Overview
Don't curse the rain next time you're stuck inside during a drizzle. Rain water was once considered a valuable resource in and around the home, but public water and sewage treatment systems have taught people to depend less and less on collecting and using rain. However, rain water is coming back into use as the public becomes more environmentally and economically conscious. Keep in mind that it is illegal to collect rainwater in some municipalities, and rainwater tends to be of a lower quality when collected in areas with high pollution.

Irrigate Lawn
Be prepared any upcoming dry spells by turning to your rain barrel for water to irrigate your lawn. Naturally, rainwater is an easy choice for watering outdoor plants or lawns. Harvesting rainwater for irrigation is growing in popularity in regions that face droughts, especially the Southwest. Rain barrels with hose attachments can be used to spray water from directly, or you can scoop water from the barrel with a pitcher or spray bottle to bring to your plants and lawn manually.