Rain Barrels in Orlando: Setup, Mosquito Safety, and Whether They Pay Off

A barrel connects to a downspout through a diverter that sends water in and returns the excess to the downspout. The water is for irrigation. It is not for drinking.

• Common sizes hold 50 to 100 gallons
• A storm can fill one quickly, in minutes
• Water pressure is low unless the barrel sits on a stand

Orlando's wet season delivers a lot of rain, and dry spells in spring and fall raise irrigation demand. Watering plants with stored rainwater can reduce use of treated or well water. Water management districts, including the St. Johns River Water Management District that covers much of the area, encourage conservation. See SJRWMD for local programs.

This is the key risk in Florida:

Read mosquitoes in gutters in Florida.

• Use a fine-mesh screen on the inlet
• Keep a tight, sealed lid
• Screen the overflow outlet too
• Do not let water sit for weeks. Use it or dump it.

A basic install includes:

See rain barrel installation.

• A level, solid base, since a full barrel is heavy
• A diverter in the downspout
• A screened inlet
• A spigot near the bottom for a hose
• An overflow line that sends extra water away from the foundation

Some HOAs regulate visible barrels or require screening or color matching. Ask before you install.

A barrel and install typically run $125 to $600, and irrigation savings are modest for most yards. The value is more in convenience, plants that like rainwater, and a little less runoff. If your real problem is yard flooding, a barrel will not solve it. See downspout drainage and yard flooding in Orlando.

Skip it if you cannot maintain the screen and lid, if the location is bad for the overflow, or if you are hoping it will fix a wet foundation. The University of Florida IFAS Extension has guidance on irrigation and landscape water use.

A typical roof sheds a lot more water than a barrel can hold. As a rough idea, one inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof produces about 600 gallons of runoff, so a 55-gallon barrel fills in a few minutes of steady rain. That is why overflow planning matters, and why some owners link two or more barrels. Place the barrel near the garden it will serve, and on the downspout that drains the largest roof area.

Stored rainwater suits garden beds, containers, and lawn spot-watering. Use it within a week or two to keep it fresh, and avoid using it on edible plants you will eat raw unless you are comfortable with the risks. Keep the spigot closed and the lid sealed between uses.

Check the screen every few weeks and clear leaves. Empty and rinse the barrel a few times a year. Make sure the base stays level and the overflow line still drains away. Read mosquitoes in gutters in Florida for related habits.

If a barrel does not suit your yard, other options can make use of roof water. A rain garden is a planted depression that soaks up downspout water. A dry well sends water into the ground. A cistern holds far more than a barrel and costs more. Each has its own requirements, and each needs an overflow plan. Ask a qualified landscaper or contractor about what suits your lot and local rules.

• Pick a downspout near the garden that drains a large roof area
• Build a level, solid base
• Install the diverter and screened inlet
• Add a spigot and overflow line
• Seal the lid and check for gaps
• Plan where overflow goes
• Check HOA rules before you buy