Rain Barrels

What is a rain barrel?

Rain barrels are basically rain collectors that are placed at the base of your down spouts around your home. If you have ever noticed how much rain water pours out of these spouts during a severe rain storm, you can see the potential this product boasts. It only takes a small amount of rain, usually 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch, on an average sized roof to fill up a rain barrel. A faucet allows you to easily access the water from your barrel.    Need more water? Hook up a second or third rain barrel.   Then when it’s dry, you can water your plants and garden with your recycled rain water.

Watering restrictions have become common in many areas of Ontario during the summer months.  Unfortunately, there is just not enough water to handle the ever-increasing demand for this precious resource. But you don’t have to let your garden or favorite plants dry up. With recycled rain water, you can water your plants when needed.

What are the Benefits?

• Rain barrels drastically reduce runoff with low costs and minimal maintenance.
• Many of the down spouts found around homes direct water into a pool which then seeps into the ground and can potentially cause major problems with leaky basements and water damaged foundations.
• If you collect the water during a rainfall, you can release it later, but at a slower rate.
• Rain barrels are simple to install, suitable for virtually any household property size or location
  Stores relatively clean (and unchlorinated) water for use on lawns and gardens.
• Recycled rain water will help you to have the best plants possible - from roses to home-grown tomatoes
  You will have an additional faucet to water with, maybe in an area that you may not have had one before, which can be a big convenience.
• Use the rainwater to wash your car – soft rain water doesn’t leave spots when you rinse!
• Can reduce domestic water use, lowering water bills and demands on city water system, especially during peak summer periods.
• It’s free water!  Which equals lower water bills.

A few Tips to get the most out of your rain barrel:

Install the rain barrel on a strong, level surface as it can weigh up to 1200 lbs when full -- a patio or paving stone is ideal. If the barrel is slightly elevated, a hose can use gravity to feed water to a garden or lawn.

Drain your rain barrel before the winter, as this will avoid water freezing  and cracking the barrel.

Rain water collected in your barrel is ideal for watering your garden, but not recommended as drinking water.

   Thank you to all who supported our fundraising event this year!