Reading all the posts about everyone cutting back, thought I'd share what I use to water my garden with. The pictures were two years ago and I've double each setup for a total of 10 barrels now. The water barrels from the metal roof are used for my veggie garden. The others for container plants.
I made them all myself, very easy to do and can give anyone step-by-step instructions if you're interested.

They are worth it, saves my water bill from doubling in the summer months.

That brings back good memories! And your pooch can get a drink whenever he wants! lol
He's so cute :D

Where did you get the water barrels?

LOL! Pooches are 3
The hose is the connection on how to link barrel to barrel. Spigot is at the bottom for dispensing to either hose or watering can.

These barrels are set up year round and can freeze the spigots if not wrapped. The dogs actually prefer water from them vs city water.

For the barrels, check your local craigslist or google rain barrels for your city. I happened to run across a guy who brings in container loads out of Calif. They sell for $20 each and still usually have leftover olives or pepperoncini's in them. The dogs prefer the pepper ones =)

What a great idea.

Nice barrels. Never thought of hooking a water hose on them. Thanks for sharing.

We have had a simular set up for many years here, I do have to say they arent very attractive but since my DH has planted some sort of something in front of them I like it better...

I would be interested in finding out more about your pet cots ??

Not doing it this year, yet...we aren't metered on water usage YET...but will be within the next year or so...
Plan on useing a couple of them

When my former company closed, they had several large white plastic 50 gal barrells (they were full of glue) that I grabbed (I grabbed a TON of stuff from there!). Made two into similar water barrells - but not connected. One is on the deck for the deck plants, the other collects rain from the greenhouse and waters the greenhouse plants. We don't get nearly as much rain here in IL as you do in WA, so we have to use the hose sometimes.

BUT we're not metered so my bill doesn't change.

I do it because my plants prefer rain water to city water. City water scorches the leaves.

We have 2 rain barrels too and we use them for our garden and our flowers. Every little bit helps.

Great set up! That's what I plan on doing too!

Barrels can come in different colors and thicknesses. I prefer the darker, thicker ones as I would think white or blue would allow light to penetrate and therefore grow algae.

You always, ALWAYS, want to use a barrel that contained food grade product. No matter how much you've cleaned them out, we all know plastic absorbs whatever was in it. Even two years later I can still smell Pepper's in mine.

The first barrel in the run is the only one with a screen, all the rest have the original lids well sealed. I put 1/4 of a cake of mosquito dunk (non-toxic) in the first barrel. Even tho the screen is quite fine, just in case.

The hose hook-up's to link them wasn't big enough for the rain we get. I've gone to a larger clear tubing.

As far as the amount of rain we get vs where you live, you'd be quite surprised how little roof sq footage you need to fill a 55 gallon barrel.

Bonnie,

The dog cots are Coolaroo brand. Google it, you can get them many places. I've had those outside, but undercover, for 4 yrs and they've held up well. There is a replacement cover if I ever needed it.

For inside the house I use Kuranda. Expensive but more attractive.

Thanks I will pass the info onto my son...

Did you know that in some states it is now against the law to catch rain water?

Check this out on the Internet, might shock you.

great idea!

Colorado has such a law I know in 2008, not sure if the legislature has changed that yet.

Edited: With a bit of googling, Colorado's law was changed in 2009. Despite the internet info that they are illegal in my state, that is incorrect info. Not only are they legal, our city offers discounts on purchases of pre-made barrels.

So, how many people set up rain barrels?????