Rain Barrels

Adam Eitniear, Liberty Mason, Stephanie Brzeczek

Why use rain barrels?

Redirects rainwater that would have become runoff
Reduces non-point source pollution by diverting rainwater that would have picked up fertilizers, pesticides, trash, animal waster, or road salts, and ended up in bodies of water and harmed aquatic and human life
Reduces erosion and flooding by reducing the velocity and flow of rainwater through landscapes
Conserves household and municipal water usage and decreases cost of water purchased
Good irrigation alternative to treated water which can contain harmful chlorine
Can even be used for personal use in bathing and drinking depending on quality!

What is green stormwater infrastructure?

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) encompasses any nature-based solution with the end goal of bettering water quality.

Some common examples of GSIs are:

Green roofs
Rain gardens
Swales and ditches
Rain barrels!

All of these solutions divert and utilize stormwater from precipitation in unique ways. Reducing the amount of harmful runoff created by man-made structures, impermeable roads, and agricultural fertilizers is key in GSI program's ability to affect water quality. GSI can be scaled up or down depending on community needs and application. Green roofs may not be viable in smaller communities but residential rain barrels may benefit the same residents in saving on water costs (EPA, n.d.).

On left: various green stormwater projects from rooftops to backyards!

Globally

A rain barrel is something that can be taken advantage of by anyone. Water conservation is a main reason why people may want to set up a rain barrel, as they could use the water on anything they'd like. However, globally, rain barrels may be crucial in gaining access to free water in places where drinking water is highly privatized or difficult to access.

Nationally

A major benefit of using rain barrels nationwide would be reducing runoff pollution and erosion from large-scale agricultural practices. Project Rain Barrel is a program that runs across the US and Canada with the goal of providing free materials and workshops to reduce homeowners' water footprint!

Locally

A rain barrel on a local scale can range anywhere from simply setting a bucket outside during rainfall, to highly sophisticated setups, such as the picture above. Localized rain barrels would be great for watering one's plants. The WMEAC rain barrel workshop is a West Michigan program that focuses on community education about GSIs!

WMEAC Rain Barrel Workshops

The West Michigan Environmental Action Council currently holds workshops to provide low-cost rain barrels and educate attendees on how properly set up and maintain the systems. Workshops include upcycled 55-gallon barrels and all necessary components for construction.

Learn more!

Passive and Active Harvesting

Passive Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater flow is captured from roof runoff through gutters and downspouts by gravitational pull. Collected water travels down the downspout to a barrel, cistern, or tank, typically with a 50-100 gallon capacity. Rainwater can then be accessed for irrigation or other agricultural uses through spigots and hoses on the lower portion of the tank. Passive rain barrels also usually include a screen to prevent insects or debris from entering the tank.

Active Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater is collected from roof runoff or larger sources (such as parking lots or roadways) in more industrial systems. Active systems have a larger water storage capacity, typically between 1,000-100,000 gallons, and contain pumps and electronic water level sensors to redirect water flow against gravity and allow water flow to other household uses.

Limitations and Considerations

Potential for algae growth and mosquito breeding from direct and indirect sunlight
Relies on variable rain events that may become altered by climate change
Regional rain patterns must be considered in the planning stage
Certain states or cities may have regulations on rainwater storage and potable/non-potable water usage
Empty barrels before the winter season to prevent damage from freezing water

Rain barrels at the Sustainable Agriculture Project

Project & Budget

Budget information received from: Lawn Love: How Much Does a Rain Barrel Cost in 2023? and Angi: How Much Do Rain Barrels Cost? Conserving Water Costs Less Than You Think

To introduce more productive stormwater management practices at the SAP, two rain barrel systems can be added to the tool shed to save on irrigation costs.

While gutters will create an initial overhead cost, these rain barrels will reduce the overall stormwater impact of the SAP while only being around $4.06 per gallon for the rain barrel systems themselves.

This addition to the SAP could also become an effective teaching tool by allowing interns to decorate them, add QR codes to promote further education about GSI, and opening a dialog about DIY water diverting that can contribute to strong communal education