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The Environment, Water Usage, and Using a Rain Barrel

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.
Every household with a budget to follow (and some concern for the environment) cares about preserving water. But many of those very same people do not even know about the existence of a rain barrel. A bulky, specially designed container, a rain barrel simply collects rainwater. They do this collection at the drain downspout of your homes drainage system. 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.
Ecological Benefits of a Rain Barres
Reduces storm water 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.
Improved water efficiency. Of course, the most significant effect of using a rain barrel is the reduced water usage. In the summer time, up to 40% of a households water usage goes to watering their garden and lawn. Because of this, there are yearly water shortages in many cities nationwide, with rationing programs and overuse fines. 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.
Energy efficiency. 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. 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. Pretty much the only thing you cannot do with collected rainwater is drink it. Otherwise, rain barrel water is great for washing your car, watering your garden... and doing your part to protect the environment.

This Article Was Written By: George Wonderman

Learn the real scoop on rain barrels, visit www.palmettorainbarrels.com.

Article Source: http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/diy

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