Excess water may be a good thing

The heavy and frequent rains over the last several days have led to numerous headaches for area residents, from issues related to minor flooding to slick, wet roadways that have lengthened daily commutes.

But the over-abundance of rainwater, if used wisely, can also provide a future benefit — both economically and environmentally — to homeowners throughout the Northwest Corner.

The Farmington River Watershed Association is once again sponsoring its fourth annual rain barrel program.

The barrels collect water from roof gutters when it rains, which can then be used for gardening or landscaping rather than relying on water drawn from a home’s well or tap.

The association, a not-for-profit organization that works to protect and conserve the watershed’s resources in Connecticut and Massachusetts, locally serves communities in the towns of Winsted, Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Hartland, New Hartford and Norfolk.

According to Aimee Petras, the education and outreach coordinator for the watershed association, through the rain barrel program residents can purchase a barrel at a reduced cost.

The barrels are important environmentally, Petras said, because they help to eliminate or reduce that initial onslaught of rainwater runoff from a home’s roof during strong thunderstorms and rain events.

That runoff, as it tracks along lawns and driveways, can pick up pesticides and oils that eventually find their way into local waterways.

“This is just one way to hold back that first flush of water,†Petras said.

Petras said research has shown that the average homeowner in the Northeast uses approximately 40 percent of their water for outdoor use, especially during the spring and summer months.

A 1-inch rainfall on a 1,200-square-foot roof will yield more than 700 gallons of water.

Petras pointed out that using a rain barrel is an excellent way to conserve some of this water to help water gardens, grass, bushes and flowers. In addition, she said tap water frequently contains chlorine and fluoride, which can also also have a negative long-term impact on the environment.

“Any way we can reverse that [watershed pollution], we are just going to have a better, healthier system,†she said.

Rain barrels can also help save a homeowner money by reducing tap water consumption.

According to Petras, a quarter-inch of run-off from an average roof will fill one 55-gallon rain barrel.

Five storms a season translates to 275 gallons of “free water,†she said.

The rain barrels, made by the Massachusetts-based New England Rain Barrel Company, are made from blue recycled plastic containers with tops that do not come off, so no children or pets can get in the barrel. They are also equipped with two spigots that allow for garden hose hookups.

In addition to the rain barrels, the company will offer area residents a closed-system composter at a reduced price, with a portion of each sale going to benefit the Farmington River Watershed Association during the program’s run.

For more information about the rain barrel and other upcoming programs, call 860-658-4442 or visit the association online at frwa.org.