Watched my neighbor's rain barrel overflow after 3 straight days of drizzle in Portland last spring

I figured out the downspout diverter was clogged with pine needles and now I wonder how many other folks have theirs set up wrong without realizing it?

2 comments

2 Comments

lisak261mo ago

Three Portland drizzles and my barrel was basically a moss tea brewer. I'm honestly impressed with how many ways I can screw up simple rainwater collection.

blair_dixon1mo ago

Wait, did you leave the barrel open to the air or did you have some kind of mesh or screen on top? In my experience, Portland rain brings a ton of tree pollen and debris with it, especially in spring. I used to have the same problem until I added a fine mesh filter and a dark lid to block sunlight.