Abstract: A filter for rainwater harvesting forms part of a rainwater catchment system, and includes a container with a lid on its top end, an opening formed in the lid, and a strainer sized and shaped to accommodate the edge of the lid that defines the opening. The strainer includes an upper outwardly directed flange which engages the lid, a vertical side wall that extends downwardly from the upper flange, a lower inwardly directed flange, a reinforcing web supported by the lower flange, a mesh also located above and supported by the lower flange, and a retainer ring located above and supported by the lower flange and adapted to be secured thereto to removably hold the mesh and the reinforcing web therebetween. When the strainer is placed within the opening in the lid and the container is located such that the opening is in the flow path of a rainwater downspout, the strainer allows the passage therethrough of rainwater and filters debris from the rainwater to thereby enable the rainwater to be harvested.

Abstract: A strainer for a rainwater catchment system includes a container having a top end and a lid sized to cover the top end. The lid has an opening formed therein defined by an edge. The strainer further comprises an upper flange extending outwardly, a vertical side wall extending downwardly from the upper flange, and a bottom rim connected to the side wall, with the bottom rim extending inwardly. A filter removably connects to the bottom rim, with the filter including a lower reinforcing web, an upper retainer, and a mesh held between the lower reinforcing web and the upper retainer, so that the filter is adapted to allow rainwater to pass therethrough while filtering debris therefrom.

Abstract: A rainwater catchment system uses a basket-like strainer removably received within an opening formed in a lid of a conventional container, such as a 55-gallon plastic drum. The strainer includes an upper flange or rim, a side wall, and a bottom with a reinforcing web and a mesh. When the container is placed so that a downspout from a roof is directed toward the strainer, the water that flows out of the downspout flows into the strainer, through the mesh, and into the container where it is collected for future use. The removability of the strainer facilitates cleaning of the mesh. The reinforcing web, preferably with radially directed spokes, which may be curved to define a fan blade shape, helps to support the mesh so to better accommodate high volume water flow while also filtering out unwanted debris. This catchment system can be easy made out of a conventional container, such as a 55-gallon plastic drum, or a 35-gallon garbage can, by forming the hole within the conventional lid.