Collecting and using rain water makes environmental sense and economical cents. Not only do you save on your water bill the whole year through, you also save your garden plants and soil the trauma of chlorine and other unnatural chemicals. Divert and collect rain water into a rain barrel.

A rain barrel collects water from roofs and gutters for you to use in the future for watering you lawn, garden and house plants. You can even use the water collected in a rain barrel to wash your car.

Most of the rain barrels that are available have a timeless aesthetic elegance; some look like terracotta, but they all have the enduring longevity of modern plastics.

Lower your monthly water bill, especially in the summer months, by collecting thousands of gallons of water a year that is free!

If you’re looking for a way to help your environment by reducing water pollution, which can occur from large amounts of storm water runoff reaching water sources, then think about getting a rain barrel.

A rainfall of 1 inch in a 24-hour period can produce 700 gallons of water that runs off a typical house! This storm water, while running from our homes, picks up litter, pet waste, excess fertilizer, motor oil and more and transports all of it to storm drains. That water is not treated before being dumped into our waterways. This is why rain barrels are so important - because they play an important role in protecting our waterways.

Decrease your household’s impact on the environment while saving on your utilities by buying a rain barrel or two and start collecting that run-off!

Amazon sells several different rain barrels and there’s sure to be one that matches your yard’s décor; accessories can also be found there.

Most of the bestselling rain barrels are even eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping at Amazon – you can’t beat that! These things can be pretty large and shipping would normally be very expensive – great selection and great deals await you, see the links on the right to find the rain barrel that’s right for you. Make sure to check out the tips below!

• Don’t drink the collected water or use it for cooking or bathing.

• Make sure the lid is secure so kids and pets can’t fall in. You also want to prevent mosquitoes from getting in, so make sure all openings are secure.

• Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the water every season for added mosquito prevention, just in case some mosquito eggs get in.

• During cold winter months, you may want to disconnect the barrel from downspouts to avoid damaging ice formation in the barrel.