Rain Barrel

Rain Barrels Help Conserve Water

2009-03-15T05:02:00.001-07:00

Rain barrels are coming back into popularity. With water shortages becoming more commonplace over large areas of the country and the importance of water conservation in general being raised in social consciousness, it seems a natural solution.

The drivers that make people choose to collect rainwater vary. Use of rainwater is a legal way to save lawns and gardens when watering becomes limited or banned. Others turn to rain barrels to keep their water bills down. Other than drinking and cooking, water from rain barrels or cisterns can fill a multitude of needs.

Many people concerned with conservation and maintaining green lifestyles use rain barrels with water conservation as their primary goal.

Rain barrels can be purchased commercially or made from recycled wooden or plastic storage barrels. The basic requirements include the following items:
1. Rain gutter with a downspout
2. Large collection container
3.
Screen to block leaves and twigs, etc.
4. Tight fitting lid
5. Distribution device

If you already have rain gutters on your home you have a head start. If not, installing them will be an important first step.The final requirement, the downspout, is needed to direct the rainwater into the barrel.

Rain barrels can be wood or plastic, new or recycled. If you choose to use a recycled barrel, be certain to learn what has been stored in it to assure you will not be reentering toxins into the water. Solid, fitted covers ensure rain barrels will not be a danger to children. Rain barrels need a distribution outlet in the form of a spout with a valve or a piece of hose. A benefit of harvesting rainwater is that it has no chlorine or other chemicals which makes it healthy for plants. Even when watering bans are not in place, recycling rainwater for the sprinkler, etc. insures more water for consumption. When heavy rains fill the drainage system, it mixes with polutants and carries them off into the natural waterways. Natural drainage through the soil and rock bed purifies the water before it reenters the ecosystem.

Use of rain barrels is good for individuals because it reduces water costs and keeps gardens and lawns healthy. Additionally, whether your primary goal or a byproduct, you will contribute to water conservation and environmental safety.

The Ecological Benefits of Using a Rain Barrel

2009-02-27T04:01:00.001-08:00

Catching rainwater as it falls is an age old idea. The concept of a rain barrel and other types of rain catchers has been in use as long as agriculture... which is thousands of years. However, during the last decades, home owners have become more and more reliant on their city's water services. Unfortunately, using falling rainwater is no longer widely done.

Every household with a budget to follow (and some concern for the environment) cares about preserving water. But many of those very same people do not even know about the existence of a rain barrel. A bulky, specially designed container, a rain barrel simply collects rainwater. These barrels are placed under your roof's drain downspout. When rain falls on the roof of your home, it is swept into your roofs gutters and out through its downspout. This allows you to collect large amounts of rain water as it falls.

Environmental Benefits of Using a Rain Barrel

Reduced toxins in rivers. Did you know that, though rain is good for an ecosystem, it can be bad for the environment? When rain falls, it flows through our city streets before being carried to creeks and rivers. In this process, rainwater picks up toxins, such as pesticides, pet waste, oil, etc. If you collect some of that rainwater instead of allowing it to flow away, you can reduce the pollution of our rivers.

Reduced water usage. Of course, the most significant effect of using a rain barrel is the reduced water usage. During the summer season a homeowner can spend as much as 40 percent of his or her monthly water bill on watering a lawn. Because of this, there are yearly water shortages in many cities nationwide, with rationing programs and overuse fines. If you collect rainwater, however, you can both keep your grass and garden green, and free up more water for your community.

Reduced power usage. We all know that reducing the amount of energy we use to power our homes is important for the environment. But many of us do not consider the power usage implied by using municipal water. When we use water directly from our pipes, that water must be cleaned, filtered, and pumped all the way to us. There are countless processes in water processing that use up energy and, unfortunately, harm the environment.

With the use of a rain barrel, you can recycle rainwater to save thousands of gallons of water and create a ready made source of water for your plants, lawn, or day to day jobs. Pretty much the only thing you cannot do with collected rainwater is drink it. Otherwise, rain barrel water is great for washing your car, watering your garden... and doing your part to protect the environment.

Reducing Your Water Consumption With Rain Barrels

2009-02-16T04:05:00.001-08:00

During an average rainstorm in a typical home, as much as 700 gallons of rainwater may run off and simply dissipate into the ground. All of that wasted rainwater could have otherwise been used for a good number of baths or showers. Buildings that are much larger will of course result in more rainwater running off, often reaching into the several thousand gallons being wasted.

