How does your Rain Barrel Help the Chesapeake Bay and Water Conservation?

What is a rain Barrel?

A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from your rooftop via the down spout, to use for later for things like watering the lawn or garden. Water collected from the rain barrel would normally flow through your down spout, onto a paved surface, and eventually into a storm drain.

Rain Barrels reduce water pollution by reducing stormwater runoff, which contains pollutants like sediment,oil, grease, bacteria, and nutrients.

Why use a rain barrel?

Rain Barrels help lower drinkable water consumption saving approximately 1,300 gallons of water during peak spring, summer and fall months. Using stored rainwater on your garden or lawn instead of directing roof top runoff to the storm drain network helps recharge groundwater naturally. The natural process of mother earth can has a chance to clean the water as it enters the groundwater system.