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What is the use of rain barrels?

Rain barrels are tanks used to collect and store rain water which can be used to serve a number of purposes. Rain water collected by these barrels have a number of uses ranging from gardening, washing cars, in washing machines, etc. In times when drinking water is unavailable or expensive, water collected through rain barrels can be used for drinking purposes after proper filtration and cleansing. Waste of precious water to runoffs can be controlled by the use of rain barrels the utility of which is evident. The use of rain barrels is for environment conservation and also to save money.
The design of a rain barrel is simple yet efficient. It comprises of 20 to 100 Gallon Tank, a vinyl hose, PVC couplings and a screen to keep insects and other debris out. It can be kept under a Gutter anywhere around the house.
A rain barrel can be bought in the market where it is easily available. A rain barrel with easy and minimal installation is suitable and preferable for people lacking required technical skills. Rain barrels are available at various rates due to different designs, capacity, material used, style and brand etc. There are various models available which should be seen before a choice is made. Different designs and models are present in gardening catalogues as well. The cost of a rain barrel will depend on the material used primarily as it can be made of wood as well as plastic. The use of heavy duty material might be more expensive but would be beneficial and more effective in the long run. Rain barrels are available online through various sellers. The price of a rain barrel ranges from a $100 to $350.
The given efficiency of rain barrels ranges from 70 to 90%. In an area of 1000 sq feet, for every inch of rain, 600 gallons of water can be collected which can be used for a number of functions while saving money on water bills. The placement of rain barrels can also vary efficiency and thus is important. It should be placed in such a location so that transfer for use in gardens etc, is easily possible. It should also have a heavy duty overflow pipe which drains water away from the building when there is heavy rain.
In todays world where conservation of the environment and natural resources is the talk of the town, harvesting rain water through rain barrels is a grass root level plan for water conservation. The water if not conserved would be wasted in run offs (which also causes river, stream etc. pollution), is used for various purposes which accounts for a large part of the water usage by a household. The use of these rain barrels would reduce pressure on the water table and tap water supply. Rain water is considered more beneficial for gardening purposes as well as it does not contain chemicals found in regular water supply.
It is observable that a rain barrel requires more than just a barrel for functioning. Analyzing and estimating cost for constructing a rain barrel, it would be around $120 while purchasing the same off the market would set you back by around $200. This cost however includes installation as well and the efficiency of the purchased barrel can be guaranteed as it is made professionally while the one constructed at home is most likely to have glitches, which decrease efficiency, such as leaks in the tank etc. considering the amount of water it is being build to hold The price of tools used for construction of the barrel would be separate and thus adding those to the cost would put it at par with the one purchased in terms of cost. The advantages of purchasing ready made rain barrels over building one which could be a cumbersome task has been emphasized and should be preferred according to this author.

This Article Was Written By: George Wonderman

Find more information related to water conservation, go to makearainbarrel.freeworld4.com/?The-Effect-of-Using-a-Rain-Barrel-on-the-Environment&action=1097.

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

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