RAIN BARREL HARVESTING
- Marlene Byndon
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Money doesn’t grow on trees, but it might as well fall from the sky. A rain barrel is a great way to save money, conserve water, and reduce runoff pollution. Here are some benefits of using a rain barrel:
1. **Save Money on Water Bills**
When you collect rainwater, you can use it for various household tasks, such as:
- Watering your lawn and garden
- Watering indoor plants
- Washing your car
- Cleaning driveways, patios, and other outdoor areas
- Mopping floors
Every gallon of harvested rainwater you use is a gallon you don’t have to pay for. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a rain barrel can save the average homeowner up to 1,300 gallons of water annually. That’s 1,300 gallons that won’t inflate your water bill!
2. **Conserve Water During Droughts**
Are you tired of watching your grass and plants wither every summer due to drought-related water restrictions? A rain barrel can be the ideal solution. You can use harvested rainwater to irrigate your lawn and garden without guilt, as you aren’t wasting any water. This conservation effort benefits not only you but also your community by reducing the strain on municipal water sources. Remember, water is a limited resource, and we must preserve it.
3. **Reduce Stormwater Runoff**
Harvesting rainwater helps both the community and the environment by capturing stormwater runoff before it can cause issues.
4. **Prevent Flooding and Soil Erosion**
Minimizing flooding prevents problems related to overly wet lawns, such as damage to your home’s foundation, fungal diseases, and pests. Preventing soil erosion keeps your soil rich in nutrients, which is essential for growing strong, healthy plants.
5. **Provide Clean Water for Plants**
Tap water from your sink or garden hose often contains fluoride, salts, and other additives that can harm your plants. Rainwater, being natural and untreated, is better for your soil and plants. Water collected in your barrel is as beneficial as fresh rain from the sky, helping all plants thrive.
How Rain Barrels Work
Rain barrels are quite simple. Here’s how they function:
1. Rainwater hits your roof and flows into the gutter, then down the downspout.
2. The water transfers to the rain barrel directly from the downspout or through a diverter you install.
3. The rain barrel fills up over time, typically holding around 40-60 gallons.
4. You can drain water as needed from the spigot at the bottom of the barrel, using a bucket, watering can, or by attaching a garden hose or drip irrigation system.
5. An overflow valve prevents the barrel from overflowing, directing excess water away from your yard and home’s foundation. You can even connect the overflow valve to a second rain barrel to collect additional water.
Investing in a rain barrel is worthwhile. Although store-bought rain barrels can cost up to $200, you can create a less expensive DIY rain barrel using a trash can, plastic drum, or any large plastic container that can hold water.
Regardless of how much you spend on your rain barrel, you can expect it to pay you back in free water over the years. At the same time, you’ll be contributing to global water conservation efforts, which is invaluable.
Resource, Jordan Ardoin
