April 8, 2012
by Willi The Worm
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Rain water is a consistently available natural resource, and collecting and conserving it is an efficient way to cut down on the cost of water in your house. Placing a rain barrel underneath the gutters of your home can provide a barrel full of rain water in a downpour, which in turn can be used to water your garden or wash your car. And rainwater is better for your plants anyway!
You can buy a rain barrel and water diverter from home and garden stores for a little as $100. Some cities, like right here in Oakland, have rain barrel programs where you can get them at deeply discounted rates. Check out one you can buy for $45 rather than $150 this weekend.
- The Water Cycle and your Rain Barrel
Rain barrels can help the water cycle to normalize. In the water cycle, water that evaporates from lakes, streams and even the sea falls as rain and re-charges ground aquifers. This water again flows back to the lakes and sea, and is also used by people. Now with increasing concrete and buildings, the water does not fall into the ground anymore.
What happens when the water cycle breaks? The water table drops and water shortages occur, and we end up paying higher water bills. And the rain gets diverted into sewers so it flows into the bay with all the garbage and pollution, which also causes erosion. Inadvertently, through human activities, one part of the cycle is out of sync, causing a lot of harm.
Rain barrels act like your own reservoir! On one hand, they help you hold down water bills. On the other, they prevent erosion, which can be important if you live on a hillside. And you do your bit to prevent excessive runoff and pollution – how can you resist?
More info: Check out the Rain Barrel Guide website, to learn how to harvest and use rainwater. Oaklanders may purchase 65-gallon “Moby” barrels online here – and pick them up at Kaiser Elementary, 25 South Hill Court (map) on various Saturdays scheduled by the city.
