Snyder County Rain Barrel Workshop

1
Snyder County Rain Barrel Workshop

• Jason Winey
• Watershed specialist
• Snyder County Conservation District

2
This workshop has been partially funded by the
League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen
Education Fund under a grant from the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection.
3
Workshop Agenda

• Rainbarrel DOs
• Rainbarrel DONTS
• Rainbarrel Myths
• Rainbarrel Benefits
• Rainbarrel Construction
• Tips and Secrets

4
Rainbarrel DOs

• Water Lawn
• Water Garden
• Wash Car
• Cleaning Windows and House

5
Rainbarrel Donts

• Do not drink the water without testing it.
• Do not use the water for cooking or bathing.

6
Rainbarrel Myths

• Its UGLY
• Its a Mosquito Breeding Ground
• It will catch all the water from my roof
• It can be used all year.

7
Rainbarrel Myths Its Ugly

• Ill let the pictures make the point.
• Recommend Krylon Fusion which will bond well to
  plastic

8
Rainbarrel Myths Its a Mosquito Breeding Ground

• Mosquitoes need roughly a week of standing water
  to develop.
• Empty water within a week to avoid breeding.
• Add 1 tbsp of olive oil
• Keep barrel free of organic material
• Keep barrel covered with mesh

9
Rainbarrel Myths It will catch all the water
from my roof.

• In a one inch rain event the water off 10 sq ft
  will produce roughly 60 gallons of water.
• Plan for the overflow
• Link Barrels

10
Rainbarrel Myths It can be used all year.

• Disconnect barrel when freezing weather starts
  and reconnect existing spouting.
• Empty barrel and store upside down so it remains
  dry and clean.

11
Rainbarrel Benefits

• Outdoor watering can account for up to 30 of
  annual water bill. Save money by using
  rainbarrel.
• Using less treated water can reduce demand on
  water treatment facilities.
• Using non-chlorinated water will be better for
  gardens and lawns.

12
Rainbarrel Benefits

• Helps natural groundwater recharge.
• Reduces water pollution by reducing stormwater
  runoff from carrying pollutants like sediment,
  oil, grease, bacteria, and nutrients.
• Easy and Inexpensive to build and install.

13
Rain Barrel Construction

• No right or wrong way.
• Make it the best for your specific situation
• No one size fits all solution

14
Rain Barrel Construction The Big Three Things to
Keep in Mind

• 1) How to get Water IN.
• 2) How to get Water OUT.
• 3) What do I do with the EXCESS water.

15
Rainbarrel Construction How to get Water IN

• I like to make things easy
• Cut a hole
• 4 Diameter if using an atrium grate.

16
Rainbarrel Construction How to get Water OUT

• I told you I like to make things easy.
• Drill another hole
• ¾ bit if using the fittings that we used.
• Screw in fitting using silicone to seal.

17
Rainbarrel Construction What to do with the
EXCESS water.

• Its really this easy
• Drill another hole.
• ¾ apply silicone and screw

18
Rainbarrel Tips

• Control Mosquitoes by adding 1tbsp of olive oil.
• Fill bottom of barrel with clean limestone to add
  weight and correct pH of water.
• Raise barrel to increase pressure.
• Empty barrel within one week after rain event to
  control mosquitoes.

19
This workshop has been partially funded by the
League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen
Education Fund under a grant from the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection.
20
Any Questions?