Recently, I had the opportunity to observe a simple, cost effective method for conserving water- the use of a rain barrel. For less than $100.00 the residential homeowner was able to hook up a rain barrel to the gutter drain pipe. The all-plastic rain barrel with an overflow valve for heavy rains can accumulate 60+ gallons of water. At the bottom of the barrel is a garden hose and an attachable spigot for gravity fed watering of flowers, shrubs, and grass. Installation of the system should take no more than five minutes once you buy the barrel.

Barrels are available from many commercial sources. A search on the internet for “rain barrels” identified a number of vendors in the Maryland area where we live. The search also yielded a secondary benefit. I found out that Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, a regional government agency, not only offers rain barrels for sale but provides a training course on effective utilization. And, most important of all, for residents of Maryland there is a $50.00 incentive which reduces the net cost for purchasing a barrel to under $45.00. Virginia and Washington DC also offer incentives. Here is the web site for those of you living in the area: http://www.potomacriver.org/cms/

Harold A. Manger

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