Water Harvesting & Rain Barrels

Now that I am feeling a little humidity in our desert air, I can’t help but think of the monsoons that will be soon upon us.  I have a covered patio that always seems to flood in monsoon season so I want to capture that water and use it for my many potted plants.  I’ve spent most of my Saturday morning researching all the great sites on how to build your own rain barrel because as silly as it sounds you can not just walk into Home Depot and buy one.  They have to be ordered and shipped!  I am flabbergasted that we live in the desert and  the City of Phoenix is not pushing for water harvesting like so many other cities.  So many places that already receive plenty of rainfall are encouraging rain barrel use. Not only does the water that is harvested benefit our garden plants but it also prevents oil slicked water run-off  from city streets to pollute our water sources. One interesting article I read was regarding Kansas City which is displaying a couple dozen rain barrels decorated by local artists.  Great idea to get folks interested. 

Here are some of the links I found of use for constructing your own barrel and learning about water harvesting:

http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/publications/WaterHarvestGuide.pdf  (great step by step instructions with photos)

http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/Pubs/Rainbarrel.shtml

http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/  (great site by Brad Lancaster on water harvesting in the desert)

http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/events/build-your-own-rain-barrel-8  (a hands-on class where you build your own)

~ by Sharon Miller on June 28, 2009.