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# Check This Out: It’s Like a Bank for Water
July 17 2015
Written by Rickie Avrutin.
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GREEN ROSETTE-We humans have been collecting rainwater for thousands of years... from simple holes carved into caves to elaborate underground holding rooms. You can visit ancient cisterns in India, Pakistan, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Greece and wherever else water the rain gods could not be counted on. Ancient Rome even built cisterns beneath ampitheaters. Water cisterns were a natural, not to mention necessary part of life for a long, long time.
Thousands of years later, water cisterns still work amazingly well. No wonder water conservationists and government agencies are promoting them to developers and owners of large homes. By the way, our very own Getty Center in Brentwood, Los Angeles, has one that holds one million gallons of water. (Photo right: Entrance to ancient water cistern, Petra, Jordan)
For most of us, of course, underground water cisterns are clearly not practical or affordable. ***But rain barrels are!***
Rain barrels are simple barrel-shaped drums you attach to your rain spout, that is, in turn, attached to your rain gutters to channel rain off your roof. Rain barrels have on-off spouts near the bottom that you can attach to your water hose and turn on whenever you like. And voila – FREE WATER FOR YOUR GARDEN!
Rain barrels are easy to install. They come in different sizes. Most people should get one that holds at least 50 gallons. Some are very plain looking, ok, maybe ugly. Others are decorative. The plain ones are easy to camouflage with plants, spray paint, artwork, wooden slats…your imagination is the limit.
OK, I can hear you saying, Rickie, it doesn’t rain in L.A.! Well, think again. Climate experts say El Nino will likely return this winter, bringing a heavy downfall. Now’s a great time to prepare.
And guess what? In Los Angeles, you can get a REBATE of up to $100 for each rain barrel you purchase and install, up to four barrel! As most rain barrels for home use cost between $100 and $150, this is a great deal. Details [here.](https://ded2209.inmotionhosting.com/~citywa9/%20http:/socalwatersmart.com%20%20)
In addition, a wonderful non-profit organization, Tree People, [offers its own price incentive](https://www.treepeople.org/resources/rain-barrels). The Tree People website also has great information about what to look for when buying a rain barrel, how to install it and how to maintain it.
If you live outside the area served by the Metropolitan Water District, check with your local water agency for rebates in your community.
So get ahead of El Nino. And save money while you’re at it. Get up to four rain barrels. Get your rebates. Save water, save money and look great doing it!
*(Rickie Avrutin is a sustainable garden consultant, a smart garden columnist and the Executive Director at **Green Rosette**. She can be reached at* [*rickie@citywatchla.com*](mailto:rickie@citywatchla.com)*)*
*-cw*
*CityWatch*
*Vol 13 Issue 58*
*Pub: Jul 17, 2015*
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