I guess I never really knew what a rain barrel was until this year. This image here of an old oak barrel was my only vision of what a rain barrel might look like. Well, now rain barrels are showing up all over Hamilton Mill and the surrounding neighborhoods, as homeowners try to find creative ways to keep the flowers alive this summer. The barrels we bought were brown plastic. They were actually pickel barrels that have been recycled.
I’m one of those nuts who (in previous years) would spend a BUNCH of money on water for my 1/2″ bermuda grass lawn and the many flowers and bushes in our yard. This year it’s a whole new story. Now I’ve got two plastic rain barrels — and I think I’ll get at least one more before summer. Hopefully, we can keep everything alive. Hopefully, we’ll get a bunch of rain this year too!
What do you know about Rain Barrels???
This information below came from Robert Pitt’s article in the Hamilton Mill “Hometown Herald”…
Rain barrels are containers that collect rain water and are typically located under roof downspouts. Did you know that there is a Rain Barrel University in Gwinnett County? The classes are held at the Gwinnett Environmental Heritage Center at 220 Clean Water Drive, Buford, GA. 30519. The phone number is 770-904-3500. The class cost $40.00 and includes a rain barrel complete with faucet. Most rain barrel prices start around $65.00 and run up to $300+. After graduating from the class, you may even qualify for a credit on your real estate taxes. As Hamilton Mill residents become more aware of water conservation the rain barrel will become a modification to their property. While the Modifications Committee encourages residents to get involved with water conservation, the installation and placement of rain barrels will need to be applied for just like any other modification. The barrels come in blue, white, green and brown. In most cases it will be necessary to paint the barrel to match the house or to camouflage the barrel. The placement of the barrels will need to be evaluated on an individual basis so that they are not seen from the street and are not offensive to neighbors. A property owner may use alternates to rain barrels that have the same volume as rain barrels. A down spout can be directed underground into a 50’ of perforated pipe surrounded by gravel that does not have an outlet. Another alternate would be to use a dry well that is 2.5’ by 2.5’ by 3’ deep and filled with rock. Another alternate would be to have a cistern with a volume equal to at least 50 gallons for every down spout directed to the cistern. Photographs documenting the dimensions of the practice, materials used, and method of construction should be included in the request for modification. The property owner should take care that these types of practices are located away from the house foundation and have a proper drainage path for when the practice fills up and overflows during a heavy rain. Some barrel sources other than the conventional “Home” stores are “Raindrops Rain Barrels” 770-813-0271 Raindropsrainbarrels@charter.net, or Uline 1-800-295-5510.
