Gear Review — Rainwater Collection
A rain barrel is one of the simplest ways to extend your household's water independence. Here is what actually matters when choosing one — and the three setups worth owning.
Before you buy
As of 2026, collecting rainwater is legal in all 50 states. The persistent myth that it is illegal most places is simply wrong. The vast majority of states impose no restrictions whatsoever. Three states have minor limitations:
Colorado 110-gallon cap
Households may collect up to 110 gallons (two 55-gallon barrels) without a permit. Collection must be from a residential rooftop for use on the same property.
Utah 2,500-gallon cap with registration
Up to 2,500 gallons per household with a free online registration through the Division of Water Rights. Effectively unrestricted for residential barrel use.
Nevada Minor restrictions
Permits required for larger collection systems. Residential barrel-scale collection is generally permitted; confirm with your county before installing.
All other states: unrestricted. Many states — including Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida — actively encourage rain barrel installation and offer rebates through water utilities. Check your local utility for rebate programs before purchasing; the barrel may cost you nothing out of pocket.
Setting expectations
One inch of rain falling on 1,000 square feet of roof produces approximately 600 gallons of runoff. A single downspout typically drains 300 to 600 square feet of roof. That means a single modest rain event — half an inch on a 600 square foot roof section — generates roughly 180 gallons. A 50-gallon barrel fills completely in less than a tenth of an inch of rain on most residential roof sections.
The limiting factor is almost never rainfall volume. It is barrel capacity. One barrel is a starting point. Two linked barrels double your capture without adding complexity. For serious water independence, a 55-gallon drum converted with a diverter kit gives you the same capacity at a fraction of the retail barrel price.
600
gallons from 1" rain on 1,000 sq ft roof
~1,400
gallons saved per year with one 50-gal barrel in average US rainfall
1–3 yr
typical payback period through reduced water bills
Side by side
All three are BPA-free polyethylene, UV-stabilized, and intended for garden and outdoor use — not drinking water without treatment.
| Option | Capacity | Linkable? | Diverter included? | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTS Home Accents | 50 gal | Yes | No (sold separately) | ~$80–110 | Best all-around value |
| FCMP Raincatcher 4000 | 50 gal | Yes | Overflow kit included | ~$100–130 | Most complete out-of-box setup |
| EarthMinded DIY Kit + drum | 55 gal | With extra fittings | FlexiFit diverter included | ~$60–90 total | Most storage per dollar |
The full reviews
~$80–110
50-gallon barrel
The RTS Home Accents rain barrel is the benchmark for residential rain collection, and the reason is straightforward: it does everything a barrel needs to do at the best price in its category. The flat-back profile sits flush against a house wall, directly under a shortened downspout. The brass spigot — not the plastic spigot found on cheaper options — delivers a reliable, leak-free connection to a garden hose. The mesh screen at the top keeps out leaves, debris, and mosquitoes.
The oak barrel texture is molded into UV-stabilized polyethylene — it will not fade, crack, or rot. Linkable to additional RTS barrels through a side fitting for expanded capacity. The flat-back stand, included with some versions, raises the spigot height enough to fill a watering can beneath it without tilting the barrel. Multiple color options available; the barrel integrates well against most home exteriors.
One clear note: this barrel does not include a downspout diverter. You will need either a diverter kit (the EarthMinded FlexiFit at $25–30 is the most compatible option) or a shortened downspout directing water in at the top. Factor this into your total system cost.
Works well for:
Most households starting their first rain collection system. Anyone who wants a finished, presentable barrel at a reasonable price. Homeowners with HOA guidelines about visible equipment — the barrel blends well against a house wall.
Worth knowing:
Diverter not included — budget an additional $25–30 for an EarthMinded FlexiFit or similar. Drain and store before first hard frost. Some versions ship without stand; confirm before purchasing if stand height matters for your watering can. Available at Home Depot, Walmart, and online.
Affiliate link — small commission, no cost to you
~$100–130
50-gallon barrel
The FCMP Raincatcher 4000 has been in production for close to 30 years, with over 375,000 units sold across North America. That track record matters for a product you are installing outdoors and leaving in place for years. FCMP is a Canadian manufacturer with a long history in outdoor composting and rain collection products.
Where it earns the premium over the RTS barrel: the Raincatcher 4000 ships with a garden hose, overflow hose, linking kit, and all necessary hardware to connect multiple barrels in series. The side spigots are designed for barrel-to-barrel linking without additional fittings. If you anticipate expanding to two or three barrels over time, the FCMP system makes that expansion cleaner than retrofitting the RTS.
The flat-back design sits against the house wall. The wide top opening accepts direct downspout alignment or a diverter. UV-inhibited, BPA-free polyethylene construction. At $100 to $130, it costs more than the RTS barrel but less than the price difference once you factor in the hardware the FCMP includes.
Works well for:
Households that want a complete system without shopping for additional hardware. Anyone planning to link two or more barrels — the FCMP system handles expansion more cleanly than most competitors. The 30-year production history is meaningful reassurance for replacement parts availability.
Worth knowing:
Still requires a downspout diverter or shortened downspout — the overflow kit manages water leaving the barrel, not water entering from the gutter. Drain before first frost. Available at Home Depot and online retailers. Multiple colors available.
Affiliate link — small commission, no cost to you
~$60–90
complete system (diverter + drum)
The EarthMinded AquaBarrel FlexiFit is not a rain barrel — it is a diverter kit that turns any barrel into one. Paired with a locally sourced food-grade 55-gallon drum ($20 to $50 at beverage distributors, restaurants, or online), it delivers 55 gallons of rainwater storage for $60 to $90 total — roughly half the price of either retail barrel above.
