04/24/2018
Rainwater harvesting system by SuperDave, Seattle Heights, Washington
This design has a filter to keep debris and mosquitos from entering the system while also allowing the the overflow to run back into the downspout when it is full. After a few rainstorms over the course of a week in the month of June (summer in Seattle) this system was full to the brim and bulging with anticipation to water the flowers and plants. One interesting tidbit of science: after testing the harvested water it had a pH of 6, which is much more ideal for watering plants than the ~8-8.5 I saw out of the tap. All the more reason to use this harvested rain to water the house plants, and any other picky plants.
DIY Instruction: http://www.dswens.com/rain-harvesting/