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The Rain Barrel: Some Things Old, Become New Again
by
Gene K
(IC: professional)
As Americans are becoming more conscious of water use, along with the spread of droughts across the United States, rain barrels are becoming an essential part of the residential landscape. But where do rain barrels come from?
Collecting and storing rainwater to use for later use has been in practice for over 2,000 years. History shows that ancient civilizations used forms of open cisterns carved in the ground to save water for a later time.
Collecting and storing rainwater to use for later use has been in practice for over 2,000 years. History shows that ancient civilizations used forms of open cisterns carved in the ground to save water for a later time.
The use of rain barrels in this country was actually a bi-product of shipping dry goods in wooden barrels across the United States in the 1800’s. When goods were unpacked and barrels could no longer be used, the barrels were placed under roof eves to capture the rain.
After World War II, the use of wooden barrels began to cease with the manufacturing of plastic. With the expansion of public water utilities, the use of wells, buckets, and rain barrels declined due to more efficient ways to provide homes with water.
Americans have enjoyed an abundance of water that is not only inexpensive, but consistently the highest in quality worldwide. Since 2000, Americans have begun to realize that water is a finite source. Droughts and water shortages across our country made people understand that rainwater harvesting; a practice that was used in Europe and a no brainer in Australia could be used in this country as well. The practice began taking off in California, Texas, and North Carolina during this time. Here in Atlanta people began to change their water usage practices with the drought in 2007 and started looking at rainwater harvesting and rain barrels.
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Published July 30th, 2014 3:05 PM
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Robin Miller Cresci on Jan 18, 2015Some municipalities are making it illegal to collect rain water from your own property. Crazy. I love your product!
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