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Rain Barrels |
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Marion County conserves thousands of gallons of water each year thanks to rain barrels and the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program! Rain barrels save and store nutrient-rich rain water, are environmentally friendly, and easy to install. A rain barrel is a water-tight container set-up to collect water for later use. The barrels can be connected to a down spout or gutter or simply placed in an open area for rain-water collection. Depending on the size, barrels can collect 50 gallons or more. Multiple barrels can also be connected together to store even more water. Using rain water is healthier for plants due to small amounts of nitrogen and a lower pH level than utility-provided water, as well as a lack of chlorine. By using rain water, you can reduce the amount of potable (clean, drinkable)
water being withdrawn from the Floridan
aquifer system, which is our primary source of water. Steps for installing a rain barrel can be found in the Rain Barrels: A homeowner's guide. Printed books are available for free at the Marion County Extension Service. FOR SALE: Pre-drilled rain barrels are available at the Marion County Extension Service. Sizes and shapes vary depending on availability. The cost is $55.00 and includes hardware (spigot and over-flow) and the Rain Barrel guide. Rain barrel classes are taught throughtout the year (Check calendar of events for dates and times.). Classes cover water savings, installation techniques and problem solving. Individual sessions can be scheduled by calling the Marion County Extension Service. |
