Water, without it, plants do not grow; without it people will only last two or three days. Why then do we waste it so?After every rainfall, you can see the rain running down the asphalt driveways, roads and the concrete sidewalks. It has not opportunity to do what it is meant to do; return to the earth.
Perhaps, we waste water so casually because for still too many of us, it is readily available, not expensive but only a tap turn away.
Where water is scarce, it is often rationed and there are laws and bylaws to protect it. These ought not to be necessary given it value but it seems without them some people will water their lawn or worse wash a driveway, even in a dry spell.
There are simple techniques that enable the homeowner to save water for that dry day. One is do not wash your driveway or try and grow plants that demand daily or regular watering if you live in an area that gets little rain; unless you have set up a water harvesting system.
The rain barrel is a basic way to save rain water. You may not want to drink it but it will make the garden grow.
Whenever it rains, I watch the streams of water roll down the street and into the sewers; water that could be used to look after fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and more. Sure the rain was giving them a drink now but what about two days from now?
Rain barrels are simple enough to make or you can buy one. They cost a few bucks but they are a sound investment in a valuable resource, one that may be becoming scarcer than we know.
If you must grow tomatoes or other high water demand plants, in addition to a rain barrel, give some thought to a soaker hose. This way the water goes to the roots where it is needed and the plants will thrive. Only water if there has been no rain and the rain barrel is empty.
Soaker hoses and rain barrels are the beginning of an effective water conservation system; one that takes advantage of the precious resource that falls freely from the sky but one that we cannot live long without.
If you are fund raising for a school or a not-for-profit organization, rain barrels could make a great fundraising project. Make some money for a good cause and help conserve our dwindling water supply, all at the same time.
The rain barrel is the entry level rain water harvesting system. There are larger systems that will collect and hold much more than water for the cabbages.
