LA’s Rainwater Harvesting Program
When I learned about the free rain barrels available to residents in my area at the Wise Water Use Expo in July, I didn’t expect to mine to cause so many people to make jokes about it. But in retrospect, I should have seen it coming. One friend offered to organize a rain dance - which we might actually do at next Sunday’s neighborhood block party, another laughed so hard she could barely get out “What rain?” My point exactly. When the rains do come, and even in a dry year like this last one, we still got over nine inches of rain, and then I’ll be the one laughing. One storm is expected to fill my barrel’s 55 gallon storage capacity, so that cuts the LA DWP out of my plant watering at least twice per rainy day - once from the rainfall itself and at least once when I use the stored water after the storm has passed.
The process was fairly painless - there is an easy online application. I hesitated applying because my home has gutters in the back only, but the rep at the Water Expo encouraged me to go for it. He said if my application was approved, someone would come determine if my property would work, find a location and schedule a time for delivery and set up. Jerry, a “rain gutter specialist.” did just that, and assured me that I had plenty of roof surface to fill the barrel. He recommended sitting the barrel on a cinder block base to get the water flowing better, and explained how the screens worked to keep out leaves and insects. Good thing, because the last thing we want is a mosquito breeding ground on our deck! I moved a plant to under the barrel spigot after noticing a few drips, and that Desert Rose succulent has never been happier.
According to the LA Times article that ran last week, there are still 170 barrels up for grabs if you live in the pilot program area - which includes Mar Vista, so get your application in today. If the program works as planned, you’ll be helping to save over 500,ooo gallons of drinking water per year - and keeping the beaches cleaner by diverting runoff from the storm drain system. And maybe you’ll get a few good ones out of your friends and neighbors, too.
Tell us about your experience with rain barrels - gotta love that these they use in the pilot program once were pickle containers!
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I applaud you friend, for becoming a part of “rainwater harvesting.” Kudos to you and all those who are taking this seriously and realize the importance of “saving our precious, priceless water” that comes free from the beautiful heavens!
At 70, I’ve been doing this since I was a very little tike. Granny did it, mom did it, and I continued to do it as well for many, many years. We didn’t call it “rainwater harvesting” just “collect-en” because it was the right thing to do. Remember hearing about our ancestors having to carry water from the river banks??? Well, it really happened, long before wells were dug, and rain barrels became the “fad.”
So today, let’s keep it going “just because it is the right thing to do!”
Congratulations to all who are a part of the Rainwater Harvesting.org and please keep up the great work.
I’ve tried to help out by inventing the new, American Made, “Gutter Clutter Buster” gutter cleaning tool to keep rain gutters squeaky clean in a safer, cleaner, easier and faster way than any tool on the market today. Please visit me at http://www.GutterClutterBuster.com and you decide if this could help you to stay safe, stay well, and “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled. God Bless America Good luck and Best Wishes for Success in all you do!
Great! Water collected in rain barrels can be used to water plants, flush toilets etc Water shortage is a growing concern in places like Southern California and following some simple steps can save many gallons of water per day. Find many more tips on saving water at http://j.mp/1Y5qRz