Part of my home improvement efforts have been to make our house more resource efficient, not just a bit bigger and nicer. As part of that, I added a 60 gallon rain barrel to use for watering plants in our yard. As you know, the rain patterns in California mean that wouldn't get filled from roughly May until November, so 60 gallons won't last the whole dry season.
Eventually I'd like to have a larger tank to collect rain water and gray water from the washing machine, but that's a long ways down the line. So I was delighted when I heard that the city of Oakland was going to be selling rain barrels to residents for only $45. Saturday I header over to Kaiser Elementary in Hiller Highlands to get some. I don't know if they're planning on selling more in the future, but if so, it's a great deal. The barrels hold 65 gallons, are made from recycled plastic, and come with all the necessary fittings for a faucet and the overflow.
Out of Town: San Luis Obispo, California
1 day ago
4 comments:
Consider the amount of clean rainwater that can be harvested when your rain gutters are kept squeaky clean. They can be done easily, faster, and cleaner without a ladder when you use the Gutter Clutter Buster. It attaches to most wet/dry vacuum hoses that are 2.5" in diameter. As soon as I attach the tool I start vacuuming out my gutters. Wet or dry, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that I don't ever have to use a ladder again and my rainwater flows continuously, all during the rainy season, providing cleaning, fresher water for my barrel.
Good to her about this going on in Oakland. The recycling program leaves something to be desired - I have heard that not separating glass results in a kind of gray glass slurry which noone wants to purchase.
@ArtSparker: alas, while these rain barrels are made from recycled plastic, they were made in North Carolina, not locally.
great program. hadn't heard about that yet.
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