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Saving for a sunny day! The benefits of a rain barrel
What is a rain barrel?
A rain barrel is a rainwater collection system that stores rooftop runoff to be used later for activies like lawn and water gardening, car washing, even window cleaning!
What are the benefits?
- Clean, pure water
- Protect our natural resources
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Your plants will love it. Rain barrels provide pure, natural rainwater
- Rain barrels help promote infiltration of water into the water table, water that would otherwise be lost to stormwater runoff
- You become part of the solution and helping to save our resources for future generations
Have you ever wondered how much water runs off your roof? Most of us don't give it a thought. During a typical moderate storm of 1" rain during a 24 hour period, over 700 gallons of water will run off the average roof, an impervious area of 1,200 square feet. In one rainy day, your roof runoff could fill up 14 bathtubs! Add up the many roofs in your area, and we're talking a lot of water!
What is stormwater?
Stormwater is the water that is shed from impervious areas
Impervious surfaces (like rooftops, roads, sidewalks, parking lots) repel water and prevent precipitation from being absorbed by the ground. This causes stormwater runoff, which has detrimental effects on our streams
Stormwater causes accelerated erosion, contributing to increased sedimentation in our streams
Stormwater also picks up pollutants as it flows across roads, sidewalks, and driveways and then carries it to our local streams and waterways
Contolling stormwater, improving our lives one roof at a time...
Stormwater from your roof is usually directed away from your yard and on down the street or road. On its way, it picks up pollutants: dirt, lawn clippings, pet waste, salt, lawn chemicals, gas and oil, etc. This water and thepollution load it carries generally go to the nearest storm sewer and from there to the nearest stream or river. Studies have determined that up to 70% of our surface water pollution is washed in there by stormwater. You can help solve this problem by keeping stormwater on your property and using it the way nature intended: to water the plants in your yard!
Contolling stormwater, improving our lives one yard at a time
Just think: landscape watering consumes about 40% of your total water bill. Now think how much money you will save with rain barrels, while you are protecting your local rivers!
Reduce pavement runoff: pavement is the greatest cause of excessive rainwater runoff and the loss of local aquatic life.
Remove any unneccessary paved surfaces on your property
Remove the paved center of your driveway that does not need to support car tires. Plant grass, or mulch the middle area
Plant exposed soil, or cover it with mulch, wood chips, gravel or stone dust, depending upon expected usage
Uncover the pavement at the bottom of your driveway and replace it with a French drain or grate inlet to allow water to infiltrate into the ground, rather than run off into a storm drain
Rain barrels are containers that are connected to your downspouts to capture runoff from the roof. Rain barrels come in various sizes, ranging from 30 gallons to 100 gallons, and can be made of plastic or wood. You can also use a large container to capture rainwater, such as a cistern.
By collecting rainwater, one can save energy, water and money - as much as $600 a year. Rain barrels also help reduce erosion and stormwater runoff and increase water quality.
Where do I get a rain barrel?
Contact Martin SWCD at (507) 235-6680 and we can offer recommendations or you do a web search for "rain barrel".
Are mosquitoes a problem with rain barrels?
The rain barrels are capped with fiberglass screen that allows water in, but keeps mosquitoes from getting into the barrels to lay their eggs.
Rain barrels - it's a simple solution!
Martin SWCD
http://www.martinswcd.net
923 N State St, Ste 170
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 235-6680
email cathy.thiesse@mn.nacdnet.net
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