The Effect of Using a Rain Barrel on the Environment
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by: georgewonderman
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Word Count: 449
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 Time: 3:21 PM
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Every household with a budget to follow (and some concern for the environment) cares about preserving water. But many of those very same people do not even know about the existence of a rain barrel. A bulky, specially designed container, a rain barrel simply collects rainwater. They do this collection at the drain downspout of your homes drainage system. When it rains, the rain that falls on your roof will go into the gutters, through its drain, and out its downspout. This allows you to collect large amounts of rain water as it falls.
Benefits for the Environment
Reduced toxins in rivers. While rain is necessary for life, it can be bad for the environment. When it rains, the water that falls travels through our cities and streets before ending up on streams and creeks. As it flows, it collects chemicals, toxins, and other wastes. Routing some rainwater away from natural drainage reduces some of the tainted water that fouls up our rivers.
Improved water efficiency. The greatest benefit you will see from utilizing a rain barrel is, of course, water usage. In the summer time, up to 40% of a households water usage goes to watering their garden and lawn. As a result of water shortages, many communities are experiencing water supply problems, forcing water rationing. By catching rainwater, however, you can relive some of the burden on your citys water supply, as well as keep your garden and yard healthy and watered year round.
Energy efficiency. We hear more and more about how important it is to reduce our energy usage to protect the environment. However, many people do not think of using power when they use the citys water. The water that comes from our homes pipes is water that is cleaned and pumped through long pipes to our homes. There are countless processes in water processing that use up energy and, unfortunately, harm the environment.
You can reduce your water usage by thousands of gallons and have plenty of water handy for plants and odd jobs simply by using a rain barrel. The only job rainwater can not fill is satisfying your thirst. Otherwise, rain barrel water is great for washing your car, watering your garden... and doing your part to protect the environment.
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Similar articles on rain barrels, goto buildingarainbarrel.incomestores.net/?Rain-water-harvesting-through-rain-barrels&g=1094.
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