A rain barrel collects and stores rain water from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff, and then diverted through storm drains to your local streams, and ultimately polluting the Chesapeake Bay.

Relatively simple and inexpensive to construct, a rain barrel sits conveniently under any residential gutter down spout and can be decorated to complement any home.

What are the advantages of a rain barrel?
Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer. A rain barrel collects water and stores it to water plants, wash your car, or to top a swimming pool. It provides an ample supply of free ‘soft water’ to homeowners, containing no chlorine, lime or calcium – making it ideal for gardens, flower pots, and car and window washing. A rain barrel will save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.

How can I purchase a ready made rain barrel?
Ready-made rain barrels can be purchased from numerous companies.

Below are just a few:

• Arlington Echo: http://www.arlingtonecho.net/Newsflash/Arlington-Echo-Rain-Barrel-Update.html

• South River Federation: (410) 990-0628 www.southriverfederation.org

• Spruce Creek Company: Produces the Spruce Creek Rainsaver. 1-800-940-0187 www.sprucecreekrainsaver.com

• D&P Industries Incorporated: Produces the Urban Rain Barrel. (503) 286-9866 www.therainbarrel.com/index.html

-Sean McGuire, Planner
Watershed Services, MD DNR