Habitat TV

A rain-barrel or tank connected to a downpipe diverter is a simple way of collecting rain from the roof for future use on the garden or outdoors.

This simple system uses a 200-litre food-grade plastic barrel, a downpipe diverter (we used Marley Twist) and a concrete-block stand decorated with Resene paints.

The stand, strong enough to take the barrel’s weight when it is full of water, is made of eight concrete blocks, a paver and timber to make a wooden platform where the barrel sits. We’ve worked with the plastic barrel’s blue colour creating an ombre blue effect using Resene Onahau, Resene Morning Glory, Resene Fountain Blue and Resene Hippie Blue.

To make the stand you will need:
- 3 x planks of timber: 600mm length x 200mm width x 50mm depth
- 3 x planks of timber: 600mm length x 150mm width x 50mm depth
- 8 concrete blocks
- 1 concrete paver
- Resene paints of your choice - we used Resene Onahau, Resene Morning Glory, Resene Fountain Blue and Resene Hippie Blue. 

Step 1 Measure and cut 3 x planks of timber: 600mm length x 200mm width x 50mm depth.

Step 2 Lay out the timber to create a platform frame and space the thinner timber evenly inside frame to create the base of the platform. Drill pilot holes around the sides of the platform and secure with screws. Sand the edges and corners and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Paint with two coats of Resene Onahau. 

Step 3 Wipe away any excess dust from the concrete blocks. Paint two coats onto 4 x concrete blocks in Resene Morning Glory, 4 x concrete blocks in Resene Fountain Blue and paint the paver in Resene Hippie Blue. 

Step 4 Place the paver on the bottom and place the four concrete blocks painted in Resene Fountain Blue on the bottom and then cross stack the blocks painted in Resene Morning Glory. Place the wooden stand and the rain-barrel on top.

Useful links and more information on for setting up a rain-barrel harvesting system

Eco Matters Build your own Rainwater Harvesting Kit:  Rainwater-Harvesting-kit-information-flyer-July-2020.pdf (ecomatters.org.nz)

Auckland City Council guidelines

Rainwater tank installation and maintenance (aucklandcouncil.govt.nz)

Wellington City Council Guidelines Setting up a rainwater tank - Wellington Water

Smarter Homes Guide to Collecting and Using Rainwater Collecting and using rainwater | Smarter Homes

Info on the Marley Twist Rainwater diverter Twist® - Marley

Where to buy rain-barrels

SMALL PLASTIC BARREL 55 LITRES – Barry's Barrels (bb.net.nz)

200 LITRE BLUE PLASTIC FOOD GRADE DRUM - RainHarvest Products and Services