Rain Barrels / Rainwater Recycling

New Kent Public Utilities promotes rain barrels are a simple and effective way to collect and store non-potable water. Rain barrels also prevent storm water damage to your landscape from erosion and ground saturation. Rain barrels are best used for hand-watering and trickle irrigation of gardens and flower beds. It is not likely that rain barrels alone will satisfy the irrigation needs of a sodded lawn.

How to Estimate Your Rainwater Collection Potential

Area to be Drained (sq. ft.) x [Annual Rainfall (inches) ÷ 12] = cu. ft. of rainwater cu. ft. of rainwater x 7.48 = gallons of rainwater collection

For example, if Kent is considering installing gutters and rain barrels on his new 10 ft x 20 ft shed in Quinton, Virginia, then the estimated rainwater that he could collect is calculated like this:

Shed Area = 10 ft x 20 ft = 200 sq. ft.
New Kent County Average Annual Rainfall = 43.77 inches

200 sq. ft. x [43.77 inches ÷ 12] = 200 x 3.65 = 729.5 cu. ft. of rainwater
729.5 cu. ft. x 7.48 gals per cu. ft.=5,456.7 gals. of potential rainwater annually

That volume of water is enough to water Kent's 10 foot x 15 foot garden with over 1.5 inches of water every week for a year, more than enough to supplement the natural rainfall. At the FY2012 Utility Rates, that same amount of rainwater collected also represents an estimated savings of $31.13 in water charges and $43.23 in sewer charges, for a total of $74.36.

Just imagine the gallons that could be collected (and the money saved) if Kent harvested rainwater from the roof of his 2,000 square foot home as well!