The City of Saskatoon has been experiencing problems at its water treatment plant since early June. A mandatory ban on outdoor water usage was put into place for a few weeks, with a $300 fine to be levied on anyone breaking the ban. Now, we are allowed to use sprinklers for a few hours a week (or we can fill a pail or watering can at any time and water that way). The City has been encouraging people to use water barrels.
At the School of Yard Knocks, water barrels are a way of life. The ones I use were cheap to buy and no-frills (no screen, no tap). My parents always stressed that rain water was better for plants than the chlorinated water from the sprinklers. It's "free" too - other than the cost of setting things up. I have four 60-gallon water barrels - two off one downspout at the garage and two off one downspout off the back of the house. I am currently down to about 30 gallons. It's been hot and dry for a couple of weeks.
Usually, when all four barrels are bone dry, I will fill one each at the house and the garage with water from the hose, and let that sit for a few days. My parents said the chlorine would evaporate (is that true? I don't know). I'm hoping we might get an unexpected rain shower before the weekend.
Do you use rain barrels? How many do you have in your garden? I'm considering getting a few more.
