Rain Barrels: Just Add Water!Rain Barrels: Just Add Water!
City of Lincoln, Watershed Management DivisionCity of Lincoln, Watershed Management Division
Amanda Meder, Environmental Health EducatorAmanda Meder, Environmental Health EducatorBen Higgins, Senior EngineerBen Higgins, Senior Engineer
The City of LincolnThe City of Lincoln
Watershed Management is a division of Watershed Management is a division of City Public Works and Utilities DepartmentCity Public Works and Utilities Department
Responsibilities include:Responsibilities include:Managing stormwaterManaging stormwaterReducing flood hazardsReducing flood hazardsImproving water quality of stormwater Improving water quality of stormwater
runoffrunoff
City of LincolnCity of Lincoln Watershed Management DivisionWatershed Management Division
Why? Why?
•• Clean Water Act 1972Clean Water Act 1972–– Federal law enacted to regulate/reduce water pollution. CWA is aFederal law enacted to regulate/reduce water pollution. CWA is administered by dministered by
the US Environmental Protection Agency, whish is administered bythe US Environmental Protection Agency, whish is administered by the Nebraska the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (in our state). Department of Environmental Quality (in our state).
–– Permits issued to take care of point source pollution (pipe discPermits issued to take care of point source pollution (pipe discharge into a body harge into a body of water)of water)
–– Nothing done to address nonNothing done to address non--point source pollution (stormwater runoff)point source pollution (stormwater runoff)
•• Water Quality Act of 1987Water Quality Act of 1987–– Federal law began to require municipal separate storm systems toFederal law began to require municipal separate storm systems to obtain permits obtain permits
to regulate the quality of nonto regulate the quality of non--point source pollution (stormwater runoff)point source pollution (stormwater runoff)–– City of Lincoln, NE obtained a permit in 2002City of Lincoln, NE obtained a permit in 2002–– Improving water quality is a group effort; part of the permit reImproving water quality is a group effort; part of the permit requires public quires public
education and public participationeducation and public participation–– We got creative. We got creative.
Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices
•• Alternative stormwater management practices, which are intended Alternative stormwater management practices, which are intended to reduce runoff, flooding, soil erosion, and pollution of streato reduce runoff, flooding, soil erosion, and pollution of streams and ms and lakes.lakes.
•• These management methods include:These management methods include:–– Bioretention cellsBioretention cells–– Filter StripFilter Strip–– Vegetated SwaleVegetated Swale–– Green roofGreen roof–– Pervious PavementPervious Pavement–– Rain GardensRain Gardens–– Rain BarrelsRain Barrels–– WetlandWetland–– Native VegetationNative Vegetation–– Infiltration basin, planter, or trenchInfiltration basin, planter, or trench–– Riparian BufferRiparian Buffer–– Reducing Phosphorus Fertilizer UseReducing Phosphorus Fertilizer Use
Current Educational FocusCurrent Educational Focus
Rain Gardens
Rain Barrels
No Phosphorus Fertilizer
What is a Rain Garden?What is a Rain Garden? A rain garden is a garden of native shrubs perennials, and floweA rain garden is a garden of native shrubs perennials, and flowers planted rs planted
in a small depression, which is generally formed on a natural slin a small depression, which is generally formed on a natural slope.ope.
A rain garden is a water quality feature designed to capture runA rain garden is a water quality feature designed to capture runoff from off from individual properties, allowing the water and the pollutants it individual properties, allowing the water and the pollutants it carries to carries to
infiltrate the soil at its source, instead of entering the storminfiltrate the soil at its source, instead of entering the storm drain drain untreated.untreated.
Rainwater RunoffRainwater Runoff
•• According to the EPA, According to the EPA, 70% of water pollution is 70% of water pollution is nonnon--point source point source (runoff). (runoff).
•• Rainwater runoff carries:Rainwater runoff carries:Lawn fertilizersLawn fertilizersGarden chemicalsGarden chemicalsPet wastePet wasteAutomotive chemicalsAutomotive chemicalsDebrisDebris
. . . into the stormdrain . . . into the stormdrain systemsystem
High amounts of rainwater runoff also contribute toHigh amounts of rainwater runoff also contribute to stream bank and shoreline erosionstream bank and shoreline erosion
Why is the City of Lincoln Why is the City of Lincoln Promoting Rain Gardens?Promoting Rain Gardens?
•• Improves water quality by filtering out pollutants at the sourceImproves water quality by filtering out pollutants at the source–– Excess lawn chemicals are used by the plant root system and filtExcess lawn chemicals are used by the plant root system and filtered out as they ered out as they
travel through the soil layers.travel through the soil layers.
•• Decreases pollution from your property up to 100%Decreases pollution from your property up to 100%–– A Rain Garden that is built effectively and large enough will caA Rain Garden that is built effectively and large enough will capture all the runoff pture all the runoff
leaving your property.leaving your property.
