Recycled 60 Gallon Food Grade Olive Barrels available in Green, Gray, Black:               
$140.00 / each.

Collecting rain water is one of the easiest ways to save energy and conserve our natural resources.

Collecting rain water:

1) conserves our current freshwater resources.
2) helps manage erosion and run off around your home protecting your investment.
3) saves money and energy
 

For every inch of rain that falls on a catchment area of 1,000 square feet, you can expect to collect approximately 600 gallons of rainwater. 40 inches of rain falling on a 1,000 square foot catchment area will generate about 24,000 gallons of rainwater.

Your roof catchment area is equal to the total square feet of your house plus the extension of your eaves. 
My house is approximately 22' x 40' with 2' of eaves on all sides, so my collection area is 26' x 44'= 1,144 sq ft.

Since one inch of rainfall provides approximately 600 gallons of water for a 1,000 square foot catchment area, 1.144 x 600 gallons = 686 gallons

In Indiana, we have an average rainfall of 40"- 43" inches per year.

40" of rainfall x 686 gallons = 27,000+ gallons of rain each year 

I have the potential to collect and manage 27,000+ gallons of water in one year. I can use the water for the garden and for the animals.

Bloomington, IN Weather

US Geography / US Weather / Indiana Weather / Bloomington

    ..........     Jan   Feb  Mar  Apr  May  Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep  Oct   Nov   Dec
Avg. High     36°  40°   52°   64°   74°   82°  85°  84°   78°   67°  54°   41°
Avg. Low      18°  21°   31°  42°    52°  61°  65°   64°   56°  44°  35°    24°
Mean           27°  31°   42°   54°   64°   72°  76°  74°   67°   56°  45°   34°
Avg. Precip   2.4   2.6   4.1  3.9    4.8    3.6  4.8   3.9   3.3    2.8   3.5   3.6

That's 43" of rain every year, or nearly 30,000 gallons of water for a modest 22' x 40' home. 

I also see the value in rain barrels as a way to help manage the rain that falls on my roof every year to protect my basement and investment. This year we had record rainfall in Indiana!  My house has a walkout basement and when it rains hard I get some moisture in my basement. The ground gets saturated quickly with a heavy rain, I need to keep it away from my basement during big storms. 

I can manage the 27,000 gallons of water by first collecting it in the barrels then sending water away from my house more evenly and precisely with a simple garden hose attachment directed away from the home. I can send the excess water further from my home with rain barrels as compared to traditional splash plates and down spouts.