If you are looking to make your home more green, it is important to remember that no green home is complete without a program to save water. Water may seem like something that there’s an endless supply of, but that’s not true at all.
Did you know that the average American uses 100 to 250 gallons of water each day? Water is important! Since water must be treated before we consume it, a simple rain water collection system will not be sufficient in keeping our drinking water clean. However, rainwater can be inexpensively and easily harvested for activities such as gardening, flushing the toilet and bathing.
Not only does collecting rainwater for reuse help the environment, it also helps your bank account. If you could cut out the money from flowing out of your faucets each day for watering the garden, washing your car or giving pets a bath then you can quickly start to see the savings adding up on your water bill.
Mother's Organics Painted Rain Barrel
An easy way to collect rainwater is from your roof. When it rains, a large drain pipe can help collect the water a heavy storm produces. It is important to make sure these drains are cleaned and checked regularly. Another option is to cut the spouts to above ground level and let the rainwater drain directly into close rain barrels. In some cases, you can find barrels that will connect directly to a storage tank.
It is important to consult a professional to ensure that the storage volume of your tank is proportionate to the amount of rainfall you expect. You can store this water until you are ready to use it. Remember to clean your barrels regularly to eliminate contaminants such as dirt and bird droppings.
Interesting fact: Did you know that is used to be illegal to collect rain water in certain regions of the United States. Since more and more government officials are now more aware of the reality of climate change, collecting rain water is becoming less and less of a problem. In New Mexico, it is a requirement to build rainwater collection systems into new houses. If you have questions, consult a local contractor to find out the scoop on collecting rain water in your area.
There are many ways you can collect rain. Rain barrels can be found at many places – even Ebay! Ceck out Ebay coupons in their green lifestyle section.
If you’re going to purchase a rain barrel, here are some things to look for:
- Check to see if the lid and screen are easily removable. This will make cleaning easier.
- It absolutely needs a screen to prevent bugs, debris and other contaminants from getting in.
- Does it have an overflow valve at the top of the barrel? These are handy for putting a hose on and connecting it to another rain barrel to gather even more water.
- Make sure your potential barrel has a spigot somewhere at the bottom so you can easily fill up your watering cans or hook hoses up to use the water out of the barrel.
Veronica Davis is a freelance writer and internet business columnist for Examiner. She works with businesses online, including several green sites and saving money sites.
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