What
is a rain barrel?
A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rain water from your roof that would
otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains, streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Composed of a 55 gallon drum and
some minor accessories, a rain barrel is relatively simple and can sit conveniently under any residential gutter down spout.
What are the advantages of a rain barrel?
Lawn and garden watering make up nearly
40% of total household water use during the summer. A rain barrel collects water and stores it for when you need it most --
during periods of drought -- to water plants, wash your car, or to top a swimming pool. It provides an ample supply of free
'soft water' to homeowners, containing no chlorine, lime or calcium making it ideal for gardens, flower pots, and
car and window washing.
Multiple rain barrel installations can save most homeowners over 1,000 gallons
of water during the peak summer months. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, it saves you money and energy
(decreased demand for treated tap water). Diverting water from storm drains also decreases the impact of runoff to streams
and the Chesapeake Bay. Therefore, a rain barrel is an easy way for you to "Save the Bay" and have a consistent
supply of clean, fresh water for outdoor use, FREE. Depending on your county, most homes ROI is less than 5 years. In some
local counties, like Fauquier, your return on investment can be as early as 1 year.
Contact KCSI for a
free estimate to install 1 or more rain barrels for your home.
