Rainy Day Savings (from Vegetarian Times)

Recycle Mother Nature’s April showers with the aid of a rain barrel, and you’ll not only grow your May flowers - you can also water your lawn, vegetable garden, or houseplants, even wash the car with the raindrops you harvest. And you’ll be helping out Mother Nature too.

As it rolls down your driveway or yard, rainwater collects bacteria from pollutants like asphalt, animal waste, and pesticides. Those pollutants can be carried into the storm water system, which may empty into lakes or rivers. But if you catch all that “free” water before it’s polluted, you benefit the Earth as well as your wallet.

Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting

• Brings first-rate water right to your garden. No chlorine, no calcium carbonate.
• Diverts water away from your house that might otherwise leak into the foundation and potentially case flooding.
• Keeps water right where it’s getting used, rather than sending it away to unnecessary treatment.