In the face of the limited supply of water that so many areas of the country faces, this is all the more reason to consider installing rain barrels on your property. Besides being wasted, this rainwater also enters the storm drains through the ground where it can deposit various toxic materials and other pollutants, causing further harm to the environment.

Rain barrels effectively address these issues by allowing you to collect and store rainwater for future use. In its most basic form, rain barrels are simply large containers that collect water that comes from rooftops or other impermeable surfaces around the home. In a good rainstorm, rain barrels can collect more than 200 gallons of rain water, so you can imagine that they can be filled quite rapidly. This will then result in you having a considerable amount of water that can be used for various purposes around the home, ranging from watering plants and trees, to car and window washing chores. This will have the effect of greatly reducing your water bill and reduce the pollutants that enter the ground water, as well as put all that collected rainwater to good use.

Your options for rain barrels range from commercially available rain barrels to rain barrels made out of materials that can be found around the home or in a typical garden supply store. Many commercial rain barrels have fixtures built in such as hose or faucet connectors, which make them convenient for regular use or for hooking up with other rain barrels in order to collect even more rainwater. Constructing your own rain barrels will take some time, effort and planning, although this will be offset by the money that you will save from having to buy commercial rain barrels. Whichever option you choose to go for, you will want to make sure that your rain barrels are ideally situated to collect as much rainwater as possible.

Can use of Rain Barrels reduce water consumption costs

2008-12-30T04:14:00.001-08:00

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.

Use of rain barrels in rain water harvesting

2008-12-16T04:14:00.001-08:00

Rain barrels are containers used to collect as well as store rain water for later use. Rain water collected by these barrels have a number of uses ranging from gardening, washing cars, in washing machines, etc. In times when drinking water is unavailable or expensive, water collected through rain barrels can be used for drinking purposes after proper filtration and cleansing. The rain water collected through these barrels would otherwise be lost to run offs and diverted to storm drains and streams. With the use of rain barrels not only would you be conserving the environment but also saving your money.

A rain barrel is a 20 to 100 Gallon Tank, a vinyl hose, PVC couplings and a screen to keep insects and other debris out. It has to be kept in a convenient location under a gutter where the rain Water can be drained into it easily.

A rain barrel can be bought in the market where it is easily available. A rain barrel with easy and minimal installation is suitable and preferable for people lacking required technical skills. Due to various designs, brands, material used and capacity the price of a rain barrel is varied. It is advisable to check out various models which are available in the market or through gardening catalogues before ordering it. Use of different materials such as wood or plastic etc would alter the cost substantially. Heavy duty material is preferable for longer life as well as efficiency though the price might be higher. The existence of online sellers increases easy availability of rain barrels. The average price of rain barrels ranges from $100 to $350.

The given efficiency of rain barrels ranges from 70 to 90%. In an area of 1000 sq feet, for every inch of rain, 600 gallons of water can be collected which can be used for a number of functions while saving money on water bills. Rain barrels have to be positioned carefully for increased efficiency. Easy transferability of the water is important and should be considered while placing it. The placement of an overflow pipe is important and should be diverted away from the building during heavy rain.

In today's world where conservation of the environment and natural resources is the talk of the town, harvesting rain water through rain barrels is a grass root level plan for water conservation. The water if not conserved would be wasted in run offs (which also causes river, stream etc. pollution), is used for various purposes which accounts for a large part of the water usage by a household. The use of these rain barrels would reduce pressure on the water table and tap water supply. Rain water is considered more beneficial for gardening purposes as well as it does not contain chemicals found in regular water supply.

It is observable that a rain barrel requires more than just a barrel for functioning. Analyzing and estimating cost for constructing a rain barrel, it would be around $120 while purchasing the same off the market would set you back by around $200. Comparing the efficiency of a professionally made barrel with a homemade one would be imprudent as the increased efficiency of a purchased barrel would be obvious. There could be problems in making of a barrel by hand which could decrease efficiency. Also, after factoring the cost of tools required for constructing a barrel the cost increases and thus it can be settled that purchasing an easily available barrel is beneficial. It is easily settled that purchasing rain barrels over constructing one is favorable.

