| * Cisterns and Rain barrels reduce storm water | | | | contamination of surface water with sediments, |
| runoff, prevent flooding and help to reduce the | | | | fertilizers, and pesticides. Water Pollution can cause |
| peak discharge rate. | | | | problems at a basic level by killing life that lives in |
| * Cisterns and Rain barrels save on water and | | | | water-based ecosystems. |
| sewer bills | | | | The most common approach to roof runoff |
| * Cisterns and Rain barrels provide healthy, | | | | storage involves directing each downspout to a |
| chemical-free water for irrigation of lawns, | | | | 55-gallon rain barrel. A hose is attached to a |
| gardens, and trees, car washing, or other | | | | faucet at the bottom of the barrel and water is |
| non-potable uses even during outdoor watering | | | | distributed by gravity pressure. Since rain barrels |
| bans. | | | | rely on gravity flow, they should be placed near, |
| * Rain barrels a * Public water systems | | | | and slightly higher than, the point of use (whether |
| experience lower peak water demand and less | | | | a garden, flower bed, or lawn.) The barrels should |
| stress on local water supplies. | | | | be high enough to easily attach a garden hose to |
| In many communities, 30 to 50 percent of the | | | | the spigot. |
| total water used is for irrigation. Capturing | | | | A plastic or metal garbage can is easily converted |
| rainwater for use in you landscaping makes | | | | to a rain barrel by attaching a spigot and hose. To |
| efficient use of a valuable resource and reduces | | | | filter out leaves and debris, install a removable |
| demand on your local water supply. | | | | screen at the opening. This also will help prevent |
| A prolonged drought can cause the loss of many | | | | mosquito and algae growth. You can also hook |
| valuable landscaping plants and prompt water | | | | two or more rain barrels together using through |
| rationing. Water conservation and development of | | | | hull barbed fittings available at any marine supply |
| alternative water supplies is necessary to meet | | | | store. Seal the fitting with silicone and run a |
| the growing demand for fresh water. | | | | section of garden hose from one barrel to the |
| Cisterns and Rain barrels create an alternative | | | | next. |
| water supply. They allow you to capture, divert, | | | | A Cistern is a larger above or below ground |
| and store rainwater for later use. They take up | | | | water storage system. A more sophisticated and |
| very little room and so can be used in very dense | | | | effective approach is to route multiple |
| urban areas. | | | | downspouts to a partially or fully buried cistern |
| Heavy rainfall can wash pathogens from | | | | with an electric pump for distribution. Cisterns |
| contaminated soils, farms, and streets into our | | | | may be quite large, and shared by multiple |
| drinking water supplies. Capturing rainwater can | | | | households. Stored rain water can be used for |
| also help to prevent flooding and erosion, turning | | | | lawn irrigation, vegetable and flower gardens, |
| storm water problems into water supply assets | | | | houseplants, car washing, and washing windows. |
| by slowing runoff and allowing it to soak into the | | | | How much rain you can catch: |
| ground. | | | | Rain caught (gallons) = (inches of rain) x (0. |
| Reducing storm water runoff helps reduce | | | | |