Residential irrigation can account for 40% of domestice water consumption in a given municipality.  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.  Because it tends to have fewer sediments and dissolved salts than municipal water, rain water is ideal for a multitude of applications, including organic vegetable gardens, landscape plantings, indoor plants, automobile washing, and cleaning household windows.  Rainwater diversion will also help decrease the burden on the water treatment facilities and municipal drainage systems during storms.

Summary of the direct benefits of collecting rainwater:
~ Reduces the amount of potable water used on lawns and gardens
~ Saves municipal resources by reducing volume of water treated (chemicals, electricity, storage costs)
~ Decreases the negative impact of storm water flowing to our rivers and lakes
~ Lowers the percentage of rooftop rainfall as a component of urban runoff
~ Naturally softened water is preferred for delicate houseplants, auto cleaning and window washing
~ Lowers household water bills
~ Chlorine-free water helps maintain a healthy biotic community in the soil
~ Educational tool for teaching residents about water conservation and other sustainable practices