Nearly 100 rain barrels were sold at greatly discounted rates to County residents at a water conservation event in late August. A 55-gallon opaque white rain barrel, downspout diverter, installation guide, and one year product warranty that normally sell for $60 went for just $30. With the rainy season just around the corner, many residents found this an inexpensive way to capture a valuable asset and save it for future use. Many also wanted to know the date and place of the next rain barrel event.
The use of rain barrels is an old idea that is being revitalized. The system is connected to a roof gutter system with an easy-to-install downspout diverter which directs the previously wasted water into the barrel for later uses, such as gardening or other non-potable water applications.
Just one inch of rain falling on a 1,000 square foot roof that would flow into the ground or storm drains can be harvested as 600 gallons of water.
Besides helping to conserve water and reducing water bills, rain barrel systems also reduce storm water runoff by slowing water and allowing it to infiltrate into the ground.
Notice of future rain barrel events will be posted on this site, and available via govdelivery - email updates.
For more information, visit www.rethinkwateruse.org
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