I’m excited to announce that I have launched a rain barrel and rain tank installation service. This is to make it easy for clients in North-West and West Hills Calgary (between Sarcee and Stoney Trails) to collect and use rainwater for your gardens. If there is enough demand, I may consider offering this service more widely throughout Calgary.

I have been in the landscaping business for 18 years now and have tried a lot of rain barrel systems and know what works. We have 4 rain barrels in our yard at each corner of the house and have been managing just fine with the water restrictions now in place in Calgary.

My nephew, Nigel, who worked for me for years and then moved on to other areas of construction, will do the installations in the evenings, sometimes with a helper. Nigel is eager to have more work to support his wife and 4 children.

Why have Rainwater Storage in Your Yard?

With climate change creating drought conditions more often, it is more likely that we will have outdoor watering restrictions as we are now experiencing  in Calgary. With rainwater storage at your downspouts, you can capture that water for use in watering your yard.

Having lots of capacity (i.e. many or larger barrels or tanks) means that when we have dry stretches (in the last few years we have had many consecutive weeks without rain during the summer and fall) you will have the reserve to keep watering. When it does rain, one thunderstorm can fill your storage in a few minutes, so why not capture as much as you can?

Unique Features of our Rain Barrel Installations

All of our installations include features not commonly found with installations:

– a sturdy aluminum y-diverter on your downspout to make it easy to switch between summer and winter use

– screens on your downspout and rain barrel/tank to keep debris out of your barrel or tank so they stay clean and the so does the rainwater

– an overflow hose that can be 20 feet long (you can easily cut it shorter if you want) so you can direct excess rainwater where you want it in your yard. 

– a sturdy tap that is 4-6 inches above the bottom of the barrel to which you can easily attach a hose. This height allows the internal bacterial biofilm build-up at the bottom of the barrel/tank to continually clean the rainwater. A lower tap will drain the biofilm. A higher tap, along with our filters means that you should never have to clean your barrel/tank. And depending on where it is located, you only have to drain it for winter and can just leave it in place.

– a stand that is at least 18 inches high, and most of ours are two feet high, so the rain barrel, or tank, is raised for easy use with watering cans and good water pressure if you want to attach a hose. The eco-friendly pressure treated wood stands are made by Nigel and will sit on a concrete paver block.

the four types of barrels/tanks we can install for you

At this point we have 4 types of rain barrels and tanks to offer – differing mainly in volume of water they hold.

Here are the options with a base price included for each. There may be extra charges for your installation if extra tasks are involved, such as levelling the ground where the barrel or tank will go, or spray painting the y-diverter to match your downspouts. Our y-diverters are white.

Click here to learn how to choose the right rain barrel or rain tank for you.

Option 1: Enviroworld Free Garden Rain Barrel – 55 gallon/ 208 litres

Note: You can have one or more – sequenced in a row.

We have two of these in our yard and love them! They are sturdy and easy to use. They are Canadian made of mostly recycled plastic and come in beige, lime green, orange and black colours. 24 inches square and 34 inches high without the stand. The stand we provide is made by Nigel of eco-friendly treated wood and is 2 feet wide, deep and high.

Base price for one barrel installed: $835

Additional price for each extra rain barrel installed in a sequence: $330

Option 2:  Graf Classic Round Rain Barrel with Plastic Stand – 112 gallon/ 510 litres

We will add a second tap for attaching a hose. Dimensions: 40 inches wide and deep and 43 inches high.

Base price for one barrel installed: $970

Option 3: Barr White Vertical Rain Tank – 115 gallons/ 522 litres

Note: You can have one or more – sequenced in a row.

These sturdy plastic rain tanks are made in Canada. Their dimensions lend themselves for maximum rain storage in tight spaces: 24 inches square by 60 inches high. These can be installed in a sequence. The stand we provide is made by Nigel of eco-friendly treated wood and is 2 feet wide, deep and high.

Base price for one tank installed: $1450

Price for each additional tank in a sequence: $820

Option 4: Cubic Meter Rain Tank: 320 gallons/ 1000 litres

Note: You can have one or more – sequenced in a row.

These food-grade tanks come in a metal cage. Dimensions: 4 feet wide, 40 inches deep and 45 inches high. We can build removable wooden cladding if you would prefer that to an industrial look.

We provide a sturdy wooden platform that is 3 feet high for maximum water pressure so no pump is needed to use a hose to water your yard. The platform can be built at any height that will fit under your eaves. Higher is better for more pressure. Preparing the base on the ground for the platform will be an additional charge and this is usually needed to make sure the tanks are stable.

Base price for one rain tank installed: $1850

Price for each additional tank in a sequence: $985

how to book a rain barrel/tank consultation

1. Email Laureen with:

a)  the option you want – including the colour if you want the Enviroworld Rain Barrel

b)  some photos: overviews of the access to your downspouts – driveways, your yard from the street in front or alleyway,  and photos of the downspouts at which you want rain barrels or tanks.

c) the colour of your downspouts – a close-up photo will help

d)  the width of your downspouts. Most downspouts are square and 2 5/8 inch wide. Some are square and 3 inches wide. Some older downspouts are rectangular – for those measure both widths.

e) your address, phone number and good times to reach you

Laureen will call you back to book an installation time or to chat if more information is needed.

Payment is by etransfer:  20 % deposit when you book and the balance at the time of the installation. No GST is charged. If you are unable to etransfer, cash or cheques are acceptable. Talk to Laureen about this option.

Note that Eco-Friendly Landscapes has WCB coverage and Liability and Bond Insurance.

Please Spread the Word

Please spread the word about this great new service so more homes will be collecting rainwater. This temporary watering restriction can lead to better ways we can support our environment and City infrastructure.

If there is enough demand, I will consider offering this service more widely throughout Calgary. I would need another skilled staff person to do the installs, so if you know of anyone, please pass on my contact information.

Let’s use our rainwater wisely to protect our water! 

To learn more about all of Eco-Friendly Landscapes Services visit www.ecofriendlylandscapes.ca.