Rain Barrels and Cisterns What are they? How can we use them? How can we get one?

Rain Barrels and Rain Barrels and CisternsCisterns

What are they?What are they?

How can we use them?How can we use them?

How can we get one?How can we get one?

Let’s look at some examples:Let’s look at some examples:

More decorativeMore decorative

Multiple barrels connectedMultiple barrels connected

Personalize it:Personalize it:

Or buy it for $87Or buy it for $87

$149$149

$227$227

So Why?So Why?

City water has chlorine added to it to make City water has chlorine added to it to make it safe to drink. it safe to drink. When would chlorine not be good to have in When would chlorine not be good to have in

your water?your water? When would chlorine not be necessary in your When would chlorine not be necessary in your

water?water? What other chemicals and/or processes are What other chemicals and/or processes are

added to or done to the water to make it safe?added to or done to the water to make it safe?

Mr. CalhounMr. Calhoun

We have well water We have well water that is filtered, so why that is filtered, so why rain barrels?rain barrels? Save on electricity to Save on electricity to

run the pump.run the pump. The water filters must The water filters must

be replaced less often.be replaced less often. Animals and plants do Animals and plants do

not need filtered water.not need filtered water.

Other issues?Other issues?

Drought years or long Drought years or long periods of time periods of time without rain.without rain.

Can a well run dry?Can a well run dry? Karst system, sharing Karst system, sharing

water with the people water with the people around you.around you.

Mosquitoes breed in Mosquitoes breed in open water. Not good!open water. Not good!

CostCost

Jack and his wife live in a small home in Jack and his wife live in a small home in Salem. Last month they used 215 ftSalem. Last month they used 215 ft33 of of water. The bill indicated they were water. The bill indicated they were charged $8.60 for water and $13.25 for charged $8.60 for water and $13.25 for sewage. Taxes were added also. Write sewage. Taxes were added also. Write these numbers down for further reference.these numbers down for further reference.

http://www.onlineconversion.com/http://www.onlineconversion.com/

Use the above link to help you answer the Use the above link to help you answer the following questions:following questions: How many gallons of water did they use?How many gallons of water did they use? How many liters of water did they use?How many liters of water did they use? Not counting the sewer bill, what is the cost Not counting the sewer bill, what is the cost

per cubic foot of water?per cubic foot of water? Not counting the sewer bill, what is the cost Not counting the sewer bill, what is the cost

per gallon of water?per gallon of water? Not counting the sewer bill, what is the cost Not counting the sewer bill, what is the cost

per liter of water?per liter of water?

Sewer bill is based on water usage.Sewer bill is based on water usage.

If your home is connected to the City of If your home is connected to the City of Salem waste water treatment plant, then Salem waste water treatment plant, then you are also billed for a sewer bill. The you are also billed for a sewer bill. The amount of your sewer bill is based upon amount of your sewer bill is based upon your water usage. Why do you think the your water usage. Why do you think the sewer bill is based upon water usage?sewer bill is based upon water usage?

Paying for clean water again!Paying for clean water again!

Calculate what Jack pays for his sewer bill Calculate what Jack pays for his sewer bill for every cubic foot of water he uses.for every cubic foot of water he uses.

Now let’s assume since the bill was from Now let’s assume since the bill was from February, the majority of the water used February, the majority of the water used by Jack and his wife went down the drain by Jack and his wife went down the drain and through the wastewater treatment and through the wastewater treatment plant. But in the summer…….plant. But in the summer…….

Water the lawn and gardenWater the lawn and garden

We will assume Jack and his wife use We will assume Jack and his wife use

530 ft530 ft33 in May because of watering the in May because of watering the lawn, the garden, flowers,etc.lawn, the garden, flowers,etc.

Even though over half of the water didn’t Even though over half of the water didn’t go through the waste water treatment go through the waste water treatment plant, they will still be charged for it. How plant, they will still be charged for it. How much will they pay in May?much will they pay in May?

CisternsCisterns

Use the Internet to Use the Internet to define cistern. Be define cistern. Be sure to include in your sure to include in your answer the difference answer the difference between a cistern and between a cistern and a rain barrel.a rain barrel.

An example of how it works:An example of how it works:

Notice that it requires Notice that it requires some source of some source of energy to pump up energy to pump up the water, but holds a the water, but holds a lot more water.lot more water.

Many rain barrels can Many rain barrels can be set up so they are be set up so they are gravity flow.gravity flow.

Gray WaterGray Water

Use the internet to find the definition of Use the internet to find the definition of gray water and describe how it may be gray water and describe how it may be used to reduce the amount of water and used to reduce the amount of water and energy used.energy used.