Rain Barrels
The age-old practice of collecting rainwater for use around the house is making a comeback! During the summer months, up to 40 % of the household water usage is used outside on the lawn and garden. Some municipalities in Canada have even developed rainfall barrel programs to promote the resurgence of this practice. In 2007 and 2008 we have experienced two extremes of rainfall levels. 2007 was a very dry year and many areas had watering bans either introduced or expanded; while 2008 provided the other extreme with record-breaking rainfall levels. In either circumstance, collecting rainfall in barrels or cisterns can be used for watering lawns and gardens, filling pools and ponds or washing your car.
There are many benefits to collecting rainfall from your roof. First of all, supplementing your water usage with stored rainwater can lower demands on municipal water supplies and would make a difference - especially during watering bans. Also, the demands on the storm sewer systems could be lessened since the water, which is generally directed to the local drains, could be diverted to storage systems. The use of rainwater for watering is also better for your plants as many of the additives in drinking water are not always beneficial for plant growth. Once you become familiar with using rainwater, you may want to increase your storage as you find more uses for the stored water.
There are three basic collection systems ranging from 200L barrels to underground tanks in excess of 70,000L. The complexity of the system increases with its size. Water diverted into a barrel is the simplest system. As water comes down your downspout, it goes directly into the barrel after going through a filter system to keep out debris and when it is full, the water overflows and goes to its original destination. This stored water can be used to water planters, lawns and gardens by using a watering can or a hose adapted to the system. Adding another barrel will lessen any overflow from the water storage system. If you are reusing barrels, you should not use any barrel that stored chemicals, solvents or oils in its previous use.
The next level of storage is a large above ground tank that will have several different spouts feeding into it. These tanks can range in size from 200L to 5,000L with different shapes for your convenience, some disguised as planters to blend in with your landscape. The larger systems can come equipped with a pump to provide adequate pressure to use as a lawn sprinkler or to wash your car. In both cases, using a barrel or a tank, it is important to use a mesh material (such as a screen) over any open air in order to prevent the stored water from becoming a nesting ground for mosquitoes. Also, it is suggested that you drain both of these types of water storage systems during the winter in order to prevent them from breaking consider the known fact that water expands when frozen. In the spring, when the temperatures rise, you can then start to store water again.
The last level is the use of a cistern. This is a system that has been used in rural areas for years. In some new subdivisions, tanks are being installed below the garage floor and all downspouts are routed to the reservoir. This makes for an excellent use of space, as most homes do not utilize the space below the garage. These houses are being plumbed so that the water can be used in the laundry, toilet, as well as, outdoor taps. The systems have overflow protection built in, in order to prevent the garage or basement from flooding. Also, they are tied into the municipal systems as a supplement to prevent the tank and pump from running dry during periods of low rainfall. These systems can run all year long as the tank is below ground and is unlikely to freeze. Again, as with the above ground systems, debris must be prevented from going into the tank, as the cistern is harder to clean.
There are several factors that can affect the amount of water stored. One is the type of shingles on the roof. The more friction, the less water will make it to the reservoir, this means asphalt shingles have more loss than slate or steel roofing. Secondly, the size of your roof and the percentage that is directed to the storage system. For every 25mm (1 inch) of rain, you can collect approximately 2.3L per .09 squared meter of roof. So, a roof that is 7 m by 3 m would produce approximately 536L of water.
There are many ideas and options to consider if you want to use rainwater as a supplement to your current water usage. If this short article has raised an interest, you can do an online search where you’ll find additional information and pricing on water storage systems.
Written by: Steve Tschanz
Herbs are considered the oldest cultivated plants and are used today, as they were used hundreds of years ago. Herbs are extremely versatile and can be grown in a dozen different ways. They can be grown in a garden bed or in pots located inside your. .
There may be a new provincial or municipal law implemented in your area this year that restricts the use of many or all of the traditional methods to control insects or weeds in your lawn; or it may be another beautiful day with all avenues available. .
