Rain barrels For Your Garden – Collecting, Harvesting and Storing Rain Water

What is a Rain Barrel?

A rain barrel (a water butt in the UK) is a large barrel used in the collection of rain water as well as rain storage for future use. A rain barrel is an excellent way of water conservation. Rain barrels are typically installed below the downspout of eaves troughs from rooftops via rain gutters. Rain barrels are devices for collecting rain, as well as maintaining harvested rain and rain storage.

Rain barrels are used in the collecting soft rain water for home use, water conservation, and developing a self-sustainable household.

Why Use a Rain Barrel?

Using rain barrels to collect rain water for your gardens needs is a great way to save money on your hydro bill, and a great way to help out the environment in a postive, nourishing way for your gardens. The water that comes out of your tap when you turn it on usually comes from underground aquifers, or ground water. When it rains, the water trickles down through the earth and recharges these aquifers, which are also the source of spring fed streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. In the city, most of the earth that rain water once trickled through is now covered by either asphalt or homes. With limited areas for the rainwater to trickle into the groundwater supply, most rain water runs through municipal sewer systems and empties into the nearest river or lake. The resulting effect is that aquifers are beginning to dry up, leaving many streams a mere trickle of what they once were. This is why water conservation is so important, and why rain harvesting plays such an important roll in water conservation.

When you install a rain barrel to collect rain water, the effect is at least two fold.

1. Plants Love Rain Water

Harvesting rain water by placing a rain barrel below the downspout on your house allows you to deliver the water back into the earth by using it to water your gardens. Plants thrive when watered with rain water….after all, plants have relied on rain water for hundreds of thousands of years to live and grow. The soft water is easily absorbed by roots allowing plants to take the water in quickly.

2. Your Water Bill Will Shrink

Have a look at your water bill and you’ll quickly see how much water your household is actually using. By harvesting rain water, there is the possibility of cutting your monthly water bill by 50% or more depending on how much water is used for other tasks. Water efficiency is one of the key things home owners can look at to save energy very easily.

Other Uses for your Rain Barrel

Consider using your harvested rain water for washing your vehicles, lawn furniture, etc. As an added bonus, use a green, eco-friendly soap or detergent and wash these items on your lawn when possible and water your lawn with the rain water runoff as well!!

For more information on Rain Barrels visit:
www.girc.org