A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams. It is simple and inexpensive to construct (or may be purchased) and can sit conveniently under any residential gutter down spout.
Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer.
A rain barrel collects water and stores it for when you need it most—during periods of drought– to water plants, wash your car, or to top a swimming pool. It provides an ample supply of free “soft water” to homeowners, containing no chlorine, lime or calcium making it ideal for gardens, flower pots, and car and window washing.
A rain barrel will save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, it saves you money and energy (decreased demand for treated tap water). Diverting water from storm drains also decreases the impact of runoff to streams and rivers. During a one-inch rain event, enough water will fall on a 90 square foot roof to fill at 55 gallon rain barrel.
Benefits of using a rain barrel:
-Saves you money on your water bill
-Provides an alternative to tap water for watering lawns and gardens
-Helps reduce peak volume and velocity of stormwater runoff reaching lakes and rivers
-Helps reduce peak water demands during summer months
