Rain Barrel Blog

Water Barrels and the Samaúma Tree

2009-06-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

In the Amazon forest, there grows a giant tree called Samaúma, referred to by the indigenous people as the "mother of trees". The Samaúma is one of the largest trees in the forest, and is very easy to notice high above the surrounding greenery, it´s branches reaching out over the plant life underneath like a mother caring for her children. One of the largest living trees known to the human race, the Samaúma has a special purpose in the natural world. The trunk of the Samaúma is hollow, and generally has a bulge in its center as if it were a full belly. Within the trunk is stored a large quantity of water, which in times of drought is released into the ground through its roots, giving life to the surrounding area. In this way the forest is able to survive until the next rain.

The story of this tree is a great example for everyone. Just knowing that this kind of consciousness exists in the natural world can be a great hope.

Conserving water with rain barrels and cisterns has a similar effect to the Samaúma tree within our society. By having these containers ready for rain, we can store water in them until it is needed in dry periods. Like this, we can preserve the lives of our plants as well as cut down on our usage of the water which grows more precious every day.

Please visit our website for any information on Water Harvesting Systems in NM. Let the great Samaúma be an example for all of us in conserving water and the environment in which we live.

Three rainbarrels of varying size and color

Samaúma tree
in the Amazon

10 Years of Water Harvesting

2009-05-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

The dawn of the year 2000 had many expectations leading up to it. Will it be the end of the world? Will it be the end of technology? Is it the beginning of a new era and consciousness? Similar to today´s 2012 doomsday speculations, the meaning and significance of Y2K had everyone around the world asking questions. People didn´t know what to think. Many people were afraid while others claimed that it was all just a big myth. As the time drew nearer to January 1st, however, the rumors got louder and those listening to them got prepared.

People driving by the back of our house off the main road of Eldorado in the year 1999 were occasionally greeted by a sign that read `Y2K Storage Barrels`, with a large amount of red barrels waiting to be sold, and my hopeful dad attending the many intrigued drivers that stopped by to have a look. The corner of our yard was stacked higher than the level of our fence with barrels, which we had unloaded from a full-sized semi despite the scrutiny from neighbors. Aside from that, the barrels smelled (and continue to smell) like garlic or peppers before getting washed out. We had hope that it would be worth all the trouble.

Needless to say, we didn´t have to send all the barrels back to where they came. People were buying them. Some for food. Some for water. Some to put pillows in and turn into a doghouse. Anything you could imagine. The Y2K hype was really working!

After the ball dropped and the parties died down, and people began forgetting about the Y2K new world which had been the only thing on their minds the night before, life went back to normal. It was only then that we really started to sell rain barrels as a way to store the water coming off people´s roofs. As the business started to grow, the city of Santa Fe got involved and granted us the right to give customers $30 dollar rebates on their water bill for buying barrels. We soon found ourselves delivering barrels to places outside of Santa Fe, and I became busier and busier getting orders ready for wholesale. The business spread to Albuquerque, and our methods of selling evolved with the number of barrels we were selling. It wasn´t as easy anymore to keep up with orders, so we were forced to find better and more efficient ways of preparing the barrels to be sold.

Today, after 10 years of selling barrels, the business has seen many changes. We now have a distribution in Las Cruces, NM, as well as the one we have had in Altanta, GA. We have many different sizes of tanks and cisterns, and they are all of various types and prices. The more people buy, the less limits we have in selling the barrels, and we encourage anyone interested, no matter where from or what is needed, to contact us.

The city of Albuquerque, although already big for NM, is continuing to increase in size and population. As the number of people using water increases, the level of Albuquerque´s ground water decreases at an even faster rate, signifying that water conservation must grow to match the demand for water. The earlier people conserve water, the more secure the future of our water supply will be, and we will be more prepared for any water-related problems to come. Rainbarrels for Albuquerque and Santa Fe are always available to interested clients. As the demand for water increases, we hope to meet that demand with a reliable supply of barrels.

Hope we can continue to serve you, and happy 10th anniversary of Santa Fe rain barrels!

Water Harvesting and Consciousness

2009-05-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

Natural resources in today's world are becoming more and more precious. The amount of plants of animals on the planet are slowly decreasing as the number of humans increases, throwing the equilibrium of the whole planet off balance. As the human population continues to increase, our consciousness must also increase in order to maintain the balance of the planet. One good way to prevent anything serious from happening is to start taking 100% responsibility for our actions right now, and act consciously in everything we do, keeping in mind the possible negative, and hopefully positive affects that may be a result of everything we do. The human race has been too careless with this earth that we have been given, and the more of us that realize this, the more we can act in a way that supports the natural world around us. By setting this example, those around us will be more encouraged to work towards consciously resolving the problems that have come about through generations of acting unconciously.

