EMM 7: Using a Rain Barrel

One of my least favorite things about living in the Pacific Northwest wall all that darn rain. Rain, rain, go away! But now, I’ve realized how I can make that rain water work for me! Did you know using rain water on your lawn and garden is actually better for your plants? Rain water contains more minerals and less chemicals than tap water, plus it’s FREE. Save money, save energy, and help your plants thrive! That’s what I’m chatting about today in this Enlighten Me Mini episode. To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com There are so many benefits to rain water collection like I mentioned above, but something else to consider is how you can protect your home and your local ecosystem through this process. By collecting and harvesting rain water, you can prevent flooding in your own household as well as in your community and prevent runoff into local waterways. Okay, so obviously there are lots of benefits to using rain water, but what’s the downside? Well, you’ll have to invest in a rain barrel! Before you say no, buying a rain barrel is probably more affordable than you think. Depending on the size that you get and the features that you’re looking for, the average rain barrel costs between $50 and $150. Not too bad, right? The next step is picking out the right barrel that works for you. I go into more detail on this in today’s show, but some of the things you’ll need to consider are size, aesthetics, required assembly, number of spigots, overflow option, presence of a debris screen, flow rate, and type of lid. I know, I know, lots of things to consider! Once you make these decisions, though, you just have to install and PRESTO! You’re ready to start collecting all the rain water! I go into details on installation in this episode, also, but you can check out the links listed below for a more thorough explanation. Now, start saving some water (and some money) and put your gutters to work! Links from the show: EPA: https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/soak-rain-rain-barrels Cleanliness of rain water: http://sightline.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/rain-garden-trifold.pdf Environmental impact of collecting rain water: https://www.reducerunoff.org/rain-barrels Lowe's: https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/buying-installing-and-using-a-rain-barrel Mackenzie’s Rain Barrel: https://goodideasinc.com/products/impressions-90-gallon-bark-rain-saver?variant=12306125783087