skills required these skills are typically used on common DIY projects by average individuals.

A recycled food-grade plastic barrel is featured in this design that lowers your overall investment and is extremely green for the environment.

So with these thoughts in mind, enjoy yourself while building something that will make a statement not only about your DIY skills but also about your going green mentality. Your friends and family will be amazed at what can be done with things they may see around them every single day. Knowing that you did something that will help the green movement is a feeling that you just cannot beat and you will enjoy great water gifted from the sky for a long time to come.

Take your time, do good work, and have fun.

Philip Rastocny

Disclaimer

USE THESE INSTRUCTIONS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

These instructions include information on cutting into and modifying the plumbing system and other systems of your home, and are intended to be used as guidelines only.

The owner of these instructions hereby waves all liability claims against Grasslands Corporation, its authors, employees and directors, its partners and affiliates, and its distributors and retailers. Using these instructions indicates that the owner accepts all liability and holds Grasslands Corporation, its authors, employees and directors, its partners and affiliates, and its distributors and retailers harmless from any resulting damage or injury whatsoever regardless of cause, including but not limited to misuse or