Ecologically Sound Water Usage and the Rain Barrel
 
   

Catching rainwater as it falls is an age old idea. The concept of a rain barrel and other types of rain catchers has been in use as long as agriculture... which is thousands of years. However, during the last decades, home owners have become more and more reliant on their city's water services. And collecting rainwater has taken a back seat.

Every household with a budget to follow (and some concern for the environment) cares about preserving water. 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. They do this collection at the drain downspout of your home's drainage system. When rain falls on the roof of your home, it is swept into your roofs gutters and out through its downspout. This allows you to collect large amounts of rain water as it falls.

Ecological Benefits of a Rain Barres

Reduces storm water runoff. Did you know that, though rain is good for an ecosystem, it can be bad for the environment? When rain falls, it flows through our city streets before being carried to creeks and rivers. As it flows, it collects chemicals, toxins, and other wastes. If you collect some of that rainwater instead of allowing it to flow away, you can reduce the pollution of our rivers.

Reduced water usage. Of course, the most significant effect of using a rain barrel is the reduced 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 city's water supply, as well as keep your garden and yard healthy and watered year round.

Reduced power usage. We all know that reducing the amount of energy we use to power our homes is important for the environment. But many of us do not consider the power usage implied by using municipal water. When we use water directly from our pipes, that water must be cleaned, filtered, and pumped all the way to us. There are countless processes in water processing that use up energy and, unfortunately, harm 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. Otherwise, rain barrel water is great for washing your car, watering your garden... and doing your part to protect the environment.

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Article Author: Al Zan
Author Home Page: Search optimization
Article Category: Environment and Green
Article Topic: Environment and Green
Article Keywords: Plastic rain barrels,Water conservation,Rain barrel,Water conservation,Rain barrel