Donna
Very Valuable Member
  
Age : 46
Joined : 12 Oct 2006
Posts : 1237
|  Subject: Water Barrels  Thu 31 Jan 2008, 8:27 pm | |
| | Does anyone have water barrels outside their homes?I have been thinking about them for my home,,good way to harvest rain water for plants gardens etc.Here,we have a carport that was added to the side of the garage,,but the drain spout comes down the garage side and the water runs out in the driveway,,,so when it gets suddenly cold (like now) the water freezes in the driveway making it slippery when you go get in the truck.My solution was a rain barrel ,,so the water can collect in it.Hubby said he thinks they will get stagnet and attract mosquitos and bugs.I thought maybe some kind of bleach or chemical in it,,but then again that might hurt the plants Id like to use it on.Any suggestions? |
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gayla50
Moderator
 
Age : 52
Joined : 12 Oct 2006
Posts : 3229
Localisation : Western North Carolina
| | Subject: Re: Water Barrels Thu 31 Jan 2008, 9:37 pm | |
| we have rain barrels in several spots on our land ... we use them for water in garden ect .. we use the water long before it get we have a bug problem we water horses and cows .. I have one out by my flowers garden it drains into the bed.
I a small water barrel out by my herb bed .. it was such a blessing this past summer .
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Gayla
"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."
---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) |
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Sissy
Very Valuable Member
 
Age : 50
Joined : 20 Oct 2006
Posts : 630
| | Subject: Re: Water Barrels Fri 01 Feb 2008, 3:08 pm | |
| | You could always keep a lid on the barrel when it wasn't raining or when you didn't need the water to use. Barley hay is used in ponds to keep algae and other bacteria from forming. You can buy it through gardening catalogs. I've used it in my bird bath to keep the water fresh during hot, humid days in summer. It's environmentally, plant, fish and animal friendly. |
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Donna
Very Valuable Member
Age : 46
Joined : 12 Oct 2006
Posts : 1237
| | Subject: Re: Water Barrels Fri 01 Feb 2008, 3:51 pm | |
| | Thanks Sissy,,I will look for it.Thanks also Gayla. |
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skinflint
Very Valuable Member
Joined : 13 Oct 2006
Posts : 1773
Localisation : Queensland, Australia
| | Subject: Re: Water Barrels Fri 01 Feb 2008, 5:23 pm | |
| We installed a 5000 litre rainwater tank which is attached to our downpipes and it catches rain run-off form the gutters. The small opening at the top is fitted with very fine mesh which prevents mosquitoes from getting inside.
We recouped all our costs through local Council and Government rebates 
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~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~ |
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Donna
Very Valuable Member
Age : 46
Joined : 12 Oct 2006
Posts : 1237
| | Subject: Re: Water Barrels Fri 01 Feb 2008, 7:30 pm | |
| | Id love to have a water system,,I think its called Black water tanks...but they reuse your dish washing water and laundry water,,shower water also...by rerouting them when your done to a tank that uses the water to flush your toilet,,this way clean water isnt being "wasted on waste".We do have plans to use this idea in a future home. |
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gayla50
Moderator
Age : 52
Joined : 12 Oct 2006
Posts : 3229
Localisation : Western North Carolina
| | Subject: Re: Water Barrels Sat 02 Feb 2008, 5:13 pm | |
| we have all our grey water from the sink ( dishwasher , kitchen sink and tub) we send that water to the garden and out in the yard ... Oh yes we send our laundry out there
it was a big deal last summer when water shortage was such a problem ..
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Gayla
"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."
---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) |
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