Your Budget and the Environment Will Love Your Rain Barrels

2008-12-15T04:11:00.001-08:00

We moved to a new house this year and finally have a yard that has enough plants and bushes that we actually have to water from time to time. Most of our neighbors have the same philosophy that we do about the grass. No one really waters, since the grass will easily grow back after a dry spell. The plants and bushes are another story. We have had an inordinate amount of rain this year. In between those really wet weeks, though, there were really hot weeks. My kids often left their sand buckets outside and they would be full after it rained. I wished I had a bigger version of that, so I could utilize the excessive amounts of water that went unused after those huge rainstorms. It was time for some rain barrels.

I read that watering gardens and lawns consumes a surprising 40 percent of the household water supply during the summer. 40 PERCENT! Capturing rain water with a system of rain barrels can decrease the demand on our municipal water supplies significantly. The state of Maryland estimates that a homeowner could save 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months by utilizing rain barrels. Clean water is one of our precious resources. It should be used wisely. City sewer infrastructures are more frequently overflowing during downpours, due to population increases. Rain barrels can decrease the demand on those systems. Rain water is also free. Harnessing rain water via rain barrels is the cheapest way to water your plants and lawn. If your town has certain times when you are allowed to water, your own supply in rain barrels gives you the option to water anytime you please. Rain water also does not contain chlorine, unlike public water sources.

Rain barrels attach to your gutters and downspouts and store the water for future use. Rain barrels come in all shapes and sizes with a wide price range. If your are looking for beauty in your barrel, more and more companies now offer gorgeous barrels that look like planters. I recommend child proofing your rain barrels, which means making sure all barrels have a secure top or are too narrow for a child to get inside. Many barrel intakes can be fitted with a filter to help keep mosquitoes at bay. Rain barrels with overflow hoses and a spout are also very handy.

If you are a homeowner, get some rain barrels. Even if you do not own your home, get your landlord on board and offer to install a barrel yourself. Help your bottom line and the world by installing some rain barrels. I am the ultimate recycler and am ashamed it took me so long to get on board.

How Rain Barrels Can Help The Environment

2008-12-07T04:19:00.001-08:00

With environmental concerns currently making headlines all over the world, water conservation is fast becoming an important concern. Whether you are presently in the midst of a drought in your area or you are currently experiencing a lot of rain, rain barrels can have a significant on your water consumption and its impact on the environment.

Rain barrels serve to help you collect rainwater and utilize it for your daily needs, which is an important concern with water being quite scarce in many areas nowadays. In addition to helping you save water, rain barrels can also be useful in many other ways. Since rainwater is generally pure and soft, it is ideal of irrigation purposes around the home.

By using rain barrels, you can also save a lot of money that you would normally spend on bills for water that you use from the water provider in your area. If you live in a place that regularly experiences water shortages, rain barrels will also greatly decrease your dependence on the local water supply. A further benefit is that you have a lot more water available to you, which can be used in anything from watering your lawn to washing your cars and windows.

Many people have used a number of commonly available materials such as cans and jars as sort of improvised rain barrels. Ready made rain barrels that are available from stores do a much better job at collecting rainwater however. 55 gallon sizes are what you will most likely see in the stores, although numerous other sizes are available as well. There are also rain barrels sold that are fitted with useful fixtures such as overflow spouts and faucets to connect garden hoses. To help keep the collected rainwater clean and free from contaminants, some rain barrels may also have screens built onto them. You can also buy rain barrels that are designed to connect to each other, allowing you to collect more even more rainwater.

It is clear that rain barrels can have a greatly beneficial impact on your water consumption...and consequently, your impact on the environment...as well as reducing the amount of money that you spend on water utility bills. In addition, rain barrels will help teach your children the importance of water conservation, and hopefully give them a model to follow in their own water conservation efforts in the future.

Do it yourself Water Conservation

2008-12-02T04:01:00.001-08:00

Humanity cannot survive without water and water conservation is the method by which humanity can preserve water resources for future generations. Water conservation begins at home. You should look around your own home for ways to conserve water. You should use low water usage fittings in the toilets and kitchen and install recycling units for water conservation in your own home.

Drip irrigation is the best form of irrigation for water conservation in the garden and watering should be done before 10 am in the morning and after 8 pm at night. For the lawn a variety of turf grass that requires less water than others should be chosen. The washing machine should not be run without a full load and the water at the lowest level. You should plug the sink when you wash dishes to rinse dishes rather than rinse them under the tap for better water conservation at home. It takes a few minor adjustments in your lifestyle to take major strides in water conservation. www.palmettorainbarrels.com