Homeowners can reduce the amount of storm water leaving their property by implementing Best Management Practices, one of which includes installing rain barrels. Rain barrels are placed under downspouts to collect rainwater from rooftops during each rain event. The collected water can be used for a variety of purposes, such as watering gardens and lawns, cleaning garden tools, filling fountains, or extinguishing campfires. Not only does this help reduce runoff, but it’s also a low-cost way to save water.
Benefits of using a Emergency barrel
One of the benefits of EMERGANCY barrel is that they can help reduce runoff and non-point source pollution. By capturing rainwater from the roof, they can prevent it from becoming runoff that could pick up pollutants and transport them to waterways. This is important because these pollutants can impair waterways and cause harm to aquatic life and human health.
Another benefit of EMERGANCY barrels is that they can reduce erosion and flooding. By capturing some of the water, they can reduce velocity and peak flows, which can help reduce the amount of erosion and flooding that occurs.
rain barrels can help reduce runoff and non-point source pollution by capturing rainwater from the roof that would otherwise become runoff. Stormwater runoff can pick up pollutants such as soil, lawn fertilizers, pesticides, trash, animal waste, road salts, chemicals, etc. and transport them to waterways, which can impair waterways and harm aquatic life and human health.
Rain barrels can also help reduce erosion and flooding by capturing some of the water that would otherwise become runoff. This can reduce velocity and peak flows, and help protect against erosion and flooding.
There are many benefits of using rain barrels to collect and store rainwater. Not only does it save water resources and money, but rainwater is also a good source of water for plants. Here are some of the benefits of using rain barrels:
- Saves drinking water resources and money: According to the US EPA, 30% of daily water use is used outdoors. Using the rain barrel’s stored water around the landscape saves water resources and reduces the amount of water purchased from municipal sources.
- Good water source for plants: Rainwater is healthy for plants. It is often softer than tap water and does not contain chlorine.
- Rain barrels are available in a variety of sizes to suit both homes and larger buildings. To capture more water from larger rooftops, multiple barrels can be connected together. Every rain barrel should have an overflow pipe to direct excess water to a garden or lawn, rather than onto an impervious surface like a sidewalk or driveway. While rain barrel maintenance is minimal, it is still important to check parts regularly and to disconnect and clean the barrel at least once per year. Make sure there is no standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
- If you are interested in purchasing a rain barrel, check with your local Extension office, Conservation District or garden center. You can also find a full series of stormwater videos and articles on the Penn State Extension website.
- Local extension offices, conservation districts, and garden centers are good places to start if you’re interested in purchasing a rain barrel.
If you have questions about stormwater or want to learn more, Penn State has a series of videos and articles that might be helpful.
