Can use of Rain Barrels reduce water consumption costs

Rain water that is typically lost to runoff, streams or sewers can be collected from your roof and stored in rain barrels. Typically rain barrels are made of a 55 gallon drum, a vinyl hose, PVC couplings and a screen grate. It simply has to be positioned underneath the gutter of your roof and it will collect the rain water while it is pouring.

Rain barrels are a good way to harvest and conserve rain water. Use of rain barrels can help in tackling the problem of water shortage and cut down the costs of water consumption. Throughout heavy rains, if used properly one can store as much as an entire barrel full of water. A rain barrel can collect the rain water pouring on the roof which can be later utilized around the house. It can be used for many purposes like watering the plants and the garden or washing your car. It is possible to store as much rain water annually that can suffice for one summer on the basis of the number of rain barrels used. A typical rain barrel can save close to 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.

The benefits of using rain barrels not only include the cost cutting on water expenditure. The water collected is soft water and is excellent for garden use. Rain water is also very good for washing cars since it contains no dissolved minerals like chlorine, calcium or lime. Rain barrels can be used at locations where it is inconvenient to have a spigot. Rain barrels can provide you with water when it is most required like in drought months. The environmental benefit of using rain barrels is undeniable as they efficiently conserve rain water which is the most easily available sources of natural water.

Care has to be taken that rain barrels should be kept covered with a secure lid so that children or pets do not fall into it. Also, the water in the rain barrels should not be used for cooking, drinking or bathing. In case any kind or spray or medicine is used on the roof, then the barrel should not be used in the first few rains. To make the spout readily reachable, the rain barrels should be kept at a height for convenience. Multiple barrels can be used to increase the storage capacity. They can be joint together to be able to hold more rain water.

Rain barrels can be constructed at home but the equipments require technical skills besides being expensive. It is a time consuming process and it is important to get all the parts right to make the rain barrel effective. Contrastingly, it is easier to buy ready made rain barrels as they are readily available and spares one the time and energy required to make one.