Benefits of Rain Barrels

Installing a rain barrel benefits the environment in 2 main ways:

• Reduces unnecessary usage of freshwater for home and garden use (when usage of rainwater will suffice)
• Rainwater harvesting reduces storm-water run-off

Reducing Water usage

 Water is the most essential resource in the world because the existence of carbon-based life forms (plants, animals, humans) is completely reliant on water. Earth’s global population is expected to reach 8.1 billion by 2030. However, in order to keep pace with the growing population, 14% more freshwater will be required in 30 years just for agricultural purposes!

Only 2.5% of our water supply is considered freshwater. The rest is found in the form of salt water in oceans. Of the freshwater that exists, most is locked up in glaciers and ice caps. Unfortunately, much of our drinkable freshwater is in danger of drying up through desertification or becoming too contaminated for human consumption.

Rainwater is naturally low in salt and chlorine, which is good for plants. The installation of a rain barrel not only helps to store water for use during times of drought and water restrictions, but it also helps to save you money.

Reducing Storm-Water Run-off

Urbanization has destroyed the natural filtration that water goes through before re-entering the water table. Furthermore, during heavy storms, water can overload sewers, which causes untreated sewage to overflow into lakes and rivers. Changing our habits of water use can help abate these growing problems. Installing a rain barrel will help to reduce the storm water run-off by diverting unfiltered water away from the water table and sewers.