Any home can beat the drought and conserve water using rain barrels. Rain barrels have a long history. These barrels are enjoying a new surge in popularity, owed in large part to conservation concerns and drought conditions. Rain barrels are also appealing because they help manage water costs and protect our water by reducing the pollutants that pour into storm drains with rain run-off.
Why Consider a Rain Barrel
Regardless of what we would like to believe, there are not unlimited supplies of freshwater available to us. In fact, current water shortages are predicted to become more pronounced in coming decades.
Rain brrels make it possible to collect water that would ordinarily be lost. Rain that runs down roofs and gutters onto sidewalks and driveways can instead be harvested for later use.
In significant numbers rain barrels can also minimize or eliminate home flooding during heavy downpours by reducing the surge of water that flows into the sewer system.
Another Benefit of Rain Barrels
Rain Barrel can help you collect significant amounts of water to be used in your garden. This is a big plus, especially if you live in an area that has watering restrictions because of a drought.
Why not get started today? Rain Barrels are very inexpensive to make or buy and easy to install and maintain. In an average summer you can collect more than 1,000 gallons of water.
Don’t have a garden or any landscaping that needs watering? You can still benefit from a rain barrel. Use the water you collect to wash your car, your pet or tackle other household chores, such as mopping or washing windows.
Residential demand for water increases significantly during the summer. You can help reduce demand, and do something good for the environment, just by using a rain barrel.
Is Water Collected in a Rain Barrel Suitable for Drinking?
If you intend your harvested water for household use you must invest in a filtration system. You may also want to clean your roof and install a gutter guard (to minimize contamination). You should also have the water tested periodically to ensure safety.
Important Considerations for Rain Barrel Users
The two biggest considerations are mosquitoes and random critters. There are a number of ecologically sound methods for minimizing any potential problems from critters and mosquitoes as well as their eggs.
You’ve probably heard the expression, “small changes change things”. A rain barrel is a small change that can make a big difference.
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