2012 Update-Sept 25: I haven't used any of my rainwater since July 26. Both are full currently. My back has been in bad shape and I can't haul as much water as I'd like.
2011 Rainwater Consumption: 1,050 gallons
The long-anticipated rain barrels made their debut in my garden on May 30, 2011. Honestly, they were easier than I thought they'd be to create, the neighbors actually LIKED them and even more importantly: THEY WORKED!
Between May 30-Oct 12 I estimated I used about 1,050 gallons on harvested water on my gardens, plants, and squirt guns. The kids used a whole bunch more for water fights, but I didn't include that. (please, don't go all crazy b/c my kids play with "dirty" rain water...they are just fine.) I also did no accounting for evaporation or spillage due to my carelessness because, quite frankly, I don't care!
Check it out:
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| Rain barrel #1, May 2011. |
2012 Photos:
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| I'm a rain barrel addict! THREE rain barrels, April 2012. |
Wanna make your own? Check out my DIY post!!!
Water catchment is actually pretty amazing. 1000SF of roof will produce 600 gallons of water for each 1" of rain. From this you can net enough in a desert for a years needs if you had the ability of storing it. That is only bottle neck because most people would only have a few 50 gallon barrels around which doesn't average out the wet season.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we added a 3rd rain barrel, so with 3 55 gal barrels, we should be able to squeak through a dry July/August. Can't believe we waited until last year to install them!
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