Carolyn I haven't heard of anyone making one up here since I have been here but I am sure that they are used especially in some of the more rural areas. Lots of people still use them in Louisiana too. I do the next best thing and put out large buckets to catch rainwater to water my plants and garden when it is dry.

Penny

You could just use a giant rubber or plastic trash can. They come in more subdued colors and usually can withstand some weight.

Tracy

I use a big rubbermaid trash can. But I do remember sometime this month, there was a guy in Bainbridge who was selling rain barrels, collected food grade containers from around the area. I can't remember his name, but the article was in the paper and should be searchable.

We just made one, though we haven't put it up yet...we still need to attach a gutter to the shed since that is where it is going. I am mainly using it in the back of the yard because the hose doesn't reach all the way back there and we also have a well, so thought it would come in handy there too. Last year was very dry and I wished I had it then. We got lucky and picked up a free white barrel at a horse farm (it was out by the road). They had blue ones too. The link below shows the instructions we used, although I think hubby modified it as he went along.

Here is a link that might be useful: Making Your Own Rain Barrel