Did you know lawn and garden watering can account for as much as 40 percent of household water use during the summer?
The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council promotes rain barrels as an excellent way to collect and reuse water.
A rain barrel is a simple vessel used to capture and store rain water that typically runs off your roof during a storm. Rain barrels are an easy way to harvest the rain water that normally runs into the streets and down the storm drain. All that rain water rushes into the nearest lake or stream without being filtered. Large volumes of rain runoff can erode stream channels, harm aquatic wildlife, and overdose waterways with large amounts of nutrients that can cause harmful algae blooms.
Once harvested, the water can be used to water gardens during dry periods. We’ll help walk you though some important decisions before buying and installing a rain barrel.
2019 Community Rain Barrel Sales
This year, the cities of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo are hosting rain barrel sales, offering wholesale, upcycled rain barrels to all residents at only $56.50 each. Place your online order by June 18, 2019 or mail-in order by June 14, 2019 and your order will be ready to pick up on Friday, June 21. Full information about the rain barrels can be found under the menu heading below “Where can I get a rain barrel?” and online
CITY OF BATTLE CREEK RAIN BARREL SALES.
Download the City of Battle Creek order form
Questions? Call Lizzy at (269) 966-3355 ex. 1889
Rain Barrel Guide
[x_accordion id=”Rain Barrel Guide”][x_accordion_item title=”Is a rain barrel right for me?”]When deciding whether a rain barrel will work at your home, ask yourself two important questions:
- Does my home, garage, or shed have a gutter and downspout?
- Can I use the water collected in the barrel?
A rain barrel must be placed under your downspout, which most often requires you cut the downspout just a few inches higher than the height of your barrel.
You’ll need to keep in mind that the barrel must be emptied regularly between rainfall, so either plan to water a lawn or garden nearby or add an overflow hose to keep water from over-topping the barrel.[/x_accordion_item]
[x_accordion_item title=”Will one barrel be enough?”]
One half inch of rainfall on a 12 foot by 12 foot section of roof will almost fill your 55-gallon barrel. If you’re collecting water from an area larger than this, you’ll need to connect a second rain barrel and/or plan for an overflow option.
The barrels are equipped with both fittings, meaning you can attach a hose between two barrels and use a second hose to direct water away from your home in case of a larger storm or larger roof.
Use this table for reference when planning the number of barrels you will need.[/x_accordion_item]
[x_accordion_item title=”How do I set one up?”]Watch this video for instructions.
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[x_accordion_item title=”Where can I get a rain barrel?”]
Many local home and garden retailers or hardware stores have rain barrels in stock during spring and summer months. These barrels are fully assembled and only require minimal installation work at your home. Many stores offer models with a decorative appeal, often plastic modeled to look like wooden or terra cotta clay barrels. Check out these attractive rain barrel options on Houzz.com.
Want an affordable option?
From time to time, the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and partners organize a community rain barrel sale. The barrels are manufactured in the mid-west from recycled food grade plastic barrels (that would otherwise go to the landfill). They are outfitted with all the fixtures and screw-on lid ready to be installed at your home. This “upcycled” rain barrel allows us to keep the price low (this year only $56.50), meaning more rain barrels installed in our watershed to collect rain water.
Select from four color choices (terra cotta red, blue, grey, and black). These plastic, 55-gallon barrels are made from recycled food grade barrels and come with a screw top with 1″ holes, screen mesh, overflow male hose connection, drain/spigot valve, and connection to attach additional barrels.
CITY OF BATTLE CREEK ONLINE SALE WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD MAIL-IN FORM – CITY OF BATTLE CREEK
CITY OF KALAMAZOO ONLINE SALE WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD MAIL-IN FORM – CITY OF KALAMAZOO
The barrel size is approximately 40″ H x 20″ diameter. These barrels are re-purposed from various foods, so size can vary slightly. Don’t cut into your downspout until you get your barrel home and decide whether or not to place it on a stand.
Terra cotta and grey barrels were the most popular at our last sale. The blue barrels are a bright, almost electric blue. Black barrels seemed to show the most scuff marks, but can be greatly lessened by applying some car wax.[/x_accordion_item]
[x_accordion_item title=”Can I make one myself?”]With some basic tools and some fittings from the local hardware store, you can turn any food-grade barrel into a rain barrel. There are many resources and instructions available online. Check out the handy instructions from the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (pdf) or check out the video below.
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[x_accordion_item title=”What precautions should I take?”]You should never drink water from your rain barrel.
Remember that an overflowing barrel can cause flooding near your foundation, always plan for overflows during large storms by connecting a hose to the existing valve and directing it away from buildings.
Empty your barrel and open all valves for winter storage outside. If the barrel fills with water and freezes, the barrel may split, voiding the warranty.[/x_accordion_item]
[x_accordion_item title=”Where can I find more information?”]If you have more questions, please visit Upcycle Products’ FAQ page.
You may also view and download our printer-friendly Rain Barrel Buyers’ Guide (PDF) to help you decide if a rain barrel is right for your property.[/x_accordion_item]
Explore the various ways to support the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council today!