FAQ
What is a rain barrel and what does it do?
A rain barrel is anything that can collect and store rain water and is sometimes referred to as a rain saver, cistern, or rain harvester. Rain barrels come in several shapes and sizes but they all do the same thing: catch rain and store it for future use.
Why should I use a rain barrel…
The earth is 70% covered in water but roughly 98% of it is found in our oceans, leaving just 2% of fresh water to use. Of that 2%, 1.6% is locked in polar caps (which are slowly melting into the oceans) and another .36% is underground or otherwise difficult to access…which means we have access to about .10% of the available water supply on Earth. As populations grow, fresh water sources diminish further. It’s calculated that nearly 1 billion people worldwide are without sufficient water. Nearly 400 million people die yearly due to water borne illnesses. And those numbers are growing. The bottom line is we are running out of water. The easiest way to curb our water consumption is to collect the rain water as it falls to the earth.
…And what are the benefits?
Rain barrels are mostly utilized to water lawns, gardens, and food crops during times of drought. This action cuts out a significant drain on municipal water supplies which are becoming more and more stressed. In the United States, water is used in the summer far more than all other seasons combined. And about 40% of that water usage takes place outside. The cost in savings to the household can be felt over time and eventually pay for the rain barrel itself. But if you’re using water for plants, harvested water will be far more beneficial than the harsh, chlorinated water that comes from the tap; yielding bigger, healthier plants. Those in some rural communities have even started treating the water they collect, making it potable and keeping the household completely sustainable (in terms of water).
How else can saving rain water help?
By collecting rain water, we reduce the amount of runoff into streams and rivers. This cuts down on the amount of hazardous chemicals that can be washed into fragile habitats and even keep our own supplies from being contaminated. It further reduces the amount of water borne pathogens in these eco systems. With reduced amounts of water flowing into our sewers, the water collection and treatment plants suffer less stress and incurred costs (costs which they always pass on to the customer).
Can I build a rain barrel or should I buy one?
Of course you can build your own rain barrel! It’s an excellent way to recycle plastic or metal containers that you may have lying around. However, if you don’t have the necessary items in your possession already, you may end up spending more on supplies than purchasing a high quality one from a manufacturer. Another advantage to buying is that most manufactured rain barrels are certified to be in contact with food items such as edible plants. You’ll also find that these barrels are almost always made of recycled plastic and are environmentally friendly. But the best reason to buy a barrel is because most manufactured barrels have improved rain harvesting technology that make the whole process nearly effortless. And with several manufacturers competing, you can find a huge variety of beautiful, functional, rain barrels at great prices.
What size rain barrel should I get?
It all depends on your needs. If you only have a few potted plants and little yard to speak of, a 20-40 gallon rain barrel might be just right for you. But if you have large gardens or a bigger yard, you may opt for 50-100+ gallons. While you consider the size of your barrel think of this: An average sized roof of 1000 square feet will produce nearly 600 gallons of water after only half an inch of rain. Also consider that on average, the typical American will use about .5 gallon of water per square foot of garden or watered lawn in a week.
How do I install my rain barrel?
Every rain barrel is different and the manufacturer will have instructions for their specific setup. But each rain barrel will typically have the same steps. You’ll first need to determine which downspout you want to use for your primary setup location. Then modify your downspout by attaching a diverter kit or by cutting the spout to fit over the barrel.
What else can I do to remain sustainable and eco friendly?
Composters are another great way to recycle natural resources. They allow you to collect the scraps from your kitchen and yard and then turn them into fresh compost. Compost is essentially nutrient rich soil. The whole process cuts down on the amount of organic waste that goes into landfills which accounts for about 25 million tons of wasted material annually. The amount of greenhouse gasses that these materials produce would be the equivalent of 7.8 million passenger cars running on the road a year. For more information, browse our composters or go to www.compostermart.com.
Where can I find more information?
Just contact us via our contact page and we’ll answer whatever questions you have.
