Where did you get your rain barrel design?

Good question! Now for the answers:

The barrel

The idea of using a recycled plastic food grade drum as the base for a rain barrel is pretty common among the DIY community. For the record, it is also recommended by the following guide to making your rain barrel:

Environmental Protection Agency. 2009. How Can I Make A Rain Barrel?

Overflow outlet and discharge hose

Sharon England of Skyjuice New England tipped us off to the fact that our original 3/4″ overflow outlet might be in need of an upgrade. A visit to the local hardware store revealed the perfect solution: a sump pump hose (basically a 1 1/2″ X 25′ plastic hose). This part is also recommended by the following “Make your own rain barrel” plans:

Alabama Rain Catchers. Make a Rain Barrel

Upper Tennessee River Roundtable, Inc. How to build and install a rain barrel

University of Rhode Island. How to build and install a rain barrel

Spigot

The idea of using a boiler drain as a spigot is prevalent in the literature on rain barrel construction. Just a few examples:

City of Bremerton. How to Make Your Own Rain Barrel

City of Chicago. Make your own rain barrel

Screen

No project is complete until you’ve thrown in the kitchen sink. Not having one handy, we opted for a low cost wire mesh sink strainer. This idea has been used before:

Monroe County Conservation District. Converting a used plastic rain barrel into a rain barrel