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Rain Barrel Water Collection Tanks
A Rainwater Tank is a Great
Way to Collect and Store Water Runoff from Roofs
By Mark
J. Donovan
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Your home’s roof sheds an incredible
amount of water during a rain storm. For example, 2,000 square feet of roof
surface can shed nearly 1,200 gallons of water with just an inch of rainfall. If
you live in a dry climate the rainwater collected from a roof can be as precious
as gold. Consequently in many parts of the world rain barrels, a.k.a. rainwater
tanks, or cisterns are commonly used to collect roof run off. Rain barrel water
collection tanks are commonly used for providing supplemental water for
gardening, flushing toilets and for cleaning vehicles.
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However, with proper filtration they
can also be used for supplemental potable water. Cisterns are large tanks that
are located either under the home or near the home and can hold thousands of
gallons of water collected from a home’s roof.
Rain barrel water collection tanks also help to prevent erosion around the
home’s perimeter. Roof runoff can quickly cut deep ruts in the soil and damage
landscaping underneath the roof eaves if gutters are not installed. In addition,
rain barrels can prevent basement flooding by preventing roof runoff from
penetrating down the home’s foundation walls and into the basement. Rain barrels
also prevent water runoff from over taxing public drain and sewer systems.
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Rain barrels which are available in
a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, are often placed underneath roof eaves
and centered under gutter down spouts. This enables the roof runoff to be easily
collected and stored without requiring a lot of excavation and piping. Rain
barrel costs can vary widely depending upon their size and the material they are
constructed out of. This said, rainwater tanks, or rain barrels, are a onetime
investment and are fairly inexpensive when their cost is compared to the cost of
buying additional water from your home on a recurring basis.
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Also, you don’t need to necessarily
go out and buy the latest rainwater tank technology to serve as a rain barrel
water collection tank. For example, old wine or whiskey aging barrels are
perfect for functioning as a rain barrel, not to mention they provide some
unique personal charm. The most common size rain barrels have a storage capacity
of 50 to 60 gallons.
One word of caution, however, when deciding upon setting up a rain barrel on
your property. They can be mosquito breeding grounds. Consequently it is wise to
have them tightly covered. Often rain barrels have covers that fit tightly over
them with only a small opening for the downspout to slip into.
To distribute the water in a rain barrel a small pump can be installed in it so
that water can be pumped from it to your garden, or wherever you need water
around the home, via a garden hose.
Rain Barrels from
Amazon.com
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