Is Your Rain Barrel Ready for RAIN?

Drought or no drought, it is vitally important to conserve water every day here in LA. Harvesting rainwater through the use of rain barrels is a smart and easy way to make sure you’re catching every last raindrop that falls.

Here are four easy tips to ensure that your rain barrel is ready for RAIN:

R: REMOVE debris from your home’s gutters and downspouts. Professionals recommend cleaning out gutters and downspouts biannually, in the spring and fall.

A: ACCUMULATE more rainwater by connecting multiple barrels together. And, be sure to open the overflow valve at the top of the barrel before an expected rainfall.

I: INSPECT your rain barrel and spigot for cracks. To avoid mosquitoes, tightly seal all openings with 16-gauge screening. Use collected rain water for watering plants in your yard. NEVER drink collected rainwater or use it for pets.

N: NOTE how clean your rain barrel is and rinse with water, if necessary. For super dirty barrels, add two teaspoons of a biodegradable soap and two teaspoons of vinegar to the barrel before rinsing.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit LA Sanitation and Environment’s Rainwater Harvesting web pages and be sure to watch our free rain barrel maintenance webinar.