I've been harvesting rainwater for about 14 years now. Recently I joined the City of Los Angeles Rainwater Harvesting Program and they gave me a free rainwater barrel and put it into place beneath my downspout. They're also providing a free 1 hour consult w a landscape architect to consult on how to get the water to where I need (so I don't have to continue carrying it in a watering can). The barrel they gave us is black, has a net at the top to catch debris so it won't fall into your harvested water and has 2 spouts - one near the top & one near the bottom - for outflow of the harvested water. I want more! I got it from Erika: Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. Attn: Erika Kennelly 888 West 6th Street, 3rd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017 Fax- (213) 614-9003 (562) 597-0231 ekennelley@pirnie.com Right now this is a test program in my general area (WLA) and the city is trying to figure out if they can afford to continue to support this effort. I urge anyone living in the LA City area to call or e Erika and ask her about their program. There's also a few current listing for various barrels on craigslist, here's a sample one, this barrel is bright blue w no holes/spouts: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/grd/1558852085.html

Thanks for the reply. I have used the spray glue and it does help secure the plastic. After I get it in place I will fill it with water and that will sit it all in place. My main problem is were I put the input line and the overfill lines, both lines are in the bottom of the gutter and plastic. I have tried silicone seal, glue, rubber gromets to seal these lines but eventually they begin to leak.(nothen seems to stick long to the plastic) Seems hard to get a good long term seal on the plastic film. Water will leak under the film and react with the aluminum. Then its a reall hasel to take it all apart, clean it, and let it dry to seal it up again. With a painted surface I would only have to shut the system down for a few hours to let it dry and fix the leak. The system I will be putting up soon is likley to total over 100 running ft (5 20 ft runs) Trying to avoid headaches down the road. I plan on growing alot of snap peas (vines) and that would be a mess to take apart to fix a leak under the plastic. Thanks again

I hope the links were helpful, but they may not even be the best or the most informative, and of course I will hear out anyone with alternate views. But those specific resources were the primary influences on me and I saw Blue Vinyl on HBO when it first came out (2002). Thanks for your comments and points well taken. HDPE (high density polyethylene) and LDPE (low density PE) comprise the bulk of the new plastics in my own systems (FWIW), or I got these plastics initially instead of vinyls/PVCs. Often these specific plastics are food grade, but if you want black, for example, the FDA will render them as not food grade even though the opaque versions are. HDPE or LDPE plastic tubing does have some minor bend if you want it, and they support plug-in drip fittings for drip lines or goof plugs very well (i can say this from experience). Looking at the inventory of typical online drip irrigation and hydroponic shops, the majority only offer vinyl versions of 1/2" or 1/4" tubing (for example), though a few shops now offer alternatives. HDPE and LDPE are much more rigid than soft blue vinyl tubing (no relation to documentary), but if dipped in hot water for a minute, HDPE or LDPE slides right onto typical 1/2 fittings (elbows, tees, etc.). Fitting and many easy-to-find buckets are most often available in nylon or HDPE polyethylene (more common for buckets). The single most comprehensive source for food-grade or near food-grade plastics and fitttings that I have ever found is US Plastic, and their customer service is truly superb. Have a great weekend!! Too much time at the desk/computer this week (by far). I will be ready to show a few outdoor dust-proofing findings (not related) in maybe a month, but I have to prove that they work first with happy vegetables in demonstrable size. LOL.

LOVE the rug! Too bad that it is discontinued-- I recently ran into the same thing with the C&B rug I'd planned for my LR. It was also discontinued. I called C&B and they were most helpful -- in fact, I was on the phone with Customer Service and one of the stores for well over an hour. It is definitely worth a call to them as both people I spoke to went and checked their storage areas to see if there was one "floating" out there. What is going to work against you is that they do not stock 8 x 10s in the stores. They said they take up too much space and most people can't easily carry them in their cars. Makes sense. Good luck-- it's really an awesome design.