Barrel + diverter
A food-grade barrel and a downspout diverter kit. Screened inlet to keep debris and mosquitoes out.
Free water off your own roof — the simple setup, and how far it can scale.
One inch of rain on a 1,000 sq ft roof is about 600 gallons. Rainwater harvesting is the cheapest, fastest step toward water independence — a barrel and a downspout diverter get you started this weekend.
A food-grade barrel and a downspout diverter kit. Screened inlet to keep debris and mosquitoes out.
Route overflow away from the foundation; add a spigot near the base for a watering can or hose.
Link barrels, or move to an IBC tote for hundreds of gallons. Garden use needs no treatment.
Rain capture is layer one. The next layer is a water source you control year-round — the DIY blueprint we reviewed is Joseph's Well.
Garden beds, rainwater sizing, pantry days-of-supply and the weekly rhythm — free spreadsheet, straight to your inbox.