Rain Barrel

	Printer Friendly Version
	What You Can Do Buy a Rain Barrel

	The Huron River Watershed Council sponsored two rain barrels sales, in September 2007 and May 2008. Although HRWC is not planning another rain barrel sale, we encourage all watershed residents to install a rain barrel on your property to HELP THE HURON RIVER! Below are some helpful links for installing a rain barrel and some useful information on the role rain barrels can play in protecting the watershed. To purchase a rain barrel, check with your local hardware store. Rain barrels can also be purchased through the internet.
	Links:
	Local Information:	City of Ann Arbor: information on the new storm water rates and credit system (including rain barrels) URL=www.a2gov.org/storm
		City of Ann Arbor Systems Planning Department: Rain Barrel and Rain Garden Information URL=www.a2gov.org/government/publicservices/systems_planning/Environment/Pages/Rainbarrel.aspx
		Ecology Action Center:rain barrel & storm water information URL=www.ecologyactioncenter.org/clean-water/rain-barrels.shtml

	Installation and Maintentance:
		Visit Seattle Rain Barrels' webpage for a guide to installing rain barrels URL=www.seattlerainbarrels.com/page4.html
		The Low-Impact Design Center, Inc. has a good list of components for rain barrel maintenance URL=www.lid-stormwater.net/raincist/raincist_maintain.htm
		Check out the City of Duluth and Lake Superior have an extensive list of winter tips & maintenance information URL=www.duluthstreams.org/stormwater/toolkit/rainbarrels.html
	Storm water Facts:
		1) For every one inch of rain that falls on a catchment area of 1,000 square feet, you can expect to collect 600 gallons of water.

		2) Most sources estimate that rain barrel efficiency is between 70% and 90%. To maximize rainwater collection, make use of your home's buildings (i.e. rooftop, shed, barn)

		3) The EPA estimates that watering your garden and lawn takes up 40% of your household water during the summer.

		Last Updated: July 2008