Rain barrels: Save that rain for a sunny day!

Rain barrels are a smart way to save money on your utility bills and protect water quality in streams and Lake Erie. They are a simple rainwater collection system that saves precipitation for non-consumption uses. If you have a downspout, put it to work for you.

While one rain barrel isn’t going to save the world, collectively, rain barrels reduce the amount of water that has to be treated by our drinking water plants. Water collected in rain barrels reduces the chemical impact of using treated drinking water on soils and the amount of runoff entering the stormwater system from our rooftops.

Did you know?

Just .25 inch of rain on 400 square feet of roof will fill a 55-gallon rain barrel. If you collect rainwater and later use it to water your plants, wash the windows, or wash the car on the lawn, you return the rainwater runoff to the soil and keep it out of the storm drain or swales.
Source: Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District

Click here to read more about rain barrels and get some answers to some commonly asked questions.

Build a Rain Barrel Workshops
All ages, Fee: $49 per kit
At this workshop we provide everything needed to build a hassle and mosquito free rain barrel ready to hook up to a downspout.  Barrels are containers used to collect and store rainwater that otherwise is lost to runoff or storm drains. Collected water can then be used for to water plants, lawns and gardens and to wash cars.  

All workshops are held in the Natural Resources Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Click on a link below or call 440-358-7275 to register or for more information.
Instructor: Lake Soil and Water Staff, min 4, max 20
Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 7 to 8:30 p.m