Making Every Drop Count

WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FACING ONE OF THE BIGGEST WATER SHORTAGES IN YEARS, Dan and Maya Sharp from Northwest Pasadena wanted to be water-wise when washing their solar panels. With just $45 in materials and a few hours of labor, they made their own rain barrel to capture the runoff.

The barrel collects quite a bit. A typical roof gutter can siphon off about 200 gallons from a mere quarter inch of rainfall. The Sharps now connect a hose to the rain barrel to irrigate their vegetable garden and deep water their fruit trees.

The barrel was a practical idea that supported their approach to living: Even small changes can lead to big differences for the environment. One of the most important benefits of this do-it-yourself project, the Sharps say, is that it has taught their children about the value of water and how capturing and conserving it must not be taken for granted. Watch a how-to vido at www.cityofpasadena.net/savewater and learn how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle water.

THIS ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM PASADENA IN FOCUS