Rain Barrel Presentation 020811

Rain Barrels

Westerville Rain Barrel WorkshopFebruary 8, 2011

Overview

• How do they work?• Benefits• Installation• Items to consider• Painting your barrel• Getting your water in the garden• Maintenance• Rain barrel examples• Resources

How do they work?

Benefits of a rain barrel

1. Free water!

Benefits of a rain barrel

2. Reduce storm water runoff

Natural infiltration of water

Decrease flooding problems

Decrease CSO problems

Benefits of a rain barrel

3. Improve water quality

Benefits of a rain barrel

4. Low cost practice & savings

Item Units Price per unit Total PriceBarrel 1 $31.00 $31.00Diverter & parts1 $15.00 $15.00

$46.00

Water usage 1 hr, 1/2" hose $3.70/wk for 6 mo. $88.80Total savings in 6 months $42.80

Benefits of a rain barrel

5. Closed system

6. Child friendly

7. Provide your plants with water they will love! Unlike treated water, which is "softened" with dissolved minerals, rain water is naturally soft. The water stored in your rain barrel is better than municipal water for watering indoor or outdoor plants.

Installation

• Follow directions on diverter

• Elevate at least 2’ for good water pressure

• Attach hose(s) or have your watering can nearby

Items to consider…

• Soaker hose

• Overflow if you don’t want to use a diverter

• Aesthetics

Painting your rain barrel

1. Can use outdoor/exterior spray paint

2. Or, try this!

Thoroughly sand the surface of the barrel. 

Spray paint the entire surface with Krylon Fusion for plastic.

Paint whatever design you would like with Acrylic or Enamel.

Spray the entire surface with a clear sealer.

Ways to get water into your garden

• Watering can

• Garden hose

• Soaker hose

• Garden hose section leading to soaker hose

• Into a rain garden

Maintenance

• Check it during first rain and/or heavy rain to be sure it’s working properly

• Be sure to clean out downspouts regularly to prevent clogging

• At the end of the growing season, empty rain barrel (use leftover water to clean off pots or garden tools), clean out, & store in garage, basement, or shed

• After rain barrel is unhooked for the year, plug up downspout diverter

Examples

Diverters

Stands

Setting up your rain barrel

• Parts & pieces included

• Questions

Resources you can use…

• www.franklinswcd.org – Franklin Soil and Water website

• www.gardeners.com – Gardener’s Supply• Backyard Experience in Clintonville• Generation Green in Dublin• Rain Brothers• Lowes, Home Depot, local hardware

stores, WalMart, Andersons, Strader’s Garden Center, Oakland Nursery

• www.rainbarrel.net

Thank you!

Contact

614-486-9613

Stephanie Suter, ext. 125

Mary Ann Brouillette, ext. 113

ssuter@franklinswcd.org

mbrouillette@franklinswcd.org