• Water barrels are used to collect rain water for use in your garden or lawn.Water Barrel image by Steve Thompson from Fotolia.com
  
  Water, or rain, barrels are a simple and excellent way to collect rain and other types of water for use in your garden or on your lawn. Water barrel systems are readily available at your local hardware store or nursery, but they're also quite easy to make yourself. Before purchasing a system or beginning a water barrel project, it's important to learn a bit more about the three key features of water barrel systems.
  
  

Barrel

• Water barrels may be plastic, metal or wood.green barrel image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com
  
  The barrel is, of course, key. Whether you're buying your water barrel system or making your own, choose a large barrel (e.g., 55 gallon) made of plastic, metal or wood. If your barrel is recycled, be sure that it held only clean, organic and/or safe materials, not toxins.
  
  If you are making your water system yourself, you will need some additional tools to modify your downspout and barrel. These tools include a simple drill, saw and sheet metal shears.
  
  

Hose

• A simple garden hose can be attached to the water barrel.garden hose image by Sirena Designs from Fotolia.com
  
  The hose is important when it comes to using the water that you've collected. If you're purchasing your water barrel system or doing it yourself, a regular garden-type hose will work perfectly.
  
  The hose is connected just above the base of the barrel with a hose adapter, washer and valve. If you're doing your water system yourself, drill a small hole near the base of the barrel, attach the adapter and washer on the barrel's interior and place the valve on the barrel's exterior in order to plug in the garden hose.
  
  

Filter

• The filter, or screen, keeps insects, leaves and other creatures out of your barrel.lizard on screen image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
  
  A filter, or screen, is needed to keep contaminants, leaves, insects or other critters out of your collected water. The filter can be made from a simple window/door screen. Or, if you purchase your water barrel system, a barrel-specific filter will come with your system.
  
  The filter is placed on top of the barrel, just below the downspout. It is best to make your filter removable so that it's easy to clean out.