The first thing that we need to do in order to start moving in the right direction is to set our intention in the right place. If we want the world to be a better place, and are constantly thinking about it, we will naturally be more drawn to things that move us in that direction. The more our thoughts are aimed towards conservation, the more we will begin to live more sustainably. This isn't like a math problem which has a logical problem and solution. It is a matter of wanting to feel better, and for the people and world around us to do so as well. The happier and more at peace we are, the more our planet will also feel this vibration and continue to heal itself.

In this way, we should not conserve until it is natural for us to do so. We must first focus on our own well being, and as the quality of our lives increases we will naturally want to take better care of the earth that we live on. We welcome all those that are in a place of wanting to take better care of the earth to look into our water harvesting systems. We hope to play a part in establishing a world where the natural world is no longer threatened by our presence, and well being is the natural state.

Rain Barrels in and around Santa Fe

2009-04-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

The rain barrel business, although many of you may know it as Santa Fe rain barrels, does not sell exclusively to the city of Santa Fe. As demand rises and people have more and more of a need for barrels and water harvesting systems, our range of sale grows further away from our home town. For some time now we have been wholesaling barrels to different locations in Albuquerque, as well as taking orders for tanks and cisterns.

Right now, all barrels being sold in Albuquerque offer a 25 dollar rebate on your water bill, no matter how many you buy. That means you can buy a few barrels, not pay almost anything on your water bill for some time, and not be using as much water after that. I know that it´s easy to think that the water will never stop flowing out of your faucet, but don´t get too attached to that notion! New Mexico is a very dry place, and the groundwater will not last forever, especially at the rate that we are using it up. The more we conserve, the less we will need to later, securing a future with a reliable source of water. There are many places in Albuquerque that are currently carrying our barrels. Osuna Nursery, Purple Sage Garden Center, Hacienda Home Supply, Plantworld, Plants of the Southwest, and CSA (Community Sponsored Agriculture) all buy wholesale orders of barrels, making it easier for us to sell and people in Albuquerque to buy our product.

Rainbarrels for Albuquerque and Santa Fe are available to everyone living in one of these cities as well as those who don´t! We also make various trips to Taos, Pecos, Los Alamos, and other nearby areas, as well as ship orders of barrels to Atlanta, Georgia. If you are interested in getting barrels, no matter where you´re from, all you need to do is contact us. The more people that need water catchment in other places, the more likely we will be to deliver barrels to that place.

I hope we can be of help in making the places around us more sustainable and water secure.

Rain Water Harvesting and Sustainability

2009-03-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

Growing up in a country like the United States with all of the little conveniences that many of us take for granted, can be both a great gift and a great detriment. Of course these things make our lives a great deal easier and less complicated, giving us more time and energy to educate ourselves and make a living in a somewhat quiet and stress-free atmosphere. On the other hand, we are so reliant on these things providing for us daily, that we would not know what to do or how to live if something were to happen to them. What if our grocery stores ran out of food? What if the plant that provides electricity for our homes were to stop running? These are questions that may sound extreme, but which should not be dismissed. The days in which we rely on outside influences for our survival are coming to an end. What would we do if we turned on the faucet one day and nothing came out?

The state of California, after an unusual amount of draught, has recently begun to ration water in certain parts of the state, mainly for agricultural use. They say it hasn`t been this bad in 15 years, and don`t know when it will get better. I don`t know about you, but that sure gets me thinking. In New Mexico we are used to draught and not affected by it so much, but at the same time we are not growing the nation`s food supply! What would happen if California were to run out of water completely? That far-fetched imagination of grocery stores without food would not be too far from reality, I think, and people would probably begin to wake up and say ¨Hey, we need to do something about this!¨

In my travels and especially on my most recent trip throughout Central and South America, I have been amazed by how aware people in third world countries are regarding survival. They are used to having very little, and therefore always have a backup plan in the case that anything happens which jeopardizes their lives. The majority of them know how to grow food and raise livestock. They know how to build, and how to guard and maintain a steady supply of water in their homes. In times when the water doesn`t come out of their faucets, they just use the water saved in large tanks on top of their houses for whatever is needed. By always thinking of their survival, poor people all over the world are more prepared than the average priveleged but crippled Westerner. They know what could happen and prepare for it, while many of us are so used to having everything we need at the tip of our fingers that we do not consider the possibility of life without these luxuries.

Draught seems to be a growing problem in the world recently, and one of serious consequences. Without water, life cannot exist. That means that water is our most precious commodity for survival, and we must do all that is in our power to conserve it and make sure that we have a constant supply no matter what is going on around us. If we have a secure supply of water, growing food and doing other things to further a sustainable lifestyle can begin to unfold more naturally.

Nothing can be taken for granted. The situation of the world is currently at a very dangerous point, and nobody can be sure where it will lead us. All we can do is be prepared!

Santa Fe rain barrels can help to supply you with any of your water catchment needs on the path to a future of sustainable water.

