Rain Barrels And the Homeowner
Also known as water butts in the UK and rainwater tanks in many parts of the United States, rain barrels are water containers wherein rain water from rooftops is collected and stored. This water usually passes through rain gutters that are installed on roofs. Related storage vessels called rainwater tanks on the other hand are used primarily for the collection of harvested rain. Rain barrels are sometimes installed to collect water running off from concrete patios and even driveways.
Rain barrels are used in many ways, the most common of which is storing rain water that can be used later on when needed. With this usage, they can greatly decrease the consumption of water from the mains supply, which is of course a great benefit in terms of economical and environment considerations. Storing rain water for later use also allows you to be self sufficient, in that you will not be as dependent on the water from your main source to some extent, depending on your particular rate of water consumption.
The water that is stored in the rain barrels can be used in many ways, among them for watering the garden and other agricultural applications, for use in the home (particularly for the bathroom), in washing machines, for cleaning cars, and depending on how clean it is, as drinking water. This is particularly helpful when there is an unavailability of your regular water supply, or if the water in your area is either costly or poor quality. For this reason, rain barrels are often used in dry climates during the rainy season for storing water for later use in the dry season. In any case, water that is collected from rain barrels must still be protected against contamination and filtered if possible.
Some rain barrels can be a bit expensive, but their many uses means that they will pay for themselves in the long run. As an alternative, many homeowners use smaller rain barrels that collect smaller quantities of water. Rain barrels can even be fashioned from food containers that have been recycled, transport barrels, and even barrels used in the production of wine and whiskey. These rain barrels are usually very cheap. Keep in mind that with these types of rain barrels, it is important to make sure that they are sufficiently sealed in order to prevent the entry of mosquitoes. Even if it seems that mosquitoes are not able to enter, rain barrels can still be a breeding ground for mosquito larvae if there is no proper filtering in place.