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Commentary: Turning on to rain, and turning off the tap, 55 gallons at a time

Posted by: Maven on December 17, 2009 at 5:53 am

From the Los Angeles Times, this commentary by Molly Selvin, a professor at Southwestern Law School:

“Ijoined the city’s rainwater harvesting program in October, when fierce Santa Ana winds made the notion of any rain, not to mention enough to “harvest,” seem fanciful to say the least. But last week’s glorious pelting rains filled my new storage barrel to the brim, along with those of several of my Mar Vista neighbors.

My rain barrel, which looks like a plastic beer keg, sits under our kitchen window, so as my morning coffee dripped last Monday, I watched runoff trickle in. Still in my pajamas, I padded outside to test the spigot at the bottom of the barrel; sure enough, out spurted a jet of water.

The next morning, I filled a watering can and gave my houseplants a drink of rainwater. This is truly the stuff of suburban drama.

My 55-gallon barrel won’t change the world, or even affect our household water consumption all that much, assuming we use the Metropolitan Water District average of 171 gallons a day to shower, wash clothes and dishes, and water our lawns.

But in California, where there’s little doubt we’re in a years-long drought, even small steps make a difference. … “

Read more of this commentary by clicking here.

December 17, 2009 · Filed Under Flood Control/Stormwater

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