Santa Fe Water Harvesting Systems

2009-02-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

With the rise of temperatures and melting of ice, the rain barrel business is now back in full swing. We are now officially back in business, ready to accomodate any needs you have regarding Santa Fe water harvesting systems. Although my dad and I are currently away, Lukas Nash, my brother, will be in Santa Fe running the business. We hope that everyone had a great winter and that you are ready for the hotter months to come.

Rainbarrels in the Winter Months

2008-10-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

As the aspens change color and pinon nuts litter tree riddled hills, the days get slower and slower and the world around us retracts in order to prepare for the winter months. With the changing of the seasons, rain barrels are in much lower demand, and soon the business will come to a close for the winter. There's not much to water in freezing weather, and therefore very few barrels to sell.

Although it's completely up to you, emptying your barrels in the wintertime can prevent them from freezing and cracking. In many cases, people never experience this problem though, and therefore it is encouraged for each individual with barrels to use their own discretion. They can freeze and crack, but won't always do so. For example, if you have your barrels on the south facing side of your house and they get a lot of sun, you probably won't have a problem. Just be warned that it can happen.

If you still need to get some rain barrels before the business goes into hibernation for the winter be sure to contact us as soon as possible for any orders. Harvest the Santa Fe water before it gets too cold!

Water Harvesting Paves the Way for a Sustainable Future

2008-08-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Many people view the current situation in the world as one with many problems and obstacles to overcome. For those that choose this viewpoint, that is the reality. However, if we focus on the good things around us, the problems will fall away in order to make more room for what we know to be of value in this world. On that note, why concentrate on not having enough clean water, when we clearly do, and can continually have enough as long as that is what we truly want.

Santa Fe water harvesting systems create less reliance on water coming from the city, which gives people in our dry city and state the option of watering plants whether or not it is a designated "watering day" during periods of drought. With a water supply that doesn't come from an outside source, locals can be reassured that they are saving money on their water bill, conserving water, and supporting a local economy in which less gas is used to ship in materials. Then they have the freedom grow food sustainably using their water harvesting systems, which in turn creates a household with less reliance on transported food. The more sustainable you get, the more sustainable you can get!

2008-08-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

For those of you trying to conserve cash, we have a number of $45 "dirty" barrels. These barrels have nothing wrong with them, they're just not as clean. If you don't care about the appearance, it's a good way to save a few bucks on your water catchment system. They can also be cleaned up if you have a good arm and some degrease soap and a scrubber.

We also recently got a shipment of 50 gallon Terra Cotta barrels, which we were low on previously. They are selling for $55 a piece, with the brown colored ones for $60. The 60 gallon brown barrels are $65 dollars, and all other 60 gallon barrels are $60. For a limited time we are also selling 55 gallon "wide mouth" barrels, which tend to be cleaner and nicer in appearance than the other barrels. They are 65 dollars.

If you are not already aware of this, we deliver any number of barrels for a cost of $15 dollars per delivery. Of course that depends on where you live. Santa Fe and Eldorado tend to be ok. Call first in order to set a time to meet. During the course of the summer we have also been selling on the side of highway 285 near the first entrance to Eldorado. We have been there on Saturdays, but might not be there again until next summer, depending on how busy it looks.

Take advantage of all the recent rain before it stops raining. It's a good chance to conserve water and save some money on your water bill.

2008-07-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

The water catchment season is in full swing. As soon as the rain stops, we're bound to go back into another dry period. With the water regulations that were taking place before the monsoons, barrels, tanks, and cisterns are the best way to save yourself from either a fine for watering too much, or a high water bill.

Until about a month ago, the city of Santa Fe offered a $30 rebate to people who bought rain barrels. This topic is currently under reconsideration and could be re-initiated in Santa Fe. Anyone buying barrels gets thirty dollars off their water bill with the rebate. So rainbarrels and water harvesting systems are a great opportunity to save both water and money!

We are currently fully stocked at our yard off of Agua Fria St. near Airport Rd. We have tanks and cisterns of all different sizes, as well as 50 and 60 gallon barrels. We offer our services to Northern New Mexico (mainly Santa Fe and Albuquerque) both wholesale and individually. We also send shipments to both Atlanta, Georgia, and North Carolina. Our prices can't be beat in the Santa Fe and surrounding area.

We encourage you to contact us regarding any questions or if you would like to take advantage of any of our services.

Rain barrels a good way to catch the monsoons!

2008-07-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

Due to the amount of rain we've been experiencing lately in the Santa Fe area, barrels are going fast! Although water restrictions might not be as high, it's a lot better to take advantage of the moisture in order to fill your rain barrels, rather than wishing they were full when we're in another drought. 50 and 60 gallon barrels are available, in a few different colors. Take advantage of the rain before it's too late!

Welcome to the Rain Barrel Blog!

2008-06-30T10:49:00.001-07:00

Santa Fe Rain Barrels is pleased to announce this new venue for notes on water harvesting in Santa Fe. After nine years in this industry, we have plenty of tips to share on how to make the most of the rain water off your roof.