A typical rain barrel will include an inlet connected to a downspout, a screen, an overflow pipe, and a spigot at or near the bottom of the barrel. Rain barrels are often made of plastic, metal, wood, stone, or clay.
- Downspouts carry water from the gutters to the rain barrel storage.
- Water enters the rain barrel through the inlet.
- The screen of the rain barrel keeps mosquitos and other insects out of the water supply.
- The overflow mechanism releases excess rainwater. Overflow should direct rainwater into pervious surfaces like gardens for irrigation or can connect to adjacent rain barrels.
- The spigot allows access to the water stored in the barrel. The spigot can be kept open to retain water from the barrel or closed to store more water.