This spring has been cold and rainy, making it easy to forget the “flash drought” of 2025. However, for residents whose wells ran dry last summer, it may not be so easy to forget that extended dry spell. This summer may prove to be just as bad, if not worse, based on some predictions.
Even during a wet summer, Harpswell’s geography — narrow peninsulas and steep coastlines — causes it to lose 80% of its rainwater to evaporation and runoff. That leaves little fresh water available for use — and it goes fast! It’s estimated that 550,000 gallons of water are withdrawn from Harpswell’s aquifers every day during the summer. So, preserving the rainwater that falls on your property can be crucially important to the health of your well.
Additionally, the slowed replenishment of well water may not be the only negative impact of reduced rainfall — there may be damage to your yard as well. Drought creates the harsh conditions in which many invasive plants thrive. These nonnative plants, such as Japanese knotweed, bittersweet, barberry, bush honeysuckle and burning bush, often outcompete native plants for water and nutrients, especially when those resources are scarce. So, if you are conserving water and are unable to water your yard during an extended drought, these weeds will benefit. To protect both your well and your garden, you can capture some of the rainwater that falls on your roof (before it flows back into the ocean) by installing a rain barrel.
Rain barrels are often overlooked as a smart solution for conserving water. This is unfortunate, as they are an easy and efficient way to harvest rainwater. For example, a 50-gallon rain barrel can fill up in 10-30 minutes during a moderate rainstorm. That water then becomes available for watering the garden, watering houseplants or washing the car (but not for drinking).
Savvy do-it-yourselfers can build themselves a rain barrel for about $15 worth of materials. For the rest of us, a 50-gallon barrel runs between $80 and $150 at a big-box store.
Besides the initial cost, there are logistical issues to consider. First, determine where you will site your rain barrel to capitalize on overflow from your roof. Flexible downspout attachments can be inserted to divert rainwater into your barrel.
Second, put a secure base in place — the higher the better, to maximize water pressure. If the barrel is placed near the ground, a small pump can be used to extract the water more efficiently.
Finally, most rain barrels come with a mosquito filter on top, but you can also sprinkle in a handful of biological control pellets, like Mosquito Bits, now and then.
Although these are factors to consider, it’s worth the effort to conserve water during our next drought.
To encourage folks to install rain barrels, the Harpswell Invasive Plant Partnership is offering a $25 “rebate” to the first 20 people who apply. Simply email a photo of your receipt and your newly installed rain barrel to hipp.maine@gmail.com. HIPP will send you a check for $25. This offer is available to all Harpswell residents, excluding HIPP volunteers.
If you have questions about installation, go to hipp.maine.org for more information. Let this be the year that you proactively help your well and garden by watering with rain!
