Catching rain in a tote

How much one tote can catch

One inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof yields about 600 gallons of collected water, according to UF/IFAS. That means a 1,500 square foot roof area fills a 275 gallon tote with about a third of an inch of rain (275 divided by 900), and a 330 gallon tote with a little more than that.

Inland Empire rain comes in a few storms, not a steady drizzle. A tote fills quickly in a big one and then sits for months, which is why the cover, the screen and the algae control matter more than the size.

The parts of a rain tote

• A gutter and downspout feeding a first-flush diverter or a screen.
• A screened inlet, so mosquitoes cannot lay eggs. See mosquitoes and rain totes.
• An overflow pipe to send excess away from the foundation.
• A bottom valve and a hose adapter for use. See fittings.
• A dark cover or an opaque tote, to keep algae out. See desert sun and UV.

Which tote to use

Use a tote whose last contents you know. A food-history or water-only tote is best. A tote that held a pesticide, a cleaner or an unknown product is not a candidate, even if it has been rinsed. See water totes.

Stored rainwater is not for drinking. UF/IFAS says so, and so does common sense: the water has crossed a roof and a gutter. Use it on ornamentals, a lawn or a garden bed, and for washing. The law guide covers what California allows.

A seasonal note

Inland Empire rain comes in winter. A tote that fills in February must hold until summer, so cover it, screen it and keep the lid tight. A tote left open in the sun will turn green and smell by June.

Questions people ask