If collected from your rooftop, rainwater contains traces of organic material. While the water is very clean and should run clear, it has been exposed to anything on your roof. We’re not talking about chunks (these get pre-filtered out on their way into properly-designed rain barrels)–we’re just talking about contact exposure to leaf litter, pollen, bird droppings and the like (which perhaps not surprisingly are great for your plants). A rain barrel hosts a beneficial biology to keep the water alive – literally. It’s like a light application of fertilizer every time you water. But would amount of chemicals from old trash barrels of much significance, esp. after many refillings?
I was given two more barrels by a brother in Christ which I added to the collection. $12.00 1100GPH (before hose restrictions) 12V immersible pump, attached to vacuum cleaner hoses, powered by covered PC power supply, pumps water from first barrel to others. No need to cover yet. Plus another brother gave me a roll of water permeable ground coverings (at top of image to right. Praise and bless the Lord.
