Rain barrels an old-fashioned solution to modern water damage problem: IBC

Old is new again when it comes to rain barrels and how they can be used to help combat the modern problem of increasing water damage, suggests Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

Insurance claims for water damage have soared in recent years, and water has surpassed fire as the leading cause of damage to homes, notes a statement Wednesday from IBC.

A new study released by IBC and the Town of Stratford in Prince Edward Island shows the almost 1,000 rain barrels distributed by the bureau to families living in detached homes “had the capacity to reduce the flow rate to the treatment plant by as much 4.5%,” reports Amanda Dean, IBC’s vice president, Atlantic.

As part of the Stratford Rain Barrel Study, IBC notes the rain barrels had been installed under roof downspouts to capture water during rainstorms and relieve pressure on the storm water system.

Recent inflow and infiltration studies by the town indicate that excess storm water infiltration into its wastewater system is one of the contributing factors to overloading the wastewater treatment plant and hindering proper plant operations, IBC points out. As such, a demonstrated need exists to direct more storm water away from the town’s wastewater treatment system, it adds.

“Although it is difficult to measure actual reduction to the wastewater system, a reduction of 4.5% flow into Stratford’s wastewater treatment plant would be very significant to daily operations,” the IBC statement points out.

With the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events, IBC notes that storm water and wastewater systems in Stratford are becoming overburdened. “In the past, these systems have exceeded capacity during major storms, which has resulted in overflows and flooding in homes.”

The old-fashioned rain barrel fix is being touted by the bureau, which is working to help communities address the rising problem of water damage. “IBC is committed to helping Canadian communities build resiliency to help make sure they are strong, livable and healthy,” Dean says.

Related: IBC launches second phase of rain barrel project in PEI

Calling study results “modest but critical,” she emphasizes that even small reductions can make the difference necessary to prevent a storm water system from overflowing.

Kevin Reynolds, development officer with the Town of Stratford, would agree. “It just makes sense to use rain barrels rather than use the municipal water system. They may seem little, but if every person does something little, it’s a huge change in the community,” Reynolds says.

“This project demonstrates what we can achieve when governments, business and individuals work together toward a common goal,” Stratford May David Dunphy adds.

The Callaghan family with their rain barrel (CNW Group/Insurance Bureau of Canada)