Slow it down - Winchester on the Severn

Slow it down - Winchester on the Severn Slow it down… What is a Rain Barrel? spigot is optional to drain water off your barrel into a bucket or watering can. Spread it out… Soak it in… A rain barrel is a tank, commonly made from plastic, which is used to collect rainwater that How Many Rain Barrels do I Need? can be used to water lawns, gardens, and This is the “new” mantra for stormwater runoff house plants. from our private properties. And for most of 1,000 square feet (about the size of a small us, this can be a confusing new concept. house) of rooftop produces 632 gallons in a A rain barrel collects roof water from a home’s Most of our houses were designed with summer storm. You don’t have to catch every downspout. Rain barrels come in a number of downspouts to carry stormwater away from drop, but every drop counts. The first flush in a different forms; however, at a minimum most our houses to dump it into the street. storm carries the most contaminants from your models come equipped with a spigot that can roof, so whatever you can catch in your rain be attached to a regular garden hose and/or a But what happens to this water? It flows from barrels will help improve the water quality of soaker hose. the street – carrying contaminants from our Chase Creek, the Severn River, and the Bay. roofs, sidewalks, driveways, and streets – In order to collect rainwater as it runs off a directly into Chase Creek and the Severn roof, the barrels are placed below a home’s River. downspout on a level surface. Some rain barrels are equipped with a mesh screen that will allow water to flow directly out of the downspout and into the barrel while others can be equipped with a downspout attachment that will allow water to flow into the barrel until it is full and then any excess onto the ground just as a downspout normally would. Placement of a rain barrel may require some modification to a home’s down spout. Flex elbows are commonly used to provide seamless flow of water from the downspout to the barrel. Rain barrels should be a solid color since translucent barrels encourage algae growth, especially in sunny locations. Runoff from Circle Drive ravine into Little Cove (4/22/09) How Does a Rain Barrel Work? If every house in Winchester on the Severn The downspout from your gutter is intercepted could capture just ? of the stormwater that How Much Maintenance is Involved? by using a flex tube. The water is stored in the falls on its roof, we could cut pollutants by barrel and then released at a slow rate using a 25%. And the easiest, least expensive way to Once a month you should clean the screen. bottom valve. A hose or soaker hose can be do this is with a rain barrel. Once a year you should flush the barrel. connected. There is also an overflow hose During the winter you should open the bottom which can be inserted in an existing drain, or it drain and disconnect any hoses. can be directed away from your barrel. The Diverting water from your downspout into rain I Don’t Want One of Those Tacky barrels has several advantages: Things in Front of My House! , Reduces the volume of water flowing to Your personal commitment to saving our the sewer treatment facility. waterways has to start somewhere, and a rain , Lowers the percentage of roof top rainfall barrel is the obvious choice. They come in as a component of urban runoff. many styles – from plastic recycled 55 gal. , Serves as a backup source of water food containers to luxury styles crafted from during times of drought or between rain In partnership with the used wine casks. But they all work the same showers. Anne Arundel County way, and they all demonstrate that your , Helps to keep our creeks and beaches Watershed Stewards Academy household is serious about improving the clean quality of Chase Creek, the Severn River, and Announce the FIRST • Saves money by lowering your water bill. the Chesapeake Bay. , Reduces the need for additional tax Winchester on the Severn dollars earmarked for sewer expansion. Visit 1509 & 1510 Circle Drive and 1506 , Chlorine-free water helps maintain a Winchester Road this spring to see rain Rain Barrel Sale healthy biotic community in the soil. barrels in action, and talk to these neighbors for more information and to find out what , Educational tool for teaching residents about water conservation. they’ve learned. Another very important aspect of having as More Information? Check Out These many rain barrels as possible in Winchester Websites or Just Google “Rain on the Severn is that they greatly help our Barrels:” community acquire grant funds for projects within our community. Granting agencies Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center such as the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Unity www.arlingtonecho.net (to be used for Gardens, and the Severn River Association Winchester rain barrel sale) like to see Bay-friendly steps taken by private Rain Barrles & Rainscaping citizens when they consider granting funds for www.rainscaping.org our neighborhood projects that go even further to save our Bay and improve the environment. Oak Cask Rain Barrels www.rainbarrelsannapolis.com What About Mosquitoes? Those of us who have already installed rain This brochure prepared for Winchester on the barrels use mosquito “dunks” through the Severn rain barrel initiative, Spring, 2011. summer. You can also use Clorox or vegetable oil to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs because mosquitoes seem to be able to penetrate even the most tightly sealed styles of rain barrels. March/April, 2011