April showers bring May flowers but if you have the right equipment, April showers can also help lower your water bill, protect our lakes, and conserve water.
Rain barrels capture storm water from a roof and hold on it for later use. By collecting roof runoff, rain barrels stop excess water flowing from your home into area lakes, streams, and rivers. This is important because runoff water can pick up pollutants like bacteria and chemicals from roof materials.
The water collected from rain barrels is non-potable — AKA don’t drink or bathe in it! It’s also not a good idea to use roof runoff water for swimming pools, fish ponds, or birdbaths. But even though you shouldn’t ingest it, water collected in rain barrels can have plenty of uses that can end up saving your household money on your water bill.
Rain barrel water is a great option for watering your home’s plants, garden, and lawn. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a rain barrel saves the average homeowner up to 1,300 gallons of water each year, and every gallon of rainwater collected is one you don’t have to pay for.
A typical rain barrel can cost a couple hundred dollars, but if you're crafty, there’s always the DIY option.
Thankfully for Madisonians, the Dane County and the Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership sell 50-gallon rain barrels at the discounted rate of $74. The program is open to all Dane County residents and businesses and you may even be eligible for further discounts via rebates.
