Rain Barrel owners/users

[RNajarian]

For those of you that harvest rain in rain barrels to use over the summer . . . do you put any chemicals (chlorine) in the barrel to prevent growth during the hot summers?

Or is it even an issue?

[flatbutt]

I use mine to irrigate my garden so no chlorine or anything else.

[RNajarian]

Is bacterial growth, “slime” an issue?

[flatbutt]

I've not had any issue but the barrel is in the sun.

[RNajarian]

I’ve got three. One in mostly sun, one in partial sun one in complete shade. I’ll have a bacterial growth report for anyone interested by October 2021.

[GH85Carrera]

We have one. My wife just waters some of the plants in the back yard koi pond area and on the back porch. Any Slime ain’t gonna hurt the plants. I would not want to drink that water. It is all run off from the roof, into the gutters, into the barrel.

[john70t]

Some of my neighbors have them.
I've also considered them but not acted yet due to lazyness and engineering/design.

There is a reduction in our city water costs due to sewer runoff being diverted from storm drains.

Having an emergency supply available might be beneficial to some.

[Evans, Marv]

As an alternative to chlorine, I pour a quart of bleach (the kind without the smell) in my 10K gal. water tank on an approximate yearly basis to prevent algae buildup. I would imagine a thimble full might be about right for a barrel.

[RNajarian]

Great idea Marv, the barrels are 58 gallons so I’ll do the math.

[beran earms]

I agree with Marv. A little bleach is an ok idea. Our issue here in the north east is an open barrel is prime breading grounds for mosquito larvae. So we use barrels to collect and pour it in a maple sap collection tank with a cover.

[oldE]

When I drain the barrel in the fall I see a bit of green stuff, but since we only use the water for the garden, it is not a problem.

Best
Les

[masraum]

Originally Posted by beran earms

I agree with Marv. A little bleach is an ok idea. Our issue here in the north east is an open barrel is prime breading grounds for mosquito larvae. So we use barrels to collect and pour it in a maple sap collection tank with a cover.

I don't have one, but I've seen a few, and they are usually covered/sealed. I think the models that I've seen have a gutter that is piped into the bucket, not open to the air.

[cabmandone]

I'm curious, if you're not drinking the water why are you concerned with algae growth?

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by beran earms

I agree with Marv. A little bleach is an ok idea. Our issue here in the north east is an open barrel is prime breading grounds for mosquito larvae. So we use barrels to collect and pour it in a maple sap collection tank with a cover.

I use a tablespoon of olive oil spread out on the surface of the water periodically. So far no skeeters.

[911 Rod]

I just pulled ours out of the boathouse after the winter and found a dead mouse in it from I assume the summer before. I still gage thinking about the smell.

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I'm curious, if you're not drinking the water why are you concerned with algae growth?

I don’t plan on using it as potable water. However, in the event of the “Big One” (earthquake) I’d like to keep my options open. I have military grade filters that you can use to make questionable water potable but you never know how it will be until long safe water from the city can be restored after an event.

My barrels have lids and screens to keep mosquitos out.

[beran earms]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

I use a tablespoon of olive oil spread out on the surface of the water periodically. So far no skeeters.

I assume the oil creates a barrier they can't break thru' ? Nice idea, Does it create an even film?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by beran earms

I assume the oil creates a barrier they can't break thru' ? Nice idea, Does it create an even film?

oil was/is used for malaria prevention. It spreads out and "seals" the surface of the water which is an issue for mosquitos and their larva. It should create an even film by spreading out to cover the top of the water.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by beran earms

I assume the oil creates a barrier they can't break thru' ? Nice idea, Does it create an even film?

Originally Posted by masraum

oil was/is used for malaria prevention. It spreads out and "seals" the surface of the water which is an issue for mosquitos and their larva. It should create an even film by spreading out to cover the top of the water.

yes. The larvae suspend themselves from the surface in order to breathe so the oil stops that.

[GH85Carrera]

Our rain barrel has a lid, and screen in the center to let it breath. No insects can get in. We can unscrew the lid and take a look, but it is just water with some debris from the gutter and dirt that settled on the roof on windy days. I imagine if boiled it would be safe for humans to drink. One of our dogs seems to love drinking some it the dripping from the hose my wife uses to fill up a pitcher she waters the flowers with.

The entire barrel is made from an old food safe barrel. Just a few holes poked and a catch trap on the guttering that catches some water.