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
Here is the solenoid I use. I bought mine on eBay (new). https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-Brass-So...

Pump (From Northern Tool). https://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...

Float Switch (from Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082J71MJZ/...

75 Gallon Rain Barrels (from Gardener's Supply)
https://www.gardeners.com/buy/deluxe-...

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