Deluxe English Rain Barrel

Description

Rainwater Collection - Background Info

Residential irrigation can account for 40% of domestic water consumption in a given municipality. Rain barrels not only store water, they help decrease demand during the sweltering summer months. Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free 'soft water' containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. Because it tends to have fewer sediments and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including biodynamic and organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropicals like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows. Saving water in this manner will reduce you demand for treated tap water, and save money by lowering your monthly bill. Rain water diversion will also help decrease the burden on water treatment facilities and municipal drainage systems during storms. The storage of rain water is also recommended for general emergency preparedness, or for areas prone to disasters or drought. A good formula to remember: 1 inch of rain on a 1000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water. Calculate the yield of your roof by multiplying the square footage of your roof by 623 and divide by 1000.

Water Quality, Mosquitoes & Debris

While the water from your rooftop is relatively clean, we do not recommend it for human consumption purposes, unless faced with an emergency situation. Should that occur, it is useful to keep a water filtration system on hand for purification. Because vector carrying mosquitoes are present in every state in the union, precautions should be undertaken to minimize infestation. Top side mesh screens or plastic lids will act as a barrier to insects, but eggs may still drop through. Non-toxic water treatment might be the best proactive approach to pest management (use of MOSQUITO DONUTS is an example of an ecologcial solution to mosquito control). For enclosed units that are not open to the air, and instead have water entering through a pipe or tube, mosquito eggs can still enter by traveling with rainwater from the gutters. Again, mosquito dunks can provide a earth friendly solution to mitigate breeding. Keep in mind that with this type of set up, roof top debris can enter a rain barrel. It is advisable to create or install some type of gutter guard that keeps leaves and pine needles out of the downspout.

Features and Benefits

• Enormous 76 gallon capacity provides water well into the dry months
• Includes a 4 foot hose with a thumb-operated on/off value - the hose stores neatly in a notch at the top of the unit
• Overflow outlet with hose diverts excess water away from your house and foundation during the rainy season
• Safety grid at the top prevents pets and children and from entering
• Removable debris screen keeps out insect carcasses and falling plant materials
• NEW FLAT BACK DESIGN ADDS STABILITY
• Includes linking tube for serial connectivity
• Attractive Old-World design complements any gardenscape - color: GREEN

Specifications

Recommended Accessories

Metal Rain Diverter

Mosquito Donuts

GWS Diverter Kit