Rain Barrel 101: How to Collect Rainwater and Cut Your Summer Water Bill

Rain Barrel 101: How to Collect Rainwater and Cut Your Summer Water Bill

With drought conditions affecting large parts of the United States — from the Southwest to the Southeast — rainwater harvesting has gone from a niche hobby to a mainstream home improvement strategy. And the best part? Getting started is easier (and cheaper) than you think.

A collapsible rain barrel is one of the most practical tools any American homeowner can add to their property this summer. Here's everything you need to know.

Why Collect Rainwater?

The average American home uses 9,000 gallons of water outdoors every summer. Much of that goes to lawns and gardens — water that could easily be replaced with free rainwater collected right from your roof.

Benefits of rainwater harvesting:

• Reduces your water bill by 30–50% during summer months
• Better for your plants — rainwater is naturally soft and free of chlorine
• Reduces stormwater runoff, which helps prevent local flooding and erosion
• Drought-proofing — maintain your garden even during water restrictions

Choosing the Right Rain Barrel

Our 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel is built for American homeowners who want maximum capacity with minimal storage hassle:

• 1000D Oxford Cloth construction — heavy-duty and UV-resistant
• Built-in spigot and overflow kit — easy to connect to your garden hose
• Collapsible design — folds flat for off-season storage
• 53-gallon capacity — enough to water a medium-sized garden for several days

How to Set Up Your Rain Barrel in 4 Simple Steps

Step 1: Choose Your Location
Place the barrel directly under a gutter downspout. Make sure the ground is level and firm.

Step 2: Elevate the Barrel
Set the barrel on cinder blocks or a wooden platform to create enough pressure for the spigot to flow freely into a watering can or hose.

Step 3: Connect to the Downspout
Use a downspout diverter to redirect water from your gutter into the barrel. The overflow kit included with our barrel handles excess water during heavy rain.

Step 4: Use and Maintain
Use the collected water for garden irrigation, lawn care, or washing outdoor furniture. Clean the barrel at the start and end of each season.

Is Rainwater Collection Legal in Your State?

Great news — rainwater harvesting is legal in all 50 US states as of 2024, though some states have collection limits. Most states actively encourage it with tax incentives or rebates. Check your local municipality for details.

Make This Summer Count

With water rates rising across the US and summer droughts becoming more frequent, a rain barrel isn't just an eco-friendly choice — it's a financially smart one. Set one up this weekend and start collecting free water with the very next rainfall.

Shop our 53-Gallon Collapsible Rain Barrel and start your rainwater harvesting journey today.