New Rain barrel system added to our Bungalow Studio Office

As part of the expansion of the new Dix.Lathrop 1925 Craftsman Bungalow office, we strove to incorporate many sustainable Florida Friendly Landscape and Low Impact Development practices into the renovation of its native landscape to enhance the existing casual, natural feel of the property. In addition to the lush native landscape and drought tolerant plants, the rain garden, natural re-vegetation garden, and a low volume irrigation system we have recently added an iconic rain barrel system to the front of the property. The rain barrel was constructed to capture roof water, providing for supplemental water for use in the landscape and adjacent planted pots as necessary. The rain barrel also solved a functional design problem, as it captures roof water run-off that previously flowed from the roof and splashed on an exposed doorway. It was incorporated as a design element on the front porch, with an accompanying rain chain and planted pots.

A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams. Usually a rain barrel connected to your downspout—also known as a rain bank­—has few contaminants and is perfect for watering the garden. Lawn and garden irrigation can account for 40% of domestic water consumption during the summer. Rain barrels not only store water, they help decrease demand during the sweltering summer months. Only 1/4 inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will completely fill the typical barrel. Collection of water from rooftop runoff can provide an ample supply of this free "soft water" containing no chlorine, lime or calcium. A rain barrel will save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, it saves you money and energy (decreased demand for treated tap water while reducing the volume of water flowing to the sewer treatment facility). Diverting water from storm drains also decreases the impact of runoff to streams and lowers the percentage of roof top rainfall as a component of urban runoff. Therefore, a rain barrel is an easy way for you to have a consistent supply of clean, fresh water for outdoor use for a multitude of applications, including organic vegetable gardens, raised planter beds for botanicals, indoor tropical plants like ferns and orchids, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows.