RI Water Lady: Rain Barrels

Information & Education

The Rhode Island Water Lady supplements her garden watering needs using rainwater harvesting techniques which include the use of rain barrels, rain gardens, and water gardens. Rain water is captured from the downspout gutters and collected in 60-gallon rain barrels. Hoses can be connected to the barrel to move the overflow water down and into a garden area. Small pond pumps can be used to move the water over a long distance or to create sufficient pressure for water spraying.
How Much Water is Needed for the Garden?
Most lawns require about one inch of water each week to remain actively growing during summer months. Vegetable crops require about one to two inches each week depending on root depth, growth stage, and soil type. One inch of water for a 1,000 foot garden equals 620 gallons of water - the amount you can collect off of a 1,000 square foot roof during one inch of rain.
What If It Rains or Doesn't Rain?
When there is a lack of weekly rainfall, it is crucial that irrigators pay close attention to the weather and water wisely. Not only does improper irrigation waste valuable water, but excess irrigation water can also carry fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants to ground and surface water.

How Much Water Can I Collect From the Roof?
One inch of rain water can generate up to 620 gallons on a 1,000 square foot roof. Residential stormwater management tools include the use of rain barrels to collect and move rainwater away from your home or other buildings. Contact me for additional information on how you and your community can promote water conservation while protecting your home and property. ​
Rain Gauges Can Help You Calculate Water Need
Use a rain gauge to measure weekly rainfall and apply only the amount of supplemental water needed.
Avoid frequent watering, it encourages shallow root depths and can weaken plants. One thorough watering event each week is best.


About Us

The philosophy of the RI Water Lady is to inform, educate, and provide water conservation products to support sustainable gardening practices using existing resources, recycling materials, and rainwater harvesting techniques. For example, rain barrels are sold at a greatly discounted price through community bulk purchase programs.
Who We Are

The RI Water Lady is a locally owned Rhode Island business and a 'Certified State of Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise (WBE/DBE, MBCN 1456). The Rhode Island Water Lady partners with The Great American Rain Barrel Company to provide sustainable 60-gallon rain barrels which come in three colors (green, light gray, or dark brown) to meet your outdoor water needs. We stand by our product which is a recycled food barrel (previously used to transport olives, capers, or vegetables from the Mediterranean).
Our History

The RI Water Lady business started as a project with the University of Rhode Island Master Gardeners in 2006 an effort to promote water conservation using sustainable horticultural practices and recycled food barrels which were headed for the landfill but repurposed to become 'rain barrels'. Using high quality recycled food barrels retrofitted as rain barrels from the Great American Rain Barrel Company partnerships are formed with local communities to bring rain barrels to gardeners as part of the community water conservation strategy. Primarily New England based we are able to ship throughout the USA, support large contracts of 500+ orders, & help you design a program specific to your needs. While the business has grown the philosophy and goals remain the same.