Title: Snyder County Rain Barrel Workshop
1Snyder County Rain Barrel Workshop
- Jason Winey
- Watershed specialist
- Snyder County Conservation District
2This 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.
3Workshop Agenda
- Rainbarrel DOs
- Rainbarrel DONTS
- Rainbarrel Myths
- Rainbarrel Benefits
- Rainbarrel Construction
- Tips and Secrets
4Rainbarrel DOs
- Water Lawn
- Water Garden
- Wash Car
- Cleaning Windows and House
5Rainbarrel Donts
- Do not drink the water without testing it.
- Do not use the water for cooking or bathing.
6Rainbarrel Myths
- Its UGLY
- Its a Mosquito Breeding Ground
- It will catch all the water from my roof
- It can be used all year.
7Rainbarrel Myths Its Ugly
- Ill let the pictures make the point.
- Recommend Krylon Fusion which will bond well to
plastic
8Rainbarrel 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
9Rainbarrel 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
10Rainbarrel 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.
11Rainbarrel 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.
12Rainbarrel 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.
13Rain Barrel Construction
- No right or wrong way.
- Make it the best for your specific situation
- No one size fits all solution
14Rain 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.
15Rainbarrel Construction How to get Water IN
- I like to make things easy
- Cut a hole
- 4 Diameter if using an atrium grate.
16Rainbarrel 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.
17Rainbarrel Construction What to do with the
EXCESS water.
- Its really this easy
- Drill another hole.
- ¾ apply silicone and screw
18Rainbarrel 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.
19This 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.
20Any Questions?