The FlexiFit diverter is the key piece. It fits 2×3" and 3×4" downspouts — the two most common residential profiles — and requires no cutting or permanent modification to the gutter system. When the barrel is full, water automatically reroutes down the original downspout. Penn State Extension research has noted that reversible diverter systems tend to be maintained longer precisely because installation commits you to nothing permanent.
The tradeoff is setup effort and aesthetics. You will need to add a spigot, a debris screen, and an overflow port to the drum yourself. A food-grade 55-gallon drum in its original blue or white does not blend into a garden the way a molded barrel texture does. For a garage, utility side yard, or any location where appearance is secondary, the value case is compelling. The diverter itself is also a worthy purchase on its own — it is the best universal diverter for retrofitting any existing barrel.
Works well for:
Anyone comfortable with a simple DIY setup. Households on tight budgets who want maximum water storage for minimum cost. Retrofitting an existing barrel or drum. Garages, utility yards, and locations where appearances do not matter.
Worth knowing:
The FlexiFit diverter alone is worthwhile even if you buy a retail barrel — it handles overflow more reliably than most barrel-integrated overflow systems. Food-grade drums are available locally at beverage distributors, food service suppliers, and restaurant supply stores — often $20 to $30 for a clean drum. You will need a spigot bung adapter (~$10) and a drill to install it. The diverter itself is ~$25–30 on Amazon.
Affiliate link — small commission, no cost to you
Worth adding
A standard rain barrel catches everything the downspout delivers. That includes the first flush of a rainstorm — the water that runs off your roof after washing away accumulated bird droppings, dust, atmospheric particulates, and whatever is on your roofing material. Research indicates this first flush carries the majority of rooftop contaminants.
A first-flush diverter is a separate inline device installed on the downspout above the barrel inlet. It automatically diverts the first one to two gallons of each rainstorm — the contaminated portion — away from the barrel. Once the diverter chamber fills, subsequent cleaner water flows into the barrel as normal. No action required on your part.
Do you need one?
Yes, worth adding if you are using barrel water on edible garden beds, have significant bird traffic on your roof, or live near a road with significant vehicle exhaust particulate.
Standard screen is adequate if you are using barrel water exclusively on ornamental plants, lawn, or for car washing.
Either way: rain barrel water requires treatment before drinking. A first-flush diverter improves water quality for garden use but does not make the water potable.
A quality first-flush diverter runs $25 to $50 and installs in under an hour. The EarthMinded Rain Director and the Oatey Mystic are two frequently recommended options. Both fit standard residential downspout profiles.
Installation
Choose your downspout
Pick a downspout that drains a large roof section and is close to where you plan to use the water. Longer hose runs require more elevation — raise the barrel on a stable platform (concrete blocks or a purchased stand) to increase water pressure at the spigot.
Install the diverter or shorten the downspout
A downspout diverter (recommended) clips onto the existing downspout without cutting. Alternatively, cut the downspout short enough to direct water into the barrel's top screen. The diverter handles overflow automatically; a cut downspout does not.
Position and level the barrel
The barrel must be level and on a firm, stable surface. An uneven or soft base causes the barrel to tip when full. At 50 gallons, a full barrel weighs over 400 pounds — it is not movable once filled.
Connect overflow
Every barrel needs an overflow path for when it fills. Direct the overflow hose away from the foundation — a minimum of six feet is the standard building guideline. Connecting to a second barrel is the most efficient overflow solution.
Winterize before first frost
Drain completely, open all spigots, disconnect the downspout diverter, and store the barrel upside down or indoors. Water expands when it freezes — a sealed barrel with water in it will crack.
Common questions
Legal in all 50 states. Colorado limits collection to 110 gallons per household. Utah allows 2,500 gallons with free online registration. Nevada has minor restrictions. All other states are unrestricted, and many offer utility rebates for installation.
A first-flush diverter automatically discards the first one to two gallons of a rainstorm — the portion that carries rooftop contaminants including bird droppings, dust, and roofing residue. For edible garden use or roofs with significant bird traffic, it is a worthwhile $25 to $50 upgrade. For ornamental or lawn use only, a standard mesh screen is generally adequate.
A single downspout typically drains 300 to 600 square feet of roof. At one inch of rain per 1,000 square feet producing approximately 600 gallons, a 50-gallon barrel fills completely from less than a tenth of an inch of rain on most residential roof sections. Barrel capacity, not rainfall, is almost always the limiting factor.
Not without treatment. Rooftop collection picks up bird droppings, atmospheric particulates, roofing material residue, and potential PFAS from coated roofing materials. Rain barrel water is appropriate for garden irrigation, lawn watering, and car washing. In an emergency, treat collected rainwater through a gravity filter and chemical treatment before drinking.
Before first frost: drain the barrel completely, disconnect the downspout diverter, open all spigots, and store the barrel indoors or upside down. A barrel with water left in it will crack when the water freezes and expands. Most barrels tolerate outdoor storage through winter if empty.
Affiliate disclosure
This page contains Amazon Associates affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, New World Survival earns a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence which products are included or how they are ranked. See our full Affiliate Disclosure.
Keep going
Rainwater Collection Guide
Legal overview, roof types, first-flush diverters, treatment, and state-by-state rules.
Best Water Storage Containers
WaterBrick, Aqua-Tainer, Scepter — indoor water storage compared.
Emergency Water Storage
How much to store, rotation schedules, and 55-gallon drum setup.
Water Preparedness Hub
The complete water domain — storage, filtration, treatment, well preparedness.