Rain Barrels

What are they?

A rain barrel is any above ground container modified to receive, store, and distribute rooftop runoff for non-drinking uses. The typical size of a rain barrel is 55 gallons. The main components of a rain barrel are a connection to the downspout, a filter to prevent mosquitoes from entering, a faucet to allow for regulated usage, and an overflow pipe to divert the excess water.rain barrel

What are the benefits of rain barrels?

  • Saves water for dry spells.
  • Reduces runoff and stormwater pollution.
  • Can reduce your water bill, especially in the summer.

How can the water collected be used?

The rainwater collected can be used to water lawns and gardens or wash cars and bicycles. Rainwater collected within the barrel is safe for plants because the typical minerals and pollutants trapped in the rainwater are filtered out by plant roots. Rainwater collected in the rain barrel is not for drinking; rainwater is more acidic than tap water and may contain particulate matter from air pollution.

How much do they cost?

Rain barrels cost anywhere from $20 to $300. The fancier the rain barrel, the more the cost. Costs can be reduced if the barrel is installed by the homeowner. In the summer, lawn and garden watering account for 40% of average household water usage. By adding a rain barrel, the need for municipal water is reduced. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a rain barrel can potentially save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.

Are there different colors, designs, and types of rain barrels?

rain barrel

Rain barrels come in essentially any design or style. However, most regular rain barrels are usually black or blue plastic. Since only a ½ inch rainfall on a 160 square foot roof will fill a 55 gallon rain barrel, some people choose to get a tandem barrel (2 barrels at 1 downspout) or another barrel at a different downspout.

What type of maintenance is required?

The barrel will require periodic cleaning. A safe cleaning solution is 2 teaspoons of castile soap and 2 teaspoons of vinegar per gallon of water or 2 teaspoons of lemon juice per gallon of water. In the winter, the barrel will need to be emptied and disconnected from the downspout.

Why is Nebraska H2O promoting rain barrels?

The main function of a rain barrel is to capture rainwater from a rooftop downspout and reduce stormwater runoff. Many homeowners around the country are installing rain barrels on their property. Rain barrels are effective in reducing your municipal water usage dedicated to lawn and garden watering. According to the EPA, 40% of all spring and summer water use is dedicated to lawn and garden watering. Not only are rain barrels functional additions to any landscape, the amount of stormwater runoff and associated pollutants, leaving yards and entering nearby steams, lakes, and wetlands can be reduced. Constructing, installing, and maintaining a rain barrel will help to reduce pollution and keep our streams and lakes healthy.

Thinking of Installing a Rain Barrel? Let us know! We’d be interested in your comments, the success of your barrel, and pictures. Please send information to your stormwater representative in your local community.


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