Rain Barrel & Harvesting in Corpus Christi, TX
Notable recent landfall: Hurricane Harvey (August 2017) struck the Coastal Bend as a Category 4. Hail-storm season runs March through May.
Coastal plain with expansive clay soils inland (Calallen, Northwest) that swell and contract with moisture. Sandier soils closer to the bay and on Padre Island.
For rain barrel & harvesting, the service area covers roughly 40 miles from central Corpus Christi.
Common reasons to call
- Homeowner wants to catch roof runoff to water a garden or lawn during dry spells
- Property owner is tired of a high summer water bill and wants free rain for outdoor use
- A downspout dumps water next to the foundation and the owner wants to capture and redirect it
- Someone wants a larger cistern or tank system, not just a single barrel, and needs it sized right
- A yard floods in heavy Coastal Bend rain and the owner wants to slow and store some of that water
- An existing barrel or tank cracked, overflowed, or grew algae and needs to be fixed or replaced
Typical work
- Set one rain barrel under a downspout with a screen, spigot, and overflow line routed away from the house
- Link two or more barrels together and route the overflow so extra water drains to a safe spot
- Install a larger above-ground cistern with a first-flush diverter and a screen to keep out leaves and bugs
- Add a small pump so stored water can feed a soaker hose or drip irrigation line
- Clean, reseal, or replace a cracked tank, clogged screen, or failed spigot on an older setup
Typical turnaround
A single barrel is often done in a few hours. Multi-barrel or cistern systems usually take one to two days, longer if gutter work, a pump, or a concrete pad is part of the job.
Materials and equipment
- Food-grade or UV-stable plastic barrels and cisterns
- Downspout diverters and first-flush diverters
- Mesh leaf and mosquito screens
- Spigots, bulkhead fittings, and overflow hoses
- PVC or poly pipe for routing overflow and connections
- Gravel, pavers, or a stand for a level, stable base
- Small transfer or irrigation pump (for pressurized use)
Job sizes
Minor
A single barrel set under one downspout with a screen, spigot, and overflow line.
Standard
Two or more linked barrels across a couple of downspouts, with overflow routed to a safe drainage point.
Major
A large cistern or multi-tank system with first-flush diverters, gutter work, a level base, and a pump for irrigation.
Replacement
Removing a cracked tank or failed pump and re-plumbing or swapping out an aging system.
Final pricing comes from the on-call provider after on-site assessment, with a written estimate before any work starts.
What to expect
- ✓A good pro puts a barrel or tank on a level, stable base because water is heavy and a full barrel can weigh hundreds of pounds.
- ✓They screen every opening to keep out leaves, debris, and mosquitoes.
- ✓They plan the overflow first, routing extra water away from the foundation so heavy rain does not cause damage.
- ✓They match the tank size to your roof and your real watering needs instead of overselling.
- ✓They use food-grade or UV-stable containers so the tank holds up in the Texas sun and does not leach into the water.
- ✓For any tie-in to indoor or drinking-water plumbing, they bring in a Texas-licensed plumber and follow backflow-prevention rules.
- ✓They walk you through simple upkeep, like cleaning screens and checking spigots, so the system keeps working.
General liability insurance; ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association) Accredited Professional training; a Texas-licensed plumber on the job for any potable or indoor tie-in; familiarity with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension rainwater harvesting guidance
Common questions
Is it legal to collect rainwater in Texas?
Yes. Texas allows and encourages rainwater harvesting. State law also limits how much a homeowners association can restrict a system, though an HOA can still ask for reasonable placement or screening. Check your own HOA and city rules before you start.
Do I need a permit or a licensed plumber for a rain barrel?
A simple outdoor barrel that waters your garden or lawn usually needs no permit and no license. You do need a Texas-licensed plumber if the system connects to your home's indoor or drinking-water plumbing, and TCEQ backflow rules apply if it ever ties into a public water line. Ask your city about local permit rules for larger tanks.
Can I drink the water I collect?
Rain caught off a roof is fine for lawns, gardens, and washing, but it is not safe to drink without proper filtering and treatment. A potable system is a bigger project with screening, filtration, and a licensed plumber. Most homeowners here use harvested water only for outdoor, non-drinking uses.
How much water can I actually catch?
It depends on your roof size and how much rain falls. A rough rule people use is that a roof can shed a little over half a gallon per square foot for each inch of rain. Even short Coastal Bend storms can fill a barrel fast, which is why an overflow plan matters.
Will a rain barrel breed mosquitoes?
Not if it is set up right. A good install uses tight leaf and mosquito screens on every opening so bugs cannot get in and lay eggs. Keeping the screens clean and the lid sealed is the main upkeep.
Where should the overflow go?
Away from your foundation and toward a spot that drains well, like a garden bed, a lawn area, or an existing drainage path. A common mistake is letting overflow pool against the house. A pro will route it so heavy rain does not cause foundation or erosion problems.
Does harvested rainwater help during a drought?
It can. Storing water while it rains gives you a supply for plants during dry stretches and watering restrictions, which the Coastal Bend sees often. It will not replace all your outdoor water use, but it stretches what you have and eases your water bill.
Is there any tax break for rainwater equipment in Texas?
Texas offers a sales-tax exemption on rainwater harvesting equipment and supplies. You typically give the seller an exemption form at purchase. Rules can change, so confirm current details with the retailer or the Texas Comptroller before you buy.