Vancouver Island • Garden-first advice

Make rain work harder.

Plan an IBC tote setup: estimate collection from a rainfall event, explore a first-flush allowance, and prepare a parts checklist. This is a planning tool; our own tote build has not yet been completed or tested.

IBC-readyPhone-friendlyNon-potable use

Your setup

Start with the roof

About 2 min

Collection roof area 50 m² 10 m²200 m² Rainfall event 10 mm Light: 2 mmHeavy: 50 mm Roof surface Storage

Main plant use

Flowers & trees Food garden Hydroponics

Roof conditions

Very clean Typical Dusty / debris

Estimated capture 375 L About 38% of your storage

First flush 50 L 1 L per m²

Estimated capture = roof area × rainfall × 0.85, minus the first-flush allowance, capped at storage capacity. Assumes empty storage. The 0.5–2 L/m² first-flush settings are planning assumptions, not a water-quality guarantee; confirm sizing for your roof and local requirements.

The clean-water move

First flush, made simple.

The first runoff carries much of the dust, pollen, droppings and roof debris. A diverter holds that initial water back before cleaner flow moves into the tote.

Your working target: 50 L
Use a slow-drain valve so the chamber resets between rain events.

RoofCatch rain

Leaf screenStop debris

First flushDivert dirty water

ToteStore safely

Keep every inlet, overflow and vent screened against mosquitoes.

Core build

What you’ll need

10 items

Good water starts upstream

Filter for the job. Treat safety as part of the build.

Start clean

Clean gutters, trim branches and avoid collection from roofs containing lead, copper, asbestos, treated wood or questionable coatings.

Store it right

Use an opaque, food-grade tote with known history on a level base. Secure the lid, screen openings and route overflow away from foundations.

Match the use

For food gardens, use drip or soil-level irrigation, keep water off the edible portion and wash produce with potable water.

Maintain the system

Inspect screens after storms, empty the first-flush chamber, clean filters and watch for odour, algae, sediment, pests or damaged parts.