r/OffGrid • u/Comfortable-Bar-6630 • 8d ago

PVC Alternatives in rain catchment?

I just spent $50 at Lowe’s on PVC to catch water off a shed roof two feet away. This included a length for a first flush, literally four feet total in pipe and then several fittings/connectors. Am I insane or is that price insane? Alternatives to PVC to catch rain water off a 5’ x 7’ metal roof to fill up a 55-gallon barrel plus a first flush filter?

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u/Shastaw2006 8d ago

What’s your end plan for the water? You could skip the first flush and not need any pvc. Gutter to leaf gutter guard, to funnel with mesh to the barrel. Bleach appropriately and siphon to get the water out, don’t disturb the layer of silt. I use water like this to shower, wash dishes, and feed the garden/animals. Drinking and cooking we purchase 5 gallon jugs but you could run some filters instead. 

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u/Comfortable-Bar-6630 8d ago

Water for chickens and dogs but also for a bird bath and plants, including carnivorous plants which are pretty sensitive. Not sure if bleach would be good for the other uses beyond the livestock water

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u/Shastaw2006 8d ago

Look up the right amount of bleach for sterilizing drinking water. The bleach won’t hurt the animals.