On Thu, 9 Nov 2006 15:21:49 -0500, "Proctologically Violated©®"
wrote:

Anyone do this, in barrels?
Simple enough, in principle....
Just wondering about tricks, logistics, using gravity vs. pumps to
redistribute the water, how you use it (lawn only, or bring inside the
house), etc.
I have 10 downspouts, and could conceivably remove my water meter
altogether, w/ a system like this.

'Course, if I did install it, and disconnected my water meter, you can bet
NY would have the longest goddamm drought in recorded history.
Like the snow we're gonna get.... cuz my snow blower is broken....

In this country(Australia) it is starting to become quite normal
practice for suburban houses to have anything up to 10,000 ltre (2000
gal)? rainwater tanks.I have two 5000 litre tanks. It is mostly used
for gardening but some systems are connected up to flush toilets or
was clothes. Few use them for drinking water althought it can be done
safely. Many rural properties rely entirely on tankwater.

Most systems include a diverter valve to send the first flush from the
roof to waste so that the tank does not get contaminated with leaves,
dust , bird droppings etc. You may also want to think about a fine
mesh covering on the tank to keep out mosquitos etc. , you don't want
to become the neighbourhood mosquito rangler.

Unless you are very lucky with your site layout you will probably need
some sort of pump to distribute the water. Often you can get away with
something cheap because you don't really need a lot of pressure.

The metric system makes it easy to work out the collection rates -
1mm of rain over 1 sq meter of roof delivers 1 litre of water. A quick
and not very good mental conversion would guesstimate 1/10th inch over
10sq feet should produce about 1/2 gallon. You' beter check that for
yourself.

Google on" rainwater tanks australia" there is lots of good
information.