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The barrels, made from recycled olive barrels, are being provided by the Hudson Valley Rain Barrel Company. Orders will be taken in person May 2 in front of the Katonah Village Library, and information regarding pick up will be available at that time. Anyone who is interested in purchasing a rain barrel but is unable to attend May 2 may contact the Katonah Village Improvement Society here to place an order.
Across the country, communities have been operating programs like this one. The benefits of using rain barrels at home or the office include:
- Saving money. Some households devote almost 40 percent of their summer water consumption to irrigation needs. Using stored rainwater to water a lawn or garden can reduce household water usage, which will lead to lower bills.
- Improving water quality. By diverting storm water from the sewer system during rainy days, a rain barrel decreases storm water runoff, which carries pollutants from paved surfaces into groundwater.
- Keeping plants healthy. Plants prefer non-chlorinated organic rainwater — it is one of the best ways to keep a garden or lawn healthy all summer long.
- Free car washes. Use stored rainwater to keep your car clean at no cost.
- Eco-friendly and sustainable. Capturing and using rainwater is an easy step toward sustainability. It lowers the carbon foot print we leave behind and teaches conservation.
It is estimated that for every 1,000 square feet of roofline, 1 inch of rain equates to 632 or more gallons of water. The procedure is incredibly simple. A rain barrel captures and stores runoff from the roof through an easily installed attachment to the downspout. As soon as the barrel is full, excess rainwater drains normally. A rain barrel can collect up to 60 gallons of rainwater at a time. Each barrel weighs 20 pounds empty and can weigh up to 500 pounds when full.
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