Rain Barrels Can Help Save the World

We lived in a row house in the city for years and years and did not have a big enough yard to even worry about watering when the weather was hot and dry. We recently moved to a house with a bigger yard that requires more maintenance and attention. Most of our neighbors have the same philosophy that we do about the grass. No one really waters, since the grass will easily grow back after a dry spell. The bushes and other plants, however, do require some attention. A dry spell can do them in. The rainfall in our area has been above normal this year. There were also weeks of high temperatures that parched even the most resilient plant. My kids often left their sand buckets outside and they would be full after it rained. I wished I had a bigger version of that, so I could utilize the excessive amounts of water that went unused after those huge rainstorms. It was time for some rain barrels.
I read a shocking statistic once that an estimated 40 percent of household water in the summer months is used to water gardens and lawns. Capturing rain water with a system of rain barrels can decrease the demand on our municipal water supplies significantly. The Maryland Environmental Design Program believes rain barrels could allow a consumer to save about 1,300 gallons of water during peak water usage months. Water is already scarce in many places. It should not be squandered. Rain barrels can also reduce the pressure on municipal sewage systems, which often get overloaded during downpours. Rain water is also free. The most inexpensive way to keep your yard green is by using rain barrels to capture rain water. Having a stash of water in rain barrels also allows you to water at your leisure, if your city has any water restriction times. Municipal water contains chlorine, which is not so good for our soil or environment. Rain water is chlorine free.
Rain barrels attach to your gutters and downspouts and store the water for future use. Rain barrels come in all shapes and sizes with a wide price range. There are basic plastic barrels, or a fancy pottery barrels that will dazzle your neighbors. I recommend child proofing your rain barrels, which means making sure all barrels have a secure top or are too narrow for a child to get inside. Many barrel intakes can be fitted with a filter to help keep mosquitoes at bay. Rain barrels with overflow hoses and a spout are also very handy.
If you are a homeowner, get some rain barrels. Even if you do not own your home, get your landlord on board and offer to install a barrel yourself. Help your bottom line and the world by installing some rain barrels. I am embarrassed that my environmentally conscious household waited so long to do it.