Rain Barrels
Rain barrels, considered by many as outdated technology, are on the comeback. Sure, they are old fashioned. In fact, collecting rainwater for use in barrels or other containers is an ancient practice. Historical records show that they have been used in Thailand as far back as 2,000 years ago.
Residential water use typically increases 40 to 50 % during summer months due to outdoor water use. A rain barrel can reduce this usage by collecting and storing storm water from your rooftop. It is usually connected to a downspout from your roof gutters. Depending on the size of your house and the amount of rainfall, you can collect substantial quantities of rainwater with a simple system. This free water can noticeably cut your water bill. Using rainwater instead of tap water can help to improve the health of your gardens, lawns, and trees. Rain is naturally soft water and devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason, plants respond very well to rainwater. After all, it’s what plants in the wild thrive on!
To keep your rain barrel safe, make sure it has either a small enough opening that a child cannot fall in, or a safety strip reducing the size of the opening. Also make sure it is located in an area where there is no chance that it could fall over. A 55 gallon drum weighs more than 450 pounds when full. Also make sure it has a screened in lid to keep out mosquitoes and other insects searching for a breeding ground.
Where Can I Get A Rain Barrel?
Check with your local garden center or stores such as Tractor Supply, Home Depot, and Lowes as they sometimes have rain barrels for sale.
The Butler County Storm Water District often has some rain barrels for sale at cost. They can be reached at (513) 785-4101
A search on the web will come up with several options, but please be sure to look at the shipping charges as they can in some cases be expensive.