Howdy Mr. EHiggins,

Currently, I collect my roof water in three 55-gallon Greek pepper plastic barrels but I want to build this system:


1. downspot
2. 20-gal U-shaped tube to collect preflush
3. soaker hose to empty preflush tube
4. spout to sand filter barrel
5. sand with naturally-forming biofilm layer on surface
6. pea gravel
7. perforated pipe surronded by larger gravel
8. final water collection barrel tapped with a hand-pump.

Item #2. is the preflush to collect dirt, bird droppings, etc. It has to fill up before water will flow into the sand filter barrel. A soaker hose attached to the U-tube is used to drain the water after the rain passes. I'll have to play with the soaker hose some to see what gives me fast enough drainage. Also, the bottom of the U-tube needs to be slanted away from the downspot with the soaker hose attached to the lowest point.

Theorectically, the water will be clean enough to drink right out of the final collection barrel, but I'll still treat it by boiling.

-Blast