Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Five Gallon Ideas
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

The benefits of rain barrels

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


This article is taken from Five Gallon Ideas, which features over 100 uses for 5 gallon buckets with more being added all the time.

It’s a great idea to capture rainwater yourself using rain barrels, for multiple reasons. To start with, the sewer system can become overburdened when too much rain falls simultaneously. When every house in a neighborhood captures rain in barrels, you reduce the risk of having raw sewage flood into your gardens during extreme downpours, as happened to me last summer. Trust me, you’d rather avoid that!

In addition to this, excessive rainfall can easily damage your crops. All the water that falls on your roof has to end up somewhere! Capturing the water that falls on your roof in a rain barrel for later use can do wonders to reduce water damage to your plants.

Finally, rainwater collection can be used to reduce your own water bill. Some people with professional collection systems witness a 35-40% reduction in their water use simply by capturing their rainwater. The problem in California and many other places is not that too little rain falls, but rather the rain tends to fall all at once and ends up wasted.

The legality of rainwater collection

Sadly, some jurisdictions have made it illegal to collect the rainwater that falls on your own roof. In other jurisdictions, local governments actually encourage citizens to capture rainwater, to relief their own sewer system or reduce water usage. You can even receive subsidies in some places. It’s definitely worth checking first.

Rainwater capture and mosquitoes

It’s not always a good idea to capture rainwater with an open barrel like we showed you above. In places with mosquito borne diseases like dengue fever, zika or malaria, you will definitely want a rainwater barrel that insects can’t reach. For this purpose we would recommend this rain barrel by RTS Home Accents:

Why this one? If you look carefully, you can notice here that the water falls on a filter. This filter prohibits any insects from entering the barrel, but does allow the water through. If you live in a climate where insects are a concern, this is very important. By capturing the rainwater in this manner, you can actually prevent stagnant pools from forming in your garden where insects may lay their eggs.

What to do with all that rainwater?

Rainwater you collect yourself is generally seen as grey water, as it might have some contaminants it picked up on its way into your barrel. With a filtration system, you can turn it into water you can safely drink. There are many other great uses for rainwater however. You can use it to flush your toilet, this is especially useful if you have a simple off-grid composting toilet. You can also use it to irrigate your plants. We have a great article on plant irrigation with rainwater here.

The post The benefits of rain barrels appeared first on Five Gallon Ideas.

For many more ways to use 5 gallon buckets for self sufficiency, visit Five Gallon Ideas. When citing this article, please link to


Source: http://fivegallonideas.com/the-benefits-of-rainwater-barrels/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.