Storm Water, Rain Barrels, & Water Conservation

This Presentation will Cover:

  • Storm Water Runoff and Impairments
  • How Rain Barrels Work 
  • Rain Barrel Installation
  • Rain Barrel Usage and Maintenance 
  • Resources  for Further Information and Help

Introduction

  • Less than 1% of the World’s Fresh Water is Available for Human Use.

Central Ohio is rich in water resources, from small creeks in wooded ravines to rivers and reservoirs used for recreation and drinking water. They are part of our identity and important to our economy.

Storm Water Impairments (1/6)

  • Storm Water Runoff

Storm water runoff is rain that “runs off” across the land and roof tops instead of soaking into the ground. Runoff can also be the result of melting snow.

Storm Water Impairments (2/6)

  • Impervious Surfaces in Cities Increase Runoff

Runoff increases greatly in cities because roads, roofs and drainage are designed to take water off of the land quickly instead of infiltrating water naturally into the ground.

Storm Water Impairments (3/6)

  • Increasing Water Quantity

Excessive runoff generally enters storm drains in the streets, picking up pollutants along its path. The polluted runoff flows to the nearest stream.

Storm Water Impairments (4/6)

  • Stream Erosion, Degredation

Increased runoff leads to stream erosion, flooding, and serious property damage. Runoff also impacts stream habitat and water temperature. Higher water temperature reduces the oxygen fish need to survive.

Storm Water Impairments (5/6)

  • Decrease in Water Quality

Storm water pollution that comes from multiple sources and locations is called non-point source pollution.

Storm Water Impairments (6/6)

  • Decrease in Water Quality

Causes of non-point source pollution include over-fertilizing lawns, dumping waste down storm drains, not picking up pet waste, disposing of yard waste in or along streams, washing cars in driveways, using salt or fertilizer to de-ice driveways, letting oil drip out of vehicles, and littering.

Benefits of Rain Barrels

  • Reduce Storm Water Runoff
  • Promote Natural Infiltration of Water
  • Decrease Flooding Problems
  • Improve Overall Water Quality
  • Decrease Combined Sewer Overflow Impacts
  • Provide Free Water!
  • Offer Low Cost Practice & Savings
  • Promote Water Conservation
  • Provide a Closed System
  • Provide Your Plants with Water They'll Love

How Do Rain Barrels Work? (1/2)

Rain barrels intercept water from the downspout, collecting water that would otherwise flow to the lawn or street gutter.

How Do Rain Barrels Work? (2/2)

  • 1.) Rain falls through downspout from rooftop.
  • 2.) A diverter directs the rainwater into the barrel. When the barrel is full, excess water passes through downspout to prevent overflow.
  • 3.) Spigot makes it easy to fill watering cans. Drain lets you empty rain barrel and attach hose for watering.
  • 4.) Lid locks for safety

Rain Barrel Installation

Follow the included directions and always keep your barrel on a level surface.

  • 1.) The hole must be drilled at the correct height for diverter to work properly.
  • 2.) If the hole is cut too low, the barrel will not fill.
  • 3.) If the hole is cut too high, water will overflow from the barrel.

Other Considerations (1/5)

Other Considerations (2/5)

  • Diverting Overflow

Consider diverting the rain barrel overflow into your yard, or better yet, a rain garden. This method is referred to as a“Treatment Train” and provides the added benefit of slowing runoff and filtering pollutants into the ground.

Other Considerations (3/5)

Getting Water to Your Plants

  • Fill Your Watering Can from Your Rain Barrel
  • Attach a Garden Hose
  • Attach a Soaker Hose
  • Use a Garden Hose Leading to A Soaker Hose

Other Considerations (4/5)

  • Aesthetics

With some additional planning, a rain barrel can be incorporated into any landscape.

Other Considerations (5/5)

  • Additional Storage Options

Consider using a cistern for additional water storage, or you can even connect multiple rain barrels together. Additional barrels can be purchased at many local retailers. 

Maintenance

  • Check during first rain/ heavy rain to be sure it’s working properly.
  • Clean out downspouts regularly to prevent clogging.
  • **Mosquitoes can breed in as little as 7 to 10 days. Empty barrels on a regular basis  after/before a rainfall to control mosquito breeding cycles. Use mosquito dunks inside barrels as needed to assure the control of breeding. 
  • After barrel is unhooked, plug up downspout diverter.
  • At the end of the growing season, empty, clean out, & put in storage.

Questions? Need Help?

Additional Resources

Finished!

You have reached the end of the presentation portion of the course. When you're ready, click on the button below to begin the quiz. After passing the quiz you'll have the oppourtunity to purchase your discounted EarthMinded Rainstation™ rain barrel.

Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District has a no-refund policy for all of its programs (unless we are at fault).  Please consider this before you order.

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