Why You Need a Rain Barrel Now!
One only needs to read about Flint Michigan's ongoing problems related to their water system to realize that clean water may not always be available to us.
In a 2020 article, The Guardian reported that many Detroit families are still, in 2020, without clean water.
The addition of the current pandemic has reinforced the need for basic hygiene and sanitary practices, and clean water is certainly a necessity for that.
Storing bottled water is a great idea, but in a situation that causes clean water to be difficult to find for an extended period of time, eventually, that bottled water supply will run out.
To have a continual source of clean water, get one or more rain barrels. Installing a rain barrel is a simple and easy way to have peace of mind, save money while conserving water.
With a rain barrel and an abundant supply of rainwater, you can depend more on yourself, and less on the public water utility company.
Many arid or drought-prone regions have restrictions on lawn watering, and a rain barrel system is an excellent way to get around these rules.
Types of Rain Barrels
There are many types of rain barrels to choose from. Click on the pictures below to read more about them.
FCMP Outdoor WG4000-BRN Wood Grain Rain Barrel, Brown
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon ECO Rain Water Collection Barrel Made with 100% Recycled Plastic Spigot, Black
Goplus Portable Rain Barrel Water Collector Collapsible Tank w/Spigot Water Storage Container (53 Gallon)
Good Ideas RW40-OAK Rain Wizard Rain Barrel 40-Gallon, Oak
Good Ideas RW-UNI001-OAK Rain Wizard Universal Stand, Oak
Gardener's Supply Company 75-Gallon Rain Barrel
Rain Barrel, DIY Kit, Used Food Grade Barrel, Upcycled, 58 Gallon Size
How Rain Barrels can Save you Money
The EPA has stated that just a quarter of an inch of rainfall can yield up to 150 gallons of water from a 1000 foot rooftop. So if you have public water, you can save money on your water bill.
Also according to the EPA, rain barrels have the ability to save the average homeowner 1300 gallons of water, which is a lot of water that does not become runoff. In addition, most people don’t realize that conserving water can also save energy. Over 9% of the electricity in the United States is used to pump, treat and heat water.
Using Rain Water for Drinking Water
The pureness of the rainwater depends on the atmosphere. If there are contaminants present in the air, the rain will absorb them.
Rain can wash different types of contaminants into the water you collect, so you can't assume that undistilled rainwater is safe to drink.
The EPA has issued guidelines on how to disinfect water. To learn more about this, click here.
Using Rainwater on your Plants
Plants need three things; healthy soil, sunlight, and rainwater.
Unlike tap water, rainwater is extremely nutrient-dense, clean, and free from chlorine and other chemicals used in the disinfection process. Yes, rainwater is full of bacteria and microorganisms, but it’s good bacteria and good microorganisms that our soil needs in order to be healthy.
And because rainwater is not treated with chemicals, it's not harmful to anything downstream of your garden.
Using Rainwater On Edible Plants
Because rainwater flows over a roof surface, it can pick up pollutants such as bacteria from birds and other animals, and chemicals from roof materials. Those are important factors to consider when thinking about using rain barrel water on edible plantings.
Rainwater for Wildlife
Similar to plants, animals prefer rainwater over municipal tap water! Use your harvested rainwater in a birdbath for local birds, bees, and other visiting wildlife to enjoy.
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