Eco-tote IBC Pallet Tote Rain Water Catchment

In an out of the way place on high ground something is starting to happen. Water catchment. Our modest 2 car garage flat roof is about 720 square feet. With 75-80 inches of rain a year here in the rain forest, that is over 8,294,400 cubic inches of water. Think we can fill this 300 gallon plus eco-tote IBC? I think we can.

For a little get-off-the-couch incentive, I think we need a little MATH to get us excited for this project. 720 square feet is what, about 103,680 square inches? Um, 720x144=103680, well ya, pretty much. So even an inch of rain is really 103,680 cubic inches coming off that roof. Cubic inches, wow, that is like one hundred thousand ice cubes melting our way. That is a lot of water. So how much water is that, if we had 80 inches of rain? How about 8,294,400 cubic inches. Anyone know how many gallons that is? So say that slowly, like the sporting announcers do. Ready? Ok, eight million, two hundred and ninety four thousand, four hundred cubic inches of water a year! That is 4800 cubic feet of water. If you think about that, a 10' by 10' by 8 foot high room (like a bed room) is only 800 cubic feet. We could float you out of your bed some night!

"Ready? Ok, eight million, two hundred and ninety four thousand, four hundred cubic inches of water off the garage alone!"

We still need to create a "first flush filter" and "diverter valve" and a "filter". We will need 2" to 3/4" parts also to convert from IBC Eco-Tote to garden hose also. We are counting on gravity feed.

Still doing research but I liked the PDF link below for a quick grasp of the basics. The best product I have seen is the Atlantic Water Gardens RHCRU Clean Rain Ultra. This product is three devices (Filter, First Flush and diverter) in one clean package.

You want to keep the sun off these totes for algae reduction and to keep the plastic from breaking down. And yes, 35,906.5 gallons per year is the correct answer. And as a side note: An 18x36 swimming pool is about 27,000 gallons.

We still need to buy or create a "first flush filter" a "downspout diverter valve" and a "downspout filter". We will need 2" to 3/4" parts also to convert from IBC Eco-Tote to garden hose also. We are counting on gravity feed.

1Visit the PDF for a quick overview of a catchment system.

2Search first flush filter on Amazon.

3Search downspout diverter valve on Amazon.

4Search downspout filter on Amazon.

5Watch the Atlantic Water Gardens Clean Rain Ultra video.

6Watch the Atlantic Water Gardens Clean Rain Ultra product page.

7Search Atlantic Water Gardens RHCRU Clean Rain Ultra on Amazon.