Rain Barrels & Cisterns
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Rooftops are a significant source of stormwater runoff. When it rains, the first flush of stormwater that comes off of a roof is the most polluted, picking up all the toxic chemicals from the air and roof surfaces and carrying them into local creeks and rivers.
Rain barrels capture water from the roof, hold it temporarily, and allow it to slowly drip out and sink into the ground over a few days. They connect directly to a downspout, and a soaker hose or garden hose can be attached to easily use the stored water to water lawns, flower beds, and to wash cars.
Want to capture even more rainwater? Cisterns are similar to rain barrels but larger and can sit either above or below ground. While this water may be used to water plants or wash your car, you should never drink the water that a cistern collects.
Follow Stephen Barry from Arlington Echo as he shows us how to easily and properly install a rain barrel on a home downspout. Installing rain barrels is a very effective method of helping to reduce urban/suburban stormwater runoff pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Produced by Matt Rath