What is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a way to capture rain and stormwater runoff from the downspout of the common roof to be stored and used as secondary greywater, for such things as the irrigation of a garden or lawn.
For thousands of years human beings have been harnessing the power of rain, in all sorts of conditions, the world over, changing and adapting their methods to fit that culture and heritage of the moment. Rain barrels are a manifestation of that simple human logic.
The most common rain barrels in the U.S. are:
- made from 55-gallon (208 liter) food grade recycled plastic barrels in blue, white or black
- complete with a downspout intake feed, a spigot, a hose or irrigation fitting to redirect excess water, a screen filter and a mosquito tight lid
- used as an internal product at home, by people who generally care about the environment and want to reduce erosion, sedimentation, and pollution while preventing storm drain overwhelming
- not used for collecting drinking water as most roofs in America are made from slightly toxic materials such as asphalt
- of a 100 percent hygienic and non-toxic origin and 100% mosquito proof
Source: Aaron Pratt, Aaron’s Rain Barrels
sprinklerrepair
posted on March 3rd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Sprinkler barrels are great. I’ve got six, although they are not that attractive. They are just blue plastic 55 gallon drums without lids.
Studies have proven that automatic sprinkler systems, in general, do NOT save water. Why? Human laziness (or being just to busy.)
It’s a lot of work to drag a hose around your yard. Automatic “set it and forget it” lawn sprinkler systems lull us into an attitude of “I’ve got a rain sensor so I am doing my part.”
Wrong! Rain sensors are for when you are on vacation. There is a much better way of using automatic sprinklers, and your landscape will benefit.
Watch a step-by-step video here (not a sales page):
http://www.irrigationrepair.com/How_Long_To_Water_Your_lawn.html
gman1
posted on June 10th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Plastic rain barrels CAN look attractive. I have the Cascata rain barrel and my neighbours mistake it for true teracotta!
Check out details on my blog:
http://garden-pond-accents.blogspot.com/2008/05/great-new-pictures-of-my-rain-barrel.html