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Rain barrels make a ‘green’ comeback

October 12th, 2009, 7:59 pm · 7 Comments · posted by

rainxchangerainbarrel

Rain barrel design used by RainXchange

My mother used to sing an old song, always off key, about “hollering down rain barrels” and “sliding down on cellar doors.”

Today, rain barrels have all but disappeared from America — a situation local companies and green enthusiasts are pushing to change.

These advocates say modern rain barrels and larger commercial systems will allow homeowners and businesses to harvest thousands of gallons of rooftop runoff before it reaches the ground — even in relatively dry communities like Orange County.

According to Aquascape Inc., which sells RainXchange barrels and larger pond-style systems, just one inch of rainfall on a 2,000 square-foot roof can generate 1,250 gallons of water.

And Orange County’s Santa Ana measurements indicate an average rainfall of 13.36 inches, ranging from about 5 to 17 inches since 2000.

That’s nearly half the water needed in a week to irrigate an average 10,000-square-foot lot.

The home systems can be fairly simple — roof gutters to drainpipes, drainpipes to one or more 75-gallon barrels, a hose attachment from the barrels to your garden.

Such barrels fill with just an eighth of an inch of rain.

Prices can be as low as $150, according to Kasey Keller, of the Santa Ana office of Ewing, an irrigation products company.

Keller’s company is coordinating installation of a commercial rainwater harvesting system at the Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach. A briefing for local cities and landscape architects takes place tonight, with installation of the model project all day Tuesday.

Ewing irrigation representative Kasey Keller and Shipley Nature Center volunteer Juana Mueller study the pit where a rainwater harvesting pond will be planted.

Ewing irrigation representative Kasey Keller and Shipley Nature Center volunteer Juana Mueller study the pit where a rainwater harvesting pond will be planted.

The 4,300-gallon project will drain water from half of the Shipley Center’s roof, run it through pipes into a landscaped brook and pond that wildlife can drink from.

It is the first such rainwater harvesting system Ewing has installed in Orange County.

And yes, there are plenty of variations between the rain barrel system and the massive commercial installation. Keller says some folks even figure out ways to use existing swimming pools as storage devices.

And the movement emphasizes modern, appealing designs over simple functionality.

Want more information? Don’t pop by Shipley to watch — that event is by invitation and designed for the folks who might install commercial systems. But after Tuesday you can see it in action, and you can get the latest on installing your own system from Keller at Ewing — (714) 673-8972.

(Photo of RainXchange rain barrel from Aquascape Inc.’s Web site).

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 7 Comments

  • Randy says:
    October 12, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    Hello
    Great idea, we have built many homes with our system that uses the water twice. When washing hands or showering, that water goes to a holding tank after running through simple filter for use in watering plants, lawn, and washing vehicles and spraying off driveways. And the toilet and garbage disposal drain to the sewer.

  • f4tweet says:
    October 13, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Great idea. Why don’t the cities have reservoirs? Why does the state let all the water run down the LA & Santa Ana river? One word, money, then they would have to reduce charges and their own company . Simple.

  • WayneH says:
    October 13, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    Just remember that standing water in “rainbarrels” or such invites mosquitos, carriers of West Nile , etc…

  • stevo says:
    October 14, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    The Shipley Nature Center stream is constantly moving so no chance of mosquitoes. If the system is shut down the water eventually drains to the holding tank. Any rainbarrels are covered with lids that keep bugs out.
    We invite everyone to visit Shipley Nature Center and see our new rain harvesting system. Shipley’s open Mon. through Sat. 9 am to 1 pm.
    Go to http://www.shipleynature.org for more info.

  • rik2u says:
    October 17, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    We’ve had multiple rain barrels around our home, here in Florida, for over 20 years. We don’t have a problem with mosquitoes for several reasons, We keep our rain gutters clean all year long so stagnant water does remain for mosquitoes to breed in. And, we make sure there is no standing water around our home in flower pots, wagons, trays, etc. And, as far as the mosquitoes breeding in our rain barrels, that was an easy fix. Just cover every open hole in the rain barrel with window screening. We have a large piece over the top of the barrel that is held on with a bungy cord, that is easy to remove when its time to take water out. Or, if you like you can have a drain at the bottom that can fasten to a water hose or open & shut like a water faucet does, to keep even more mosquitoes from ever getting into your water.
    I’ve enjoy my many rain barrels these past 20 years and have saved tons of money on water bills and conserved gallons and gallons of potable water, while using God’s blessed free water. That is until the government decides to tax that as well.
    I keep our rain gutters clean all year long very easily, with my new tool called a Gutter Clutter Buster, which I got on-line. Its easy, fast, clean, and saves me even more money. It attaches to my 2-1/2″ wet/dry vac hose and vacuums out all debris, which I empty out of my canister into my compost pile or put around my plants for extra much, saving even the need for additional water for my landscaping.
    Happy Rainwater Harvesting To You All. “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled!”

  • Ib Andersen says:
    November 29, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Rain barrel’s work ; and http://www.envirosink.com
    Fill’s it in the dry season

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