Rain Barrels: Save Water, Money, & Your Neighbor's Yard!

Last summer, our town experienced water restrictions that allowed homeowners to water vegetable gardens and new landscaping but did not include watering existing landscaping or lawns. At other times we were limited to water use on specific days. While it rains more here than it does in Seattle (Google it), we still have water management issues that make water usage a pain point for the whole community. Besides water supply, our stormwater system is becoming more stressed with the exponential growth in our communities and flooding is becoming more prominent. With each major rain event, I watch the edge of our stormwater culvert expand into my neighbor's yard down below us and wonder how long before that water is in their foundation or even their home. 
 

But what if I told you that during an hour long rain event you could collect about 235 gallons of water that you could be using on your garden? Now imagine if ALL your neighbors did the same thing and took that same rain out of the stormwater system! Game changer!
 

With just one rain event, rain barrels will most likely fill. With just three 45 gallon rain barrels (most houses will have at least 4 downspouts), you can water everything in your yard for the week except your grass. All those flowers, vegetable gardens, landscaping shrubs, and trees can be watered by using water from a rain barrel. But maybe you've heard bad things about rain barrels. Let me break down the myths so you too can enjoy this tiny miracle in your own yard! 

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Done Correctly, Rain Barrels will not ruin your foundation! 
First, make sure you prepare your rain barrel location to make sure that your barrel is level. This is very important to install the barrel correctly. Next, make sure you buy a rain barrel that contains a diverter that allows the water to simply run out of your downspout should the barrel become full. With a simple drill and a special drill bit that comes with your rain barrel or diverter kit, you will be able to install the downspout diverter into your downspout. I did it myself. When winter comes, drain the barrel and remove the hose from the barrel and the downspout and install the diverter cover until spring. This is as simple as using a screwdriver! Repeat in spring.
 

Closed-system rain barrels do not breed mosquitos! 
There are so many models on the market so simply remember to look for a closed-system rain barrel. That means that the water is coming from the inside of the downspout, through a diverter, and directly into your rain barrel without ever seeing the outside world. Buying a system that has the water running out of a downspout and into a hole in the top that is either mesh screened or open is definitely asking for mosquitos. Plus, buying a closed-system with a secure top makes it safer to have around without animals falling into it. If you have children in your yard, think about how to secure the top as well for safety sake. If you do buy a closed system and still manage to get mosquitos, you can buy naturally occurring Mosquito Dunks that float and release a natural soil borne bacterium, Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israeliensis) that will control the problems safely. 

 

Things to remember!

• Do NOT drink water from your barrel! It comes from your roof which has chemicals and metals that are leached from the shingles. Just no. It isn't worth it. However, soil is great at filtering our water so when applied to your garden soil, it is perfectly fine to consume fruits and vegetables grown with it. Your garden receives this water most likely anyway from your downspout if that helps you to think about how this works and that it really is ok. Just don't get thirsty and take a slurp from your rain barrel! 

• Rainwater from your barrel can be used to water vegetables and fruit as that's been shown to be ok. Read more about this for yourself here: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1218/ The best practice is to water the ground and not the plant and, "water should be applied in the morning only. Produce harvesting should not take place right after watering in order to benefit from leaf drying and ultraviolet light disinfection."

• Rainwater can be used on landscaping and flower gardens without restrictions or special practices. In areas that are mixed with fruits and vegetables too, make sure to use safe water use habits above. 

• Drain your barrel once a week to keep from collecting algae.

• Scrub the barrel periodically with 3% bleach to keep algae down.

• Read more about safe water harvesting for use on food plants in your garden here: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1218/

• Bring your rain barrel(s) in during the winter. They will freeze and crack.