Groundwater Run-off
The installation of a rain barrel reduces the amount of storm run-off water that enters the water table, and minimizes the amount of raw sewage that gets dumped into rivers and lakes.
The Water Table
The water cycle - natural filtration
Under normal circumstances, the majority of rainfall soaks into vegetation and slowly flows underground. It is then naturally filtered before rejoining moving bodies of water for us to use again. This natural filtration helps remove debris and pollutants from the water. The natural process of water soaking into the earth is destroyed when land is covered with buildings, roads and parking lots. Groundwater run-off from downspouts enters sewers and carries sediments and pollutants that, without natural filtration, can clog streams, reduce oxygen in waterways and poison aquatic ecosystems.
To further compound the problem, many sewage systems combine household sewage with storm water. Older sewage systems cannot handle large volumes of water. This poses a large problem after a heavy rainfall, when sewage can get dumped, untreated, into rivers and lakes.
How can we eliminate harmful storm water run-off?
One way is to invest in a rain barrel. Collecting rainwater during a storm reduces the load on the sewer system. Watering a lawn with stored rainwater allows it to go through nature’s filtration system, before being added back to the water table.
The use of a rain barrel will also help you to reduce your water bill. The rain barrel acts as a self-sustaining source of water for your lawn and garden. One way to approximate water collection from a single rainfall is to multiply the square footage of your roof by 0.6 times the inches of rain.
For those who have breath-taking gardens, rain barrels can also help to accentuate your backyard décor. The Cascata rain barrel is very elegantly designed with smooth clay-like contours and an elegant planter on top. While designed to look like terracotta, the Cascata is made of a thick, durable, lightweight plastic. It includes standard features such as a corrosion-proof screen guard (to keep mosquitoes out) and an overflow valve to allow for multiple unit hookups.
The Cascata rain barrel is made in Cambridge, Ontario and is designed to withstand a Canadian winter. It includes a lifetime warranty on its enclosure.
