HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN RAIN BARREL

The City of Rensselaer supports residential use of rain barrels to promote water conservation. Volumes of information on describing the benefits of rain barrels as well as various designs can be found online.  Below is just one design that con be followed to begin saving money, improve your residence and help protect our water resources. You can put yours together for about $30. 
Tips for using your rain barrel 
Do not use collected water for drinking, cooking or bathing. 
Keep lid secure so children or animals cannot fall in.  
Drain before winter. Attach for use in early spring.  
Elevate your rain barrel to allow greater water flow and make access to the spigot easier.  
The screened louver vent will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your barrel.  

Consider joining multiple barrels for additional capacity!  
Step 1 
1. Use a 6" hole saw, a saber saw, a keyhole saw or a drywall saw to cut a perfectly round 6” hole on the top of your barrel. 
2. Drill two holes with a 29/32” drill bit, one towards the top for an overflow and one towards the bottom of the barrel for the faucet.  
3. Next use a 3/4" NPT pipe tap and twist it into the upper 29/32" hole, then untwist the tap and back it out of the hole, then repeat the same process for the lower 29/32" hole. 
4. Rinse barrel out thoroughly- it previously had a food product in it.      

Step 2 
1.	Twist threaded side of hose adapter into 3/4" threaded hole towards top of the barrel. 
2.	Prepare threaded side of brass faucet; wrap tightly with teflon tape, make 4 or 5 rotations until all threads are covered; or apply a thin ribbon of Kitchen and Bath All Purpose Adhesive Caulk, or similar sealant. 
3.	Twist the threaded, prepared end of the faucet into 3/4" threaded hole at bottom of barrel. 

Step 3 
1. Cover 6" hole in the top by placing 6" louvered screen onto the barrel with louvered side up and screen side down.  
2. Slide a hose onto hose adapter at top of barrel to direct overflow water away from your home.  
3. Place 2 concrete blocks under selected downspout as a raised base.  
4. Cut your downspout about 4" above the top of the barrel, add an elbow, and make any final adjustments to the base and barrel.  
5. Add a hose on the faucet or keep it available to fill a watering can. 
6. Secure your rain barrel to the house with aluminum banding & screws. 
7. Enjoy your rainbarrel! 

What You’ll Need: 
Drill 66" Hole Saw 629/32" Drill Bit 63/4" Pipe Tap 
Louvered Screen 63/4" Brass Faucet 6Teflon Tape or All Purpose Caulk 
3/4" Hose Adapter 6Plumbers Pipe Strap and Deck Screws 

For more information about other conservation solutions, consult the City of Rensselaer’s Planning Department website at rensselaerny.gov/Departments/PlanningBuilding.aspx.