The benefits of rain barrel water capture

There are several advantages for using a rain barrel to capture water from your downspout. The main goal is to reduce the amount of storm water that runs off your property and into an overburdened sewer system.

According to The Land Conservancy organization, residential irrigation can account for 40% of domestic water consumption in a given municipality. Rain barrels not only store water, they help decrease demand during the sweltering summer months and during times of drought. Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free "soft water" containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Because it tends to have fewer types of sediment and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropical plants like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows.

Additional advantages for using a rain barrel:
• Lowers the percentage of roof top rainfall as a component of urban runoff
• Helps to keep our creeks and beaches clean
• Saves money by lowering your water bill
• Reduces the need for additional tax dollars earmarked for sewer expansion
• Educational tool for teaching residents about water conservation

Because of the new found popularity of rain barrels usage, they now come in many styles with a variety additional modern features. And most rain barrels come with a screw on, perforated top with a screen (mesh) under the lid to keep out mosquitoes, bugs, debris, pets and children. If the mosquito screen is intact and there are no leaks where mosquitoes can enter the barrel, your rain barrel should be mosquito-free.

You can also build your own at a local rain barrel workshop class. One local workshop resource is Michael Minor of Mike’s Rain Barrels. Call 757.761.1553 for more information.