For some reason that old song that goes "Look down my rain barrel, slide down my cellar door" is stuck in my mind today. Actually, the idea from "back in the day" of rain barrels would be a wonderful green idea for today. We are moving toward more solar power and wind power and should be thinking of water conservation as well.
Getting a rain barrel or two for your yard is a simple and time honored way to collect and reuse rainwater. The barrel can be placed under a downspout and it will fill up quickly. A screen can be installed on top of the barrel to keep out mosquitoes, bugs, leaves, and other debris. Barrels made especially for this purpose come with an overflow and a spigot to attach to a hose. This system is great for saving on your water bill and yet having enough water to keep your lawn and garden green and vital. Water is our most precious natural resource.
There are about 10,000 rainwater-harvesting systems in Texas, including about 1,000 that serve as the sole water source for a home. Few people living in a city or suburbs would be interested in whole-house rain harvesting systems but for a rural area, they make a lot of sense.
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Interesting Blog.....I saw this subject on 60 minutes a year or so ago on how a family lived soley off of rain water...
Greg, everything old is new again. Isn't that a song? :-)
Shirley - We capture water (that is if we ever have rain again). Our tank has gone dry but harvesting water is great for watering plants and gardens. That size barrel you showed is great for city living.
Carl, What kind of tank do you use? We had a long dry spell but then got a good shower almost every day for about two weeks and that has now stopped. The weatherman thinks we may be in the path of more rain soon... that is good.
Shirley - We haven't had any rain in our area; only a few drops. Fortunately for some around us they were more fortunate. We have a large earth tank on an acre that catches run-off, since we haven't had rain there has not been run off. We really do need to add some additional clay soil to help seal the tank.
I looked up the lyrics for you, Shirley, because I remember that song, too. Not that I had a rain barrel nor cellar door growing up. Although, a rain barrel is a good idea today!!! Thanks for that idea.
Playmate come out and play with me
And bring your dollies three,
Climb up my apple tree,
Look down my rain barrel,
Slide down my cellar door,
and we'll be jolly friends forever more
She couldn't come out and play,
It was a sunny day
With tearful eye, she breathed a sigh
And I could hear her say,
I'm sorry, playmate,
I cannot play with you
My dollies have the flu,
Boo-hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
Ain't got no rain barrel,
Ain't got no cellar door
But we'll be jolly friends, forever more
Song "Playmates" by Kay Kyser
Elizabeth, thanks for the lyrics... Growing up in Texas we didn't have a cellar door but we did have a rain barrel.