Shaleen of Redwood City was the raffle winner of a new 50 gallon rain barrel from our Rain Barrel Workshop in May.
“It was an amazing experience getting it all together!” Shaleen told us.
She decided to first update her downspout— which after getting materials, took only 20-25 minutes to install—and did most of the installation on her own.
When asked about her interest in owning a rain barrel, Shaleen shared that conserving water was a top priority to her for multiple reasons. “We had planting material that needed plenty of water…which resulted in a higher water bill,” said Shaleen. “We’ve made changes to the planting materials we added during quarantine and succulents/cacti has been the way to go, still keeping our lavender, inpatients, marigolds and such.” Shaleen continued to explain that the versatility of rain barrels provides an available supply for “a water fountain, which attracts birds, but results in needing it to refill.”
Another usage of the rain barrel included improving the stability of her home and the small body of water nearby. “The landscape around our home seemed to have an erosion problem and all the water coming off the roof was not helping. Plus there were times the creek next to us would overflow,” said Shaleen.
“There were so many uses for the rain barrel at our home that I was so glad I could install one.”
After asking about whether she would recommend a rain barrel to others, Shaleen’s excitement flowed through her words.
“I would definitely recommend a rain barrel to my friends and family, Shaleen exclaimed. “You can conserve water and help the environment—not to mention save on water use and costs. It’s a win-win situation.”
Thank you Shaleen for telling us about the reasons why you wanted a rain barrel and your installation experience!
If you’re feeling inspired, make sure to register for and attend our Oct. 24th rain barrel webinar.
Don’t Miss Out on the Countywide Rain Barrel Rebate!
All residents of San Mateo County are eligible to receive a rebate on a rain barrel through the countywide Rain Barrel Rebate Program, which now offers a tiered program of rebates from $50-$200 depending on the size of your barrel and the area you live in!
As Shaleen told us, rain barrels benefit the environment, your plants, and your budget. How?
- With the recent water crisis in California, rain barrels are one of the best ways to save money and water by cutting back potable water used for irrigation.
- Rain barrels protect local creeks, the San Francisco Bay, and the Ocean by reducing urban runoff that transports litter, motor oil, copper, and other pollutants into storm drains.
- Rain barrels can moderate flooding during the rainy winter season, decrease land erosion, and also reduce the amount of moisture that reaches your home’s foundation.
Click here to read about more benefits of installing a rain barrel. Questions? Drop us a line at info@flowstobay.org.
