It may seem like the trendy, environmentally conscious thing to do, but for Kenne Saunders, her rain barrels are the ones saving her green.

The Buchanan County resident has gone to what some people would say are extraordinary lengths to save money each month. She’s hooked three rain barrels up to her house. Her philosophy: The water is free, why not take advantage of it?

With each storm, Ms. Saunders’ rain barrels snatch water from her roof and store it for watering her flowers, vegetables or anything else she comes up with.

“Once I got it, I realized that actually it was saving money to some degree,” Ms. Saunders explains. ”Out here, water is more expensive so you tend to look to things like that. And then I just decided that the plants liked it better. It was a more natural way to go with it, so why not?”

Rain barrels are an idea whose time has come — again. Rainwater harvesting has been around for centuries and used to supplement ground water supplies, but recently it’s found new life in the environmental movement as a way to conserve water, prevent runoff into storm drains and offer plants a better source of moisture.

“It’s a better water for the plants than treated water,” says Buchanan County extension agent Thomas Fowler. “It’s water that doesn’t have chlorine, fluoride or anything like that in it. Those types of things can build up in your soil eventually. So in a way, it’s a better moisture source.”

Mr. Fowler and Ms. Saunders agree — it’s easy to set up your own rain barrel system. You can either buy a commercially made one for around $100 or you can make one yourself for next to nothing.

“I’m afraid it’s become addictive,” Ms. Saunders laughs. “As I got into it more and more, I had to have more and more rain barrels. I need to figure out where I can put another one.”

“I have looked around, looking for more downspouts. I want one of these great big containers like farmers keep their gasoline in,” she jokes. “I’d put it up high so you can get that downward slope, but I don’t think I’m going to get that!”

Lifestyles reporter Tamara Clymer can be reached at tami.clymer@npgco.com.

Let it rain

1. Location, location, location: Choose a spot next to a downspout to make sure you have enough room. Most barrels are round and 30 to 36 inches wide, but other shapes and sizes are becoming available. If you have a tight space, don’t worry, you may be able to find something on the Internet.

2. Your barrel overflows: Most storms will dump far more water than a barrel can hold, so you want to be careful about where it overflows. Some barrels let surplus water slosh over the rim, while others have an outflow spout or diverter that can shoot the rest back down the downspout and away from the house.

3. Gaining access: Do you want to dunk your watering can in the top or do you want a spigot? If you want a spigot, make sure a can will fit underneath. If not, you can elevate the whole barrel with concrete blocks or specially made stands. Be sure the spigot has an on/off valve. If it’s threaded for a hose connector, you can use a soaker hose to water your plants.

4. Safety first: Make sure you have a screen on the top to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs, and it should latch so kids can’t open it. Also make sure the barrel is stable so it can’t be tipped; once it’s full, it will be heavy.

5. Room to grow: Once you get a taste for rainwater, chances are your appetite may grow, so think about that next barrel now. There are connectors available to hook barrels up together... or scout out a spot for your next barrel.

— McClatchy Newspapers