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For any readers that were planning to go to the Oshara Village Flea Market tomorrow, the 30th of May, to purchase our rain barrels, we apologize for any inconvenience but the fundraiser we had planned for will not be taking place.  There is still a possibility that the fundraiser will be held on a later date.  Despite there being no fundraiser tomorrow, we are still available with a large supply of barrels and other water harvesting systems, and can arrange for a delivery or pickup.

Water harvesting systems have grown tremendously in popularity in Santa Fe and other areas in Northern New Mexico.  Driving around Santa Fe during the day, one can see the tremendous amount of water harvesting systems in the homes of many of the city's residents.  Terra cotta rain barrels compliment the stucco colored houses throughout the city, and large tanks can be hard to miss standing firmly in the yard of some homes, many having a capacity of up to 4000 gallons!  Both rain barrels and tanks/cisterns are good ways to harvest water in the high desert that we live in.  However, for those that are wanting to have even less dependence on city water water, harvesting systems using tanks and cisterns are recommended.  These large water harvesting systems can be incredibly efficient and sustainable.  Some of them collect only rain water, which is directed into the tank or cistern with tubes coming from the canales.  Other water harvesting systems collect gray water from the household, which gets recycled back into the earth when plants are watered. 

The number of ways to design an effective water harvesting system is very large, and more creative ways are coming to be as sustainable living is more recognized for its importance in our lives.  However, no matter what particular method a person employs to collect water, it will always contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.  Rather than using the limited supply of water that comes shooting out of our faucets, water harvesting systems allow us to consciously harvest the water that comes as rain.  By collecting the rain, we can replenish it back into the earth, and in so doing allow for less of a dependence on outside resources for survival.  As we continue to live more sustainable lifestyles we will have a more positive effect on the earth that we live on, and be able to replenish some of the resources that we have used up out of ignorance.

May we all live more sustainable lives!

As the holiday season takes a hold of us, the weather is getting colder and plants remain dormant, waiting for the springtime to continue their growth. Outdoor activity is limited, and outdoor plants require very little attention while in their hibernating states. With all that said, water harvesting is in low need. However, for those who want to continue catching the snow melt coming from the roof, it can continue to take place whether plants are being watered or not. Due to the size of our cisterns and water tanks, water can continue to be collected with ease and no risk of freezing and cracking of the tank. With our Santa Fe rain barrels, however, it is possible for them to freeze and crack. Many if not most people with our rain barrels in New Mexico do not empty their barrels in the winter. Do this at your own discretion, and know that Santa Fe Rain Barrels is not responsible for any damage to your rain barrels if they are to freeze and crack. For those not wanting to empty their barrels over the winter, here some tips in order to minimize the chances of having to replace a cracked barrel due to freezing:

1. Try to have the barrels in a place that gets a good amount of sun. The South side of your home is the best place for this.

2. Check on them to see how much they are freezing. If the ice is getting really thick and you can't see through it or crack it, it might be best to empty the barrel.

3. Maintain them at a level that is not completely full so the water has room to expand as it freezes. This may help.

4. Leave the faucets at the bottom of the barrels a little bit open with a hose attached so that the water can run out and water a tree or plants rather than freezing.

Good luck with all of your winter water harvesting. We are still open for business throughout the winter. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in making a purchase or have any questions. Stay Warm!

Water catchment is essential for the preservation of a clean and reliable water supply in places that are very dry like New Mexico.  For anyone with outdoor plants and gardens that need watering, rain barrels and cisterns are a practical investment that will not only save you water, but also save our water supply from being depleted.  Here are a few reasons to invest in a water harvesting system in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and surrounding areas:

As the human population increases, the resources that our race is in need of to survive decrease, bringing ways to live sustainably into the forefront of our existence. As water is a key factor for the existence of life, access to it is of utmost importance, and people are beginning to realize that the more it is conserved and recycled, the more it will be around in the future. In Santa Fe and Albuquerque, a large amount of the population own rain barrels or some other form of water harvesting sytem. In other areas around the country and the world, similar solutions to the concern of water access are surfacing. In Dadaab, Kenya, women have begun to catch water during times of rain in order to water crops for food, and are fighting for the implementation of water harvesting structures to aid in their mission. In Pheonix, a relatively new convention center has both solar panels and a water harvesting garden, and the rise in water prices in India has been pushing the farming community to find an alternative to expensive irrigation systems.

Much of the world is beginning to see the importance of water conservation, much of this due to being forced to find a more sustainable alternative due to current conditions. After seeing how it could be without water, I wonder whether more of the population will choose water conservation before their plants begin to die and washing the car is unheard of.

Let's get started early! Water harvesting systems are easy to install and use, and can eliminate the cost of watering outdoor plants. Rain barrels, cisterns, tanks, and totes are some of the water harvesting systems that Santa Fe Rain Barrels currently offers. Don't wait until your plants are wilting!

Please contact us for more information.

As people in Santa Fe and the surrounding area are probably aware of, rain barrels are increasing rapidly in popularity for New Mexico households. Many of you either already have rain barrels, or have seen them at the homes of friends and family. Many of you have probably seen our Santa Fe Rain Barrels just driving around town!

Many of us in this dry climate are beginning to realize the importance of water conservation in our lives, and this is an issue which is turning more and more serious as the days go by. Throughout the country, the water catchment market has been growing rapidly, and probably will not slow down until the future of our water is much more secure. Rain barrels and cisterns are an easy and effective way to conserve water and keep your plants lush and green. We are committed to providing quality rain barrels, cisterns, tanks, and other water harvesting systems for the cheapest price in the Santa Fe, Albuquerque area. The earlier we start conserving, the less work we will need to do in the future to have water secure lives.

I hope that we can be of service for any of your water catchment needs!