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Rain Barrels Are Good For You and the Environment
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. My husband is adamant about not watering the grass in our yard, even when we hit a hot and dry patch with the weather. Luckily, the majority of our neighbors have the same opinion. The bushes and other plants, however, do require some attention. A dry spell can do them in. The rainfall in our area has been above normal this year. There were also weeks of high temperatures that parched even the most resilient plant. 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. I realized that rain barrels were the answer.
I read a shocking statistic once that an estimated 40 percent of household water in the summer months is used to water gardens and lawns. 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. The most inexpensive way to keep your yard green is by using rain barrels to capture rain water. 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.
Utilizing your existing downspouts and gutters, rain barrels offer a place to store the harnessed water for when you need it. Rain barrels come in all shapes and sizes with a wide price range. There are basic plastic barrels, or a fancy pottery barrels that will dazzle your neighbors. Keep children and pets safe by assuring your rain barrels have secure tops or tops that cannot be opened. Many barrel intakes can be fitted with a filter to help keep mosquitoes at bay. Make your life easier by buying rain barrels that have a tap at the bottom to attach a hose, as well as an overflow hose.
If you are a homeowner, get some rain barrels. If you rent, ask your landlord about installing one or two. They are so easy to install and use, I cannot imagine you would be turned down. 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.
