Finally hooked up a rain barrel and it paid for itself in 2 months

I dropped $60 on a basic 50 gallon rain barrel from the hardware store back in April. Hooked it up under a downspout and started using it for my vegetable garden in the backyard. My water bill dropped by about $15 each month since I stopped dragging the hose out for watering. Has anyone else seen actual savings from one of these things?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_kim28d ago

Does that $15 savings factor in the time you spent setting it up and the space it takes up in your yard? I've been wondering if the real savings is more about water security during droughts than just the monthly bill.

jennifer_west28d ago

The $15 is just water, not counting the pump if you need one or replacing parts when they crack from sun damage. Most people forget their time has value too, and maintaining a rain barrel system adds up over a season. The real win is having water when the city restricts usage during a dry spell, not the pocket change each month.

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