Comparison of Rainwater Storage Containers
What type of barrel is best for you? Listed below are the advantages and disadvantages of various types of collection and storage containers available.
Recycled Polyethylene Drums
Advantages
Inexpensive |
Portable |
Can be painted |
|
Durable if UV protected |
Easy to clean with lid |
Can increase capacity linking drums together |
|
No leaks if fittings are welded |
Minimizes algae growth with lid |
No leaks if bulkhead fittings are used |
|
Lids keep out small animals |
Mosquito resistant with lid |
Food grade drums are available |
|
Lightweight |
Lids keep out rodents and birds |
Easy to convert to a rain barrel |
New Polyethylene Drum and
Tanks
Advantages
|
History of use is known |
Portable |
Choice of colors |
|
Durable if UV protected |
Easy to clean and maintain with lid |
Can increase capacity linking tanks together |
|
No leaks if fittings are welded |
Minimizes algae growth with lid |
Choice of size and capacity |
|
Lids keep out small animals |
Mosquito resistant with lid |
|
|
Lightweight |
Lids keep out rodents and birds |
Wooden Barrel
Advantages
|
Durable |
Attractive |
Redwood requires no treatment |
Recycled Metal
Drums
Advantages
|
Inexpensive |
Portable |
Easy to clean if no solid top |
|
Durable if rust-proof |
Recycled Polyethylene Drums
Disadvantages
|
Choice of color is limited, but can be painted |
Choice of size is limited |
History of use may be unknown |
|
Durability issues if not UV protected |
Difficult to clean if solid top |
Open tops promotes algae growth |
|
Open tops allows mosquito breeding |
Open top is a hazard for children |
Open top is a hazard for animals |
|
Residual smell |
Lids are difficult to make for open tops |
Limited to cylindrical shape |
New Polyethylene Drum and
Tanks
Advantages
|
Light colors allow algae growth |
Can be expensive |
Durability issues if not UV protected |
|
Thin tanks allow algae growth with any color |
Difficult to clean if solid top |
Open tops promotes algae growth |
|
Open tops allows mosquito breeding |
Open top is a hazard for children |
Open top is a hazard for animals |
Recycled Metal Drums
Disadvantages
|
Choice of color is limited |
Choice of size is limited |
History of use may be unknown |
|
Residual foul taste and smell |
Difficult to clean if solid top |
Open tops promotes algae growth |
|
Open tops allows mosquito breeding |
Open top is a hazard for children |
Open top is a hazard for animals |
|
Metal tanks rust |
Unattractive |
Bulkhead fittings prone to leaking |
|
Limited to cylindrical shape |
Lids are difficult to make |
No normally FDA food rated |
Wooden Barrel
Disadvantages
|
Expensive |
Heavy |