•• Provides localized stormwater controlProvides localized stormwater control–– Planting a rain garden reduces the amount of water entering the Planting a rain garden reduces the amount of water entering the storm drain storm drain
systemsystem
•• Provides habitat for insects, birds, and butterfliesProvides habitat for insects, birds, and butterflies•• Easy to maintain after establishmentEasy to maintain after establishment
•• Aesthetically pleasingAesthetically pleasing
Rain GardensRain Gardens (in 1(in 1stst year)year)Rain Gardens Rain Gardens
BeforeBefore
AfterAfter
Lincoln Christian School
Current Rain GardensCurrent Rain Gardens
2727thth and F Street Parking Lotand F Street Parking Lot
Havelock Parking Lot
63rd & Platte
Lower Platte South Natural Resource District
Rain Garden ConstructionRain Garden Construction
Time Cost:Time Cost:Designing and planning the rain gardenDesigning and planning the rain garden
Digging, 4 to 8 hours typicallyDigging, 4 to 8 hours typicallyFinancial Cost:Financial Cost:
Type and amount of plants chosenType and amount of plants chosenAmount of soil amendments neededAmount of soil amendments needed
DoDo--itit--yourself cost: $2yourself cost: $2--3 per square foot3 per square footHire a contractor cost: $9Hire a contractor cost: $9--12 per square foot12 per square foot
Cost FactorsCost Factors
NO/LOW PHOSPHORUSNO/LOW PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZERFERTILIZER
No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus Fertilizer
Most soils in Eastern Nebraska contain more Most soils in Eastern Nebraska contain more than enough phosphorus and potassium for than enough phosphorus and potassium for
healthy plant growthhealthy plant growth
City Private
Fertilizer Runoff
No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus Fertilizer
Most soils in Eastern Nebraska contain more Most soils in Eastern Nebraska contain more than enough phosphorus and potassium for than enough phosphorus and potassium for
healthy plant growthhealthy plant growth
City Private
Fertilizer Runoff
No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus Fertilizer
Too much Too much phosphorus phosphorus fertilizer runs fertilizer runs off property off property during rain during rain storms and into storms and into storm drains storm drains leading toleading tonearby ponds nearby ponds and streamsand streams
1 pound of phosphorus can produce over 300 pounds of blue-green algae
No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus Fertilizer
Excess fertilizer in Excess fertilizer in waterways causes waterways causes
toxic algae toxic algae blooms, excess blooms, excess plant growth, plant growth,
decreased decreased available oxygen available oxygen for aquatic life, for aquatic life,
and fish killsand fish kills
No/low Phosphorus Business DecalNo/low Phosphorus Business Decal•Lake Friendly Fertilizer decal, was
given to businesses who sell no phosphorus, slow release, and
pesticide free fertilizer
Look for this decal on the front door of local retailers!
A rain barrel is an above ground barrel modified to receive, store, and distribute rooftop runoff for
non-potable uses.
One ½ inch rainfall
on 160sq ft of roof
will fill a 55 gallon barrel!
Rain BarrelsRain Barrels
Rain Barrel BenefitsRain Barrel Benefits•Rain water is naturally soft, oxygenated, and more acidic than tap water.
•Rain water is free of chlorine, fluoride, salts, and other minerals from tap water.
•Saves water for dry spells.
•Reduces runoff and stormwater pollution.
•Can reduce your water bill in the summer.
The rainwater collected can be used to water lawns and gardens or wash cars and bicycles. A rain barrel canpotentially save homeowners a significant quantity of water during peak months.
Rain Barrel InstallationRain Barrel Installation
Type of barrel: plastic, wooden, etc. Type of barrel: plastic, wooden, etc. Size of barrel: 50galSize of barrel: 50gal--250gal250gal
Amount of time to build and installAmount of time to build and installAesthetics of barrelAesthetics of barrel
Cost to buy, already assembled: $150Cost to buy, already assembled: $150--300300Cost to build and assemble on your own: $10Cost to build and assemble on your own: $10--7070
(Average size 55 gallons)(Average size 55 gallons)
Cost FactorsCost Factors
Rain Barrels: Let’s Begin!Rain Barrels: Let’s Begin!
City of LincolnCity of Lincoln Watershed Management DivisionWatershed Management Division
Rain Barrel DiscussionRain Barrel DiscussionWhere did these barrels come from?Where did these barrels come from?--WisWis--Pak in Norfolk, NEPak in Norfolk, NE
--Cost: $9Cost: $9--Contact: Contact: Terry Ralston at 402-379-2111 or [email protected]
Another source--Dick Miller (Dick Miller (akaaka Trader Dick) on 5110 Star St. Lincoln, NETrader Dick) on 5110 Star St. Lincoln, NE
-- Cost: $10Cost: $10-- Contact: 402Contact: 402--464464--52855285
City of LincolnCity of Lincoln Watershed Management DivisionWatershed Management Division
City of LincolnCity of Lincoln Watershed Management DivisionWatershed Management Division
Rain Barrel DