Most people who live in the Jersey City area are aware of the problem with water runoff flooding the sewers. There is help on the way. Through a program aptly named the Jersey City Rain Barrel Initiative, a number of rain barrels will be available for a discount price to Jersey City residents.
Do you remember the old song entitled “Playmate”? A kid wants her friend to come out and play. She describes various ways they can play, and then says, “and we’ll be jolly friends forever more.” One of the activities she mentions is “look down my rain barrel”. The most recent generation of kids probably don’t know what a rain barrel is. They’re making a comeback these days, and the systems are a little more complicated than they were when that song was written.
Water collected through these systems can be used for watering yards, and other things that don’t require water of drinking purity. Even if you live in a condo, chances are there are at least plans for a water collection system. It just makes good sense. Why allow the water to run off into the sewers and flood things when it can be collected and used productively, or at least diverted to places where things won’t back up and flood?
People who have larger properties can find a whole gamut of systems to install. They begin with the old water down the spout into the barrel idea and get more and more sophisticated. The containers used to collect the water range from a huge garbage can, to a barrel used for food or other substances, to huge vats. Of course you wouldn’t want to use anything that previously held any kind of toxic materials. Some people are even using several containers at a time and connecting them in various ways.
If you go online, you can find all the information you need to make your own system. If you live in a condo, it may be a good idea to bring up the subject of water collection with the other owners. Newer complexes are being designed to take care of water runoff automatically. It’s a relatively new practice, though, so do some discovery about your own place. It’s not only good for the environment, it can save everyone money in the long run.
How does your community handle water runoff?
Edward