Rain barrels are very cool green home accessories. One simple rain barrel can save around 1,300 gallons of water in the summer months – so once you consider the year round savings, it’s pretty outstanding.
Other reasons to use a rain barrel?
- Reduced water pollution because a rain barrel reduces stormwater runoff.
- The water saved in a rain barrel can be used for a multitude of tasks.
- Rain barrels are low cost to build and use.
- Rainwater used for lawn and garden help to replenish groundwater – but naturally.
Once you build your rain barrel you can paint and decorate it anyway you choose, and children can be taught how to gather water for the garden from a rain barrel (a good lesson in early water conservation).
To see a video and a link to written instructions about how to make your own rain barrel read: Building & Installing a Rain Barrel.
[image and more information available from Pathway to Water Quality]