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DanaB1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 319
Posted:
Hi,

I know I've read posts here about the use of water barrels and now that an article has been posted in our local paper about them I wanted to review the posts here but I have been unable to pull any old posts up using search and the words "water" or "barrel" or both?

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Dana
DanaB1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 319
Posted:
Never mind, for some reason that only the "computer gods" know I am able to now pull up old posts using the search.

Dana
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Dana,

Whatcha want to know about rain barrels? Master Gardener here! We're doing bi-monthly workshops on building your own.
DanaB1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 319
Posted:
Hi H2O Ambassador,

Our little town paper just had an article about them and I've got $5 that one of our owners will run out and buy one; so I figure as Grand Poohbah here at the association I better get my keester in gear as to the use of them.

How about you send me an email so that I have your address (if your willing) because I'm sure I'll have a few questions and I'd rather not post them all here. Put Rain barrel in the subject line. My special address is [email protected]

Thanks,

Dana
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Dana,

You can google "rain barrels" and get loads of info!
DorothyO (Washington)
Posts: 293
Posted:
Dana,
Google "Rain Barrel vs. water rights,Boulder, Colorado." Believe it or not, the mighty city of Boulder, I think it was Boulder, determined that the fellow collecting rain water in his water barrel was in fact stealing water that would have gone into the ground, providing the water for the guy down the way who has water rights, (Mr. Rain Barrel did not have water rights), and was therefore, ordered to cease and desist immediately this theft of water. Water rights are like cattle rustling and horse stealing out here in the dry core of the American West.

Dorothy
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Dorothy,

There are several States that have passed laws about storm water going into the municipal systems. North Carolina, Tennessee soon will and Florida for a few. The city water districts will start imposing an extra tax on homes and businesses that do not control their strom water runoff. Measuring how much hard surface, such as driveways, parking lots and roofing will determine how much water goes into the public systems. Those who have little to no runoff will not be taxed the extra fee.

Rain barrels collecting roof water and rain gardens which trap runoff help. Also by rerouting downspouts onto lawns and flower beds is another way of avoiding excessive runoff. So the moral of the story is that it will be different in all areas. Dana is in Conn which is not considered the desert. Colorado is known for their ahead of time research in conservation of our natural resources. I take very little credability in someone making a court case out of 55 gallons of rainwater that fell on someones lot and someone else claiming that it is his.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Dorothy,

I just HAD to call up that article and once I got into it, I must thank you for an evening of fun entertainment. Isn't Colorado the place that gets miles of snow which melts into water. And they want to build more water treatment plants for the rain water. Go figure. This is a small snip from the article.

"“The rain barrel is the bong of the Colorado garden. It’s legal to sell one. It’s legal to own one. It’s just not legal to use it for its intended purpose. Meanwhile, when rain does fall, the torrential flood caused by water running off a few thousand acres of roofs, roads and parking lots erodes downstream ranches, undercuts city sewer pipes and really makes Pueblo mad.

It’s gotten so bad that the city is taxing us all — excuse me, feeing us all — to pay for $295 million in stormwater projects. So wouldn’t it make sense to save a little rain when it falls, keep it from barreling down Fountain Creek, and use it when needed? Of course it would.”

So, to the people of Colorado, I’m sorry you have to deal with such inane laws. Not having any rights in the first place to something that freely falls over your head just seems bizarre."

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