A rain barrel connects with your home’s downspout, collecting water when it rains. This water can be stored for later use to water your garden.
By: Tim Studebaker
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PROVIDENCE (WLNE), Spring brings more sunshine, green grass, thriving plants, and a higher need for water. Many southern New Englanders are aware that outdoor water bans can appear year after year during prolonged periods of dry weather. A rain barrel, which is a container that collects rain water and stores it in, might be the right solution for some homeowners.
Jacob Gorke serves as the Greenway Manager at the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council. Gorke says, “A good estimate for most people would probably be around 30 gallons of water, and that can last you an entire week.”
A rain barrel attaches to your home’s downspout and collects water that runs off your roof when it rains. While the water collected is suitable for watering your lawn or flower garden, Gorke cautions against watering vegetable gardens unless you have the right type of roof and you’re sure the water is clean enough.
Gorke says, “If you have any doubt about whether or not the water you’re getting off your roof is good for vegetables, we would definitely recommend getting it tested.”
There’s also an environmental benefit. The environmental benefit of rainwater collection and storage is that it reduces storm water runoff infrastructure.
Gorke says, “If you can capture that first inch of storm water off your roof, that takes off the load of a lot of the storm water infrastructure that’s out there already.”
The council is holding a rain barrel workshop this weekend at Riverside Park in Providence where you’ll have an opportunity to make your own rain barrel with guidance from experts.
Visit their website to learn more https://wrwc.org/wp/events/rain-barrel-workshop-2/
WLNE-TV / ABC62022
