Rain Barrel Workshop. Presented by Birch Bay Water and Sewer District Birch Bay Watershed Aquatic Resources Management District

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1 Rain Barrel Workshop Presented by Birch Bay Water and Sewer District Birch Bay Watershed Aquatic Resources Management District

2 Thanks to City of Blaine City of Bellingham City of Sumas Animal Health International Trans-Ocean Products

3 How many gallons per day does an average household use for outdoor watering? a) 10 gallons b) 30 gallons c) 50 gallons d) 75 gallons

4 One-half inch of rain falling in one day on a 1,000 square foot roof will generate how much water? a) 70 gallons b) 160 gallons c) 280 gallons d) 500 gallons

5 Workshop Goals Learn about the benefits of rain water collection Learn how to build and install a rain barrel

6 Workshop Outcomes Each participating household installs a rain barrel Reduce outdoor water consumption Reduce stormwater run-off

7 Incentive to Install Install your rain barrel in the next two months and receive a second barrel, hardware, and connection hose for free! (or mail) your name, address, and a photo of your installed barrel to Emily by June 13th. Make an appointment to pick up your second barrel and hardware at the Birch Bay Water & Sewer District.

8 Rain Barrel Statistics How Many Workshops = 8 Households = 145 Estimated Installed Barrels = 80

9 Workshop Logistics 1. Rain Barrel Basics 2. Benefits of Rain Barrels Water Conservation Stormwater 3. Example rain barrel ~BREAK~ 4. Rain Barrel Construction Demo Tools & Materials Placement & Maintenance Construction Demo Individual Barrel Preparation

10 Types of Rain Harvesting Systems Rain Barrels & Cisterns Storage tanks that capture water run-off from a catchment area such as a roof Difference Cisterns are large scale rain barrels

11 Why Use a Rain Barrel? Conserve Water Save Money Reduce Run-off

12 Permits & Water Rights Rain Barrels No permits or water rights required Cisterns No water rights required County Building permit required if >5,000 gallons and/or height to width ratio exceeds 2 to 1. County Health Department approval required if used for drinking water or primary water source.

13 Benefits of Rain Barrels WATER CONSERVATION

14 Water Source Surface Water Groundwater Ocean Well field in Blaine Cheap water source

15 How Much Water Do We Use? Average U.S. single family residence water use is 101 gpcd Birch Bay water customers use on average 126 gpcd

16 Where is the Water Used? Watering lawns, plants and gardens Toilet = 27% (19 gpcd) Outdoor 30% (31 gpcd) Indoor 70% (70 gpcd) Shower = 17% (12 gpcd) Faucets = 16% (11 gpcd) Source: Mayer et al, Residential End Uses of Water, p. 86 Clothes Washer = 22% (15 gpcd)

17 Outdoor Water Use Use the most amount of water when we receive the least amount of rainfall Peaking Factor Rain barrels collect & store water when you need it most

18 Uses for Rainwater Watering your garden Washing your car Cleaning outdoor/patio furniture Watering indoor plants & potted deck plants Washing garden containers & tools Any non-potable use you can think of! RAINWATER IS NOT USED FOR DRINKING WATER!

19 Uses for Rainwater (cont.) Emergency Water Source For non-potable uses Treat (iodine or boil) for drinking in emergencies

20 Benefits of Rain Barrels STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

21 Stormwater Before Development Rain fell on forests and wetlands Rain was captured and used by trees or soaked into wetlands slowing down and reducing runoff Halverson Park Mature conifer forest similar to predevelopment conditions in the watershed.

22 Stormwater After Development Rain falls on impervious surfaces like roofs Rain does NOT soak into the ground Stormwater runs off faster causing erosion Stream flows are higher causing flooding Stormwater picks up pollution on impervious surfaces

23 Stormwater After Development Residential Development Halverson Park

How much rain runs off your roof? Roof Area (ft2) Precipitation Amount Rain Water Stored Rain Event (inches/day) (gallons) 1000 Summer-typical rain storm 0.05 28.0 0.

24 How much rain runs off your roof? Roof Area (ft2) Precipitation Amount Rain Water Stored Rain Event (inches/day) (gallons) 1000 Summer-typical rain storm Summer-big rain storm Winter-typical rain storm Winter-big rain storm Number of 55 Gallon Barrels Filled

25 How much rain runs off your roof? 39 inches average annual rainfall on 1,000 ft 2 21,867 gallons 398 barrels 2,923 ft ft 14.3 ft 14.3 ft

26 Using Rain Barrels Rain barrels are a tool to slow down roof runoff Store rain fall to slowly release over time and soak into the ground Reduce peak flows during storms Work like a tree

27 - Questions? - Visit demonstration rain barrel - Sign up for barrel drawing - Break!

28 How to Demonstration RAIN BARREL CONSTRUCTION

29 What was in your barrel? Detergent Sodium hypochlorite Disinfectant Drinking water, pools Dairy equipment Iodine Disinfectant Diary teat dip Sorbitol Is a sweetener used as an additive in the manufacturing of surimi (artificial crab meat) Artificial fish/crab flavoring

30 Barrel Spigot Metal Washer ¾ Male Pipe to Hose Adapter Screen Cinder Blocks Hose Downspout elbow/diverter Materials

31 Tools Drill Bits Hack saw Sawzall/jig saw/dremel (optional)

32 Base Minimum 1 foot off ground Sturdy and level for safety Examples: Cinder blocks Bricks Stones Wood Cement

33 Participant Examples Credit: Vanessa Hamilton

34 Participant Examples Credit: Jered Penerson

35 Placing Considerations

36 Multiple Barrel Connections

37 Participant Examples Credit: John Ficken Credit: Jamie Law

38 Downspout Connections

39 Participant Examples Credit: Debbie Balance Credit: Matt and Deb Wilson

40 Credit: Jodi Sipes

41 Credit: Richard Schable

42 Credit: Ueli Nussbaum

43 Credit: Ray & Joan Murphy Oatey Mystic Rain Water Downspout Diverter $15-$20

44 Credit: Mike Iredale

45 Credit: Joan Adams

46 Safety Considerations Heavy = must be level! (1 gallon water = 8 lb.) Keep insects and animals out (West Nile) Chemicals in rain water Moss treatment Particulates from composite shingles Potential air pollution contamination DO NOT DRINK RAIN WATER!

47 How to Use Collected Rainwater

48 Maintenance Keep inlet clean of debris Check inlets and overflow Clean gutters Paint white barrels prevent algae growth

49 Winter Maintenance Direct overflow hose to location where water can slowly soak into the ground Check frequently during storms Keep inlet free of debris Guard against freezing disconnect as needed Varies by location and barrel type

50 Winter Rain Barrel Management Make room in your barrel for more rain Use your rain barrel in the winter too Drain with a hose after large storms

51 Questions?

52 Build a barrel demonstration Demo Barrel Drawing

End of Workshop Logistics ONE barrel per household registration Find barrel with household name Options: - Take barrel and assemble at home - Take

53 End of Workshop Logistics ONE barrel per household registration Find barrel with household name Options: - Take barrel and assemble at home - Take barrel and assemble onsite - Select spigot/overflow locations - Drill holes & pick up plastic debris - Install spigot/overflow - Volunteer photographer?

Rainwater Harvesting Devices

Rainwater Harvesting Devices (Rain Barrels, Cisterns, Tanks) A rain barrel/cistern is a water holding device which is placed at the base of a roof downspout with the purpose of collecting rainwater for