A rain barrel will cost $2,600 on average, depending on size. Most spend between $200 and $5,000.
Rainwater harvesting isn’t just good for the environment—it’s good for your home. This landscaping tip helps prevent basement flooding by reducing stormwater runoff. It can also reduce your water bill by anywhere from 40% to as much as 55%. Of course, the benefits depend on your rainwater harvesting system and how you want to use the water you collect.
Larger rainwater systems like underground cisterns can hold more than 6,000 gallons of water, but if you’re looking for something entry-level, look no further than a rain barrel. Rain barrels are so simple to install that you can start collecting rainwater tomorrow (as long as the weather report agrees). How much does a rain barrel cost? Let’s take a look.
Most rain barrels cost between $0.50 to $4.00 per gallon, and most homeowners opt for a 40- to 60-gallon barrel. Rain barrels are simple rainwater harvesting systems that collect the stormwater that would otherwise roll off your roof and end up in a storm drain. All you have to do is place it under a gutter downspout. Typical prices are as follows:
| Rain Barrel Size In Gallons | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 40 | $20–$160 |
| 60 | $30–$240 |
| 80 | $40–$320 |
Not all cities and counties allow for rainwater collection, so it’s important to check your local government’s environmental or health departments before going through with installation. Rainwater is considered in some areas property of the state and therefore can place regulations on how much (if any) gets collected.
On the flip side, some states encourage or provide government incentives to collect rainwater. The U.S. Department of Energy has a Rainwater Harvesting Regulations map that you can use to check for state-level rules.
Rain barrel systems typically consist of a plastic drum (though it can be wood or steel), PVC couplings, a hose, and a screen that keeps insects and debris out of the water. They’re usually significantly less expensive than other rainwater harvesting methods, but costs can add up if your home doesn’t have an adequate gutter. Here’s how installation costs breakdown:
You can purchase a rainwater barrel online or at your local hardware store. Most homeowners opt for a barrel that holds 40 to 60 gallons of water and spend around $140. Some people choose to make their own barrel out of a large plastic drum, but if your rainwater will be used for drinking or bathing you’ll want to make sure the interior is sterile.
To harvest rainwater with a rain barrel, you need a gutter downspout properly placed above the drum. Gutter installation costs on average $1,100 or $4 to $30 per square foot.
According to the EPA, homeowners use 30% to 70% of their water outdoors. For this reason, some people choose to cut water usage by installing a sprinkler system that works with their rain barrel. The cost of a sprinkler system is usually around $2,525.
Homeowners with very large rain barrels may choose to install a water filtration system so they can drink the water that’s collected. A whole-house water filtration system costs on average $1,000 to $4,000.
Many rainwater barrels are plug-and-play, but if you need extensive work done, you’re looking at an average cost of $45 to $200 per hour for a plumber or contractor.
Following the initial installation costs, keep in mind the following ongoing costs to keep your rain barrels in working order.
You’ll need to keep your gutters clean to ensure clean water collection. The cost of a gutter cleaning is around $160. If you have a filtration system, you can expect to spend $250 per year on new UV bulbs and filters. You’ll also need to occasionally clean out your barrel, but costs are limited to a little soap and elbow grease.
Your rain barrel is not “set it and forget it.” Rainwater can collect metals, minerals, and bacteria as it flows through your gutters and into your rain barrel. Especially if you’re using your collected water for consumption or irrigation, you’ll want to test regularly to ensure it’s safe for use. You can find at-home testing kits for around $30 to $200, depending on what you want to test for.
Additionally, depending on what you find from testing, you may need to pay for water treatment to ensure your collected rainwater doesn’t go to waste. Depending on the level of contamination, you can boil the water. But in cases of high contamination, you may need to consider purchasing a water filtration kit or invest in chemical disinfectants geared towards water quality.
Most homeowners don’t need to hire a professional contractor to install a rain barrel—especially if they purchase a rainwater collection kit. If you do the job yourself, you could wind up paying less than $200. It depends on the system and your home.
When it comes down to it, you probably don’t want to install your own gutters unless you really know what you’re doing. You might save a buck, but you could end up creating an expensive problem (hello, accidental leaks and flooding). Some rainwater harvesting systems (like underground cisterns or wet collection systems) are even more difficult to install and require excavation and plumbing work. It’s a job best left to a top-rated local plumber.
Avoid add-on features and opt for a smaller unit, so you can get started for less than $200. To save money on a rain barrel, install a ready-to-use kit. These are typically available at hardware stores and include the main components you need to get started (think: the barrel, the cover or lid, a screen, and an overflow mechanism).
Rain barrel water is more commonly used for yard work, but some people install filtration systems to transform rainwater into potable water.
Most homeowners choose a 55-gallon barrel, but it depends on your climate and water needs. A small barrel can flood with just one inch of rain. If you have a 1,000-square foot roof, you can collect 225 gallons of water with just a half-inch of rain.
If you’re drinking the water, you can store it indefinitely as long as you properly treat it and your container doesn’t break down. Without any treatment system, you should only leave rainwater in a rain barrel for up to four weeks. If you’re using the water on your garden or lawn, you can store your water until algae start to grow.
Depending on your needs, disadvantages to having a rain barrel include not harvesting enough water and risk of contamination. If you live in a region that doesn’t get much rain, you’ll experience dry spells when you may have to supplement your water supply from somewhere else. Evaporation is also a risk during time of high heat, meaning your collected rainwater will slowly decrease.
