The Ultimate Rain Barrel Irrigation System

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS/IMPROVEMENTS:

Since posting this video, many recurring questions have arisen in three areas:

1) POWER OUTAGE
In the event of a power outage, the auto-refilling solenoid would be in the "open" position. This potentially wastes some water as the barrels would fill and overflow into the downspout system until the power is restored or the backfilling line is shut down. In the event of a power outage I would a) turn off the re-filler line at the spigot, 2) if I am away, I receive text messages when my power goes out and my neighbors know how to shut off the backup hose, or 3) an automated solution.

There is a simple automated solution for the power outage issue. Put a second solenoid on the hose backup water line and powered by the house main power (prior to the float swich, etc) which is in the open position when powered. In this case, when the main house power goes out, the solenoid flips to the closed position -- problem easily solved.

2) OPTIMIZING RAINWATER COLLECTION - REDUCING HOSE WATER
In the current configuration, with the float switch in the second barrel, the backup system fills the first barrel and about 25% of the second barrel before it shuts down. This provides about 2 days of "hose" water in the event the barrels run dry. If I were trying to minimize the hose water and keep the maximum capacity available for future rainwater, the best option is, rather than filling the barrel with the hose backup system, plumb the backup system directly into the feed after the pump, going to the garden irrigation system (bypassing the barrels completely). In this case, if the barrels are empty, the pump shuts down, the refiller solenoid opens and the house water pressure pumps directly into the garden irrigation system, downstream of the barrels and pumps.

ABOUT THIS VIDEO

This continuously running rain barrel irrigation system optimizes rainwater usage but also employs an innovative hose water back up system that keeps the system running when the barrels run dry.

I worked on perfecting this system for 10 years. It is the ultimate rain barrel irrigation system, in my opinion. The system includes:

Part 1: Rainwater Collection:
- 2 barrel system
- Seasonal diverter
- Overflow to downspout


Part 2: Pump System
- On-demand electric pump
- 45 psi
- DC / Solar Option

Part 3: Irrigation and Filtration
- 2 -stage filtration system
- Underground feed to garden
- Micro-drip irrigation system
- Automatic shutoff

Part 4: Backup Refill System
- Automatic hose water backup system

If you like this video, please subscribe to my channel, "Don't Screw It Up" for more videos like this!

Tom Cucuzza
Don't Screw It Up!
Cleveland, Ohio

PRODUCTS USED IN THIS VIDEO

75 Gallon Rain Barrels (from Gardener's Supply)

Sections in this video:

0:00 Introduction
4:10 System Overview Diagram
4:53 Part 1 - Rainwater Collection
7:45 Part 2 - The Pump System
10:01 Do I need a pump?
11:36 The Float Switch
14:00 Part 3 - Filtration and Irrigation
18:50 Part 4 - Backup Refill System

[maidbloke]

Before watching: "I'm not spending 25 minutes watching all of this."
25 minutes later: "That was fantastic!"
Well done, great project and very well explained.

[vinceagnes]

I’ve probably watched 50 rain barrel videos and picked up tips to apply to my system. This presentation is the most comprehensive presentation I’ve seen! The pump installation is a great idea. The entire system is simple, yet covers all contingencies. Thank for the great presentation.

[josephbarbaro]

Great system I built it with 2 - 275 Totes. My System has 2 zones 1 for the Garden and 1 for 200 Blueberry plants. I added a 1st flush system which gets anything that’s on the roof before it gets to the 1st screen. I also added an air vacuum relief valve on the highest point in the garden and in the blueberries to relieve any vacuum in the lines. PS this was a retirement project- I’m 72

[MsCmsh]

Wow! Just brilliant and well thought out!! I watched the whole video and paid attention to everything you said like I was in a lecture with my professor! Now, I really want one for my yard. Got to do some more home work and start working!! Thanks for sharing the fruit of all your hard work!! God bless you and your family!! 👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼😀

[colkelwil]

Thank you for this video. Your content is excellent.
I was thinking, "geez I know that voice... of course! He's my go-to sourdough guru. You wear many hats my friend, and you wear them well! ❣️

[Maximeaucoin]

If somebody told me that I would spend 25 minutes listening to a rainwater irrigation system video and find it fascinating AND funny, I wouldn’t have believed him! I’m building mine up next weekend. And yes, the float switch is the brains of the whole operation!

[BLACKSCORPIONKNIGHT]

9/10 I love the system. the redundancy is awesome. my onle concern is power failure may cause flooding from the redundancy system.

[dansmonjardin_ca]

Tom, thank you for the great job at building your system, explain it in detail and most importantly sharing it!
You made my gardening season the more enjoyable!

[Dope_Digital]

Nice! You should do a 3 years later update. Issues, tweeks, advice..

[becktribe]

This is the best rain barrel video I've ever seen. Great job and thank you.

[ecenithlevae]

Thank you : we in BC Canada are in a level 5 drought now. Well owners have the same responsibilities, as those under water restrictions in the towns and municipalities, to conserve water.
I was super interested that you use a float switch as one is also used with the pump in my second tank of my yard anaerobic “ whitewater “ system. I’m very familiar as I’ve serviced or replaced both the pump and float switch, therefore I’m confident that I can try the system that you’ve devised and so kindly shared 😊 Great video !

[BobSmith-ghwj]

Wow nice video - very informative and entertaining as well ! This must be the first video in the history of YouTube that someone who has posted a video and have answered and responded to almost ALL of veiwers comments and questions - Well done - CHEERS!!!

[fwtailchaser]

You caught me off guard laughing so hard “ My tomato plants probably know the difference between rain water and hose water”. Thank you for the video. This is exactly what I am looking for. Thank you!

[afishnsea]

Awesome video. One tip- you're only going to get a maximum of 1 psi for every 2.31 feet of elevation difference. That is without head loss, so to get 45 psi you'd need to build 100+ ft high rain barrels 😂

[merlewarnsholz]

Great project. Well explained - the flow chart says it all. The only thing I would have done differently would be to put the overflow connection between the barrels at the bottom rather than the top. That way you can keep an even level of water between the two barrels. Otherwise this is an excellently designed system. You put a lot of thought into this project, and I commend you for your efforts.

[AndrewBresciano]

Well produced video. My only question, is what happens if you lose power to your house during a storm or outage. I think your backup system is going to fill your barrels non stop and then overflow out until power is restored.

[mkh]

The garden may be well watered, but the humor is bone dry. Thanks for this walk through, exactly what I am putting together now!

[tooshieg]

This design is genius and you sire do a fantastic job of explaining it. Very inspirational. I honestly believe i can do this after watching you. Thank you so much. You are a valuable resource.

[russwoodward]

Great stuff! Lots of usable and tested ideas. I use a lot of the same connectors and hose types for our property. Many thanks.

[fern]

I wish Youtube had 2 like buttons. This is what I've been looking for. Thank you so much for posting this.