Protecting the Environment with a Rain Barrel
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by: georgewonderman
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Collecting falling water in a barrel or container is not a revolutionary new idea. In fact, the idea of the rain barrel has been around for just as long as irrigation has... pretty much as long as civilization. However, during the last decades, home owners have become more and more reliant on their citys water services. Unfortunately, using falling rainwater is no longer widely done.
Everyone with a budget and a desire to take care of the environment wants to save energy and reduce their water usage. But most households do not realize the benefits they could receive from using a rain barrel. A rain barrel is a large, specially made container that is designed to catch rainwater. These barrels are placed under your roofs drain downspout. When rain falls on the roof of your home, it is swept into your roofs gutters and out through its downspout. Using this method, you can collect huge quantities of falling water.
Environmental Benefits of Using a Rain Barrel
Less storm runoff. While rain is necessary for life, it can be bad for the environment. When it rains, the water that falls travels through our cities and streets before ending up on streams and creeks. As it flows, it collects chemicals, toxins, and other wastes. Routing some rainwater away from natural drainage reduces some of the tainted water that fouls up our rivers.
Less water use. The greatest benefit you will see from utilizing a rain barrel is, of course, 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. As a result of water shortages, many communities are experiencing water supply problems, forcing water rationing. By catching rainwater, however, you can relive some of the burden on your citys water supply, as well as keep your garden and yard healthy and watered year round.
Less power use. We hear more and more about how important it is to reduce our energy usage to protect the environment. However, many people do not think of using power when they use the citys water. The water that comes from our homes pipes is water that is cleaned and pumped through long pipes to our homes. In that process, a ton of energy is used, which in turn hurts the environment.
You can reduce your water usage by thousands of gallons and have plenty of water handy for plants and odd jobs simply by using a rain barrel. The only job rainwater can not fill is satisfying your thirst. Other than that, using a rain barrel is perfect for cleaning your Camaro, watering your camillas... and protecting the Earth.
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