Totes for rain catchment

Which grade for rain

Use a food-grade-history tote. Rainwater often goes onto vegetables, and a bottle that held a chemical keeps that history. The CDC advises against storing water in containers that previously held toxic chemicals, and says food-grade containers are best. A rinse does not change the history.

A reconditioned tote is also a fit if its own history is food. Rinsed totes are for non-food jobs.

Where it works in the metro

Gardens and farms in Montgomery County, the Agricultural Reserve especially, are the likeliest buyers. Montgomery County’s RainScapes water-harvesting program says its project manual covers rain barrels, typically 50 to 55 gallons, and larger cisterns, and that harvested water is for non-potable, exterior use. The county’s requirements page excludes properties in Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park. Rules and rebates change, so read both pages before you plan around a rebate.

Where a tote sits on a roof drip line, on a deck or beside a barn, a 275 gallon tote is 48 inches long, 40 inches wide and 46 inches tall. Plan a base that holds it full.

Screening, overflow, winter

• Screen the inlet and the overflow with fine mesh. UF/IFAS says openings should be screened against mosquitoes.
• Pipe the overflow away from the foundation.
• Empty the tote before a hard freeze; frozen water splits a bottle.
• Keep the fill cap closed between storms.

Stored rainwater is not for drinking. UF/IFAS says so, and so do we.

Asking for one

Use the buy request below. Say how many totes, the ZIP code and what the water is for. The rainwater guide gives the roof-yield table and setup steps. We have set no price, minimum or delivery date, so the page names none.