Why harvest rain water? The world is 2/3 water is it not? True, it is, but Sam Davidson at CoolPeopleCare.org cites a fact from RainBarrelGuide.com that less than 3/10 of one percent of that water is suitable for domestic use. Don't you think we could find better uses for the commodity of fresh water (which we take for granted in this country) than to water our plants or wash our cars?
Recently, I posted a two part article here at The Fun Times Guide to Living Green that shared 3 Alternatives to Drinking Bottled Water [part 1, part 2]. Part Two, introduced the idea of harvesting rain water for such purposes as landscape care and more. If you could have a rain barrel for less than $10 dollars (or even free), would you do it?
You may be thinking that it'd be pointless and take forever for, oh, let's say an eighty gallon barrel to fill with water to use. But did you know that one inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof can produce 6,000 gallons of rainwater? I sure didn't! This obviously means that any rain barrel is going to need an overflow hose.
Let's discover some cheap ways to obtain your very own rain barrel. These are all DIY projects, but are of a very basic nature. Virtually anyone should be able to complete them with ease.
Meredith at The Fun Times to Guide to Brentwood, TN commented on the second part to 3 Alternatives to Drinking Bottled Water with some quite handy information on this topic. She informs that Metro Nashville Water Services was giving away free rain barrel kits early this 
year! There is apparently a waiting list for the kit now, but check with them to see if some are still available. In the mean time, they do provide a handy guide to making your own rain barrel.
Many municipal governments offer free rain barrel kits of some sort, so check with your local governing body to see if they offer something of the sort.
Check with your local bottling company. Many of them sell their barrels for under $10. You may even luck out and find one for free! Then all that is left is to buy the inexpensive hardware from your local Home/Hardware store, and you're good to go!
One commenter on the above referenced article at CoolPeopleCare.org says, "Nashville Drum and Barrel has 55 gallon plastic drums (food grade) for $8 a piece." Nashville Drum and Barrel is in Fairview, TN. That drive would be worth it for an $8 barrel, considering the skyrocketing prices of pre-fab rain barrels at hardware stores and the internet.
Fun Rain Barrel Making Tip:
Get everyone involved by having a Rain Barrel Painting contest! Gather your children, family, friends, neighbors, and the like to make (unless you want to construct them all yourself) and paint your new rain barrels with low or no VOC paint!
Here's one example of a nicely decorated barrel (and another how-to guide for constructing it)...you might recognize it from the above bullets ;-).
No one wants to have an ugly white, green, or blue plastic drum disrupting their nicely landscaped lawn. Make this an opportunity to enhance your home's unique look and show your loved ones how fun it can be to Live Green!
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I would like to see how you made the rain barrel.
I bought a 55 gallon container from e-Bay for $10.00 in great shape. You have to pick it up from Southfield, MI (no shipping), but its the best price I have found.
I have had great luck finding 55 gal and 30 gal barrels at car wash places. Make sure to get the soap only ones, they have some with armor all stuff in them. I have just set up two 30 gal system and working on a 55gal system.
I found a guy on Craig's List (across from Ferndale H.S.) in Ferndale, MI that sells the barrels. He has a barrel in his front yard with a sign on it. He sells plain barrels for $20 and converted barrels for $35 (with a spigot and filter sock in the top). He also sells 250 gallon totes.
I got them from him a few weeks ago, but I have since forgotten his name and phone number. Perhaps you can find him listed on Craig's list. Hope that helps.
Did anyone find barrels in the Detroit, Flint area?
Hello I made one out of a $10.00 vinyl trashcan.
Steps and pictures are available if interested
yeah I'd love to see that! sounds like a great garden! can you drop a link on us here in the comments?
Dave's Barrel's here in San Antonio has empty 55 gallon Dr. Pepper syrup barrels for $15 each. We fit 6 in our Ford F150.
I didn't find any in the $15 range but I did find a guy selling them on craigs list for $25 for the barrel or $50 already made into a rain barrel. If you know of a better deal post it.
Did you find any barrels in KC?
Hi Paula:
Did you ever find inexpensive or free 55 gal plastic barrels for making a rain barrel in the KC area? Thanks, Melissa
I am looking for 55 gallon drums for rain barrels and compost tumblers in the Metro Detroit area. Free or nearly free would be great.
Janet,
I am also looking for rain barrels and live in the metro Detroit area. Did you ever find any?
Sue
Looking for 55-60 gallon food grade (rain) barrels in the Boone/Lenoir, NC area.
Cary, could you let me know where in Tampa? Have you tried to find any for free? Thanks! myname at gmail.com
I have a friend with a couple of car washes - he discards the barrels, in different sizes, I got a few from him. just looking for accessories Every town has a car wash! Worth the effort to ask. Wish I could find a whisky/wine barrel like Rod's.
Mary
I live in Pomona, N.Y(Rockland County) 35 minutes north o NYC.
I would love to know where I can get a very very reasonable rain barrel.
Poor retiree in Paige, TX about 45 miles east of Austin. Need cheap/free rain barrels. Help.
Would love some info on where to get these around Clinton or Davenport Iowa!
Looking for food grade screw on lid 55 gallon drums in or near central VA.
I am going to try Coke Bottling company in Richmond.
If you're looking for barrels in Portland, Oregon try The Yoshida Group. They sell food grade 55 gallon barrels for $10. In other areas, I would try calling around to other food/beverage processors, not just soda companies. :)
I have a truck which can haul at least 50 to 60 barrels depending on size. I live close to Roanoke,va. If someone can veryify the coke place I could make run periodically with other business.... probably transportation cost would be about $10 per barrel back to roanoke... I also have potential customers in Cville...
I live in the NRV and would be interested in getting a three or four barrels. Have you found a place near by?
Would like to know if you can freight 300 barrels (or more?) to C'ville from adamsburg PA,15611, but not for $10./barrel.
Would like to find barrels for making rain barrels for $10 to $15 in the greater kansas city area
I would like to offer to buy 55 Gal. food service barrels in good condition for 5.00 ea. I will pick up for this price up to 100 mile radius of Roanoke Virginia. (Helping to provide jobs in Virginia.)
I'm looking for barrels near Sarasota Florida if any sources are available
Did you find a Rain Barrel? I know a place in Tampa that has them for $15 each
Can you tell me where in Tampa that has the rain barrels for $15.
Thanks.
Wanted: food grade barrels
I am looking for at least 30 rain barrels in or around Roanoke, Virginia. They are for a college project to install rain barrels on a small part of the Hollins University campus.
I'd like to know where to get some in Tallahassee.
thanks.
David
I've found orange barrels just like the ones that are sold are actually bulk foods barrels that are being recycled. A local flea market sells them for $8.00 a piece. I found them on Craig's List here in Pittsburgh. After buying them I took them to a local hand spray car wash to clean them out. Now I'm looking for plans for the valves and i'm all set. Good Hunting. Bob Sebastian, Pittsburgh, PA
Hey bob, awesome idea to find barrels at a flea market! I'm sure they're readily available at many around the country!
looking for rain barrels in easley s.c
I am looking for barrels in the Houston/Humble area...any clues?
Yeah it turns out some lady from Cumberland whined and moaned because she couldnt set her alarm clock and get their early like the rest of us, so when she did finally arrive they were all gone. For some reason instead of Coca Cola telling her to shut the hell up as this is a '1st come 1st served basis' - uh ... no they gave her exclusive rights to come and get them. So next time anyone goes there, you can thank her for ruining it for the rest of us.
Here is a good tip on barrels - I tried Coke in Knoxville - no one returned my calls - I found out that car washes get these barrels with soap and they will usually give them away - I am picking up 2 today from a little car wash here - free so try that and if you are in Knoxville Call the County Stormwater Dept at 865-215-5861 - an article I read says they sell them for $5.00 - 55 Gallon Drums. Hope this helps.
Daniel, wow i hate when one person ruins it for everyone like that.
Lea, GREAT tip on how to get free/cheap barrels to make your own rain barrel! thanks a ton!
As of 7/22/08 when I called, CocaCola in Nashville no longer sells their barrels (I beleive they all go now to the Cumberland River Compact, who builds and sells finished rain barrels for about $40).
Looking to find an affordable barrel in the Houston area. Any ideas?
Any idea where I can get barrels in the Hampton Road, Virginia area?
any ideas of where to get barrels in the Detroit area?
sorry for the delay in getting your comment published and replied to Deb. We had some comment moderation issues.
Regarding your question: are there any bottling companies in your area? They seem to be the best place to start.
Michelle, I updated the contact information at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The 55 gallon drums are still only $6! yay!
Hope that helps!
can you update the info in this article for 2008. I've been trying to find free or low cost food-grade barrels for rain barrel creation. I've looked and called all over the Nashville-Murfreesboro area for months...to no avail!
great site Sue! thanks so much for sharing the link.
For Kits to turn your barrel into a rain barrel - check out aquabarrel.com - they have downspout filters and diverters too
great tip Rod. If you were to put a filter on that to use for drinking water, I'm sure it would taste like wine!
Be careful though, I've read that old whiskey barrels like to mold easily when they're not full of water. Keep an eye on that.
But you're right, I'm sure it looks very nice...especially if you had a craftsman style house or similar.
I re-use an old whiskey barrel from the local wine making shop - and use the water on my herb garden all summer long. Looks good against the house - gives it a Boston Quincy Market look.
Rod Borghese
http://www.BorgheseGardens.com