I just purchased two rain barrels and am amazed how fast they fill up from my down spouts.

I have a modest-sized ranch house but during a recent light rainstorm even this small roof collected enough water to provide a week's worth of irrigation for my container plants and some of the nearby flower beds.

These rain barrels are of high-quality plastic and hold about 80 gallons. I purchased the optional diverters as well. A diverter is a device that fits into the downspout. (You have to cut a section out to install it but this is a simple hacksaw job after you follow the directions and measure correctly).

In its down position, the diverter directs the rainwater to the barrel. When the barrel is full, there is an overflow outlet to which you can attach a hose to direct the excess away from the house. When the diverter is in the up position, the rainwater goes down its normal route.

The barrel comes with a large screw top and a fiberglass screen to keep critters out --including egg-laying mosquitoes. It also has a spigot useful for filling a watering can. The spigot has a hose fitting.

The cost with diverter is $95. Beverly O'Keefe, a Master Gardener who also works for the state Water Resources Board, has been taking orders for the barrels (she already has distributed more than 100 of them.) You have to pick up the pre-ordered barrels from her Exeter home. Beverly (aka The Water Lady) is not in the business -- she simply orders them in batches because she feels strongly about our need to conserve water. And let's face it, all the rain falling on your roof is free. To find out if you still can order rain barrels, contact The Water Lady.

Contact information is ladyslip@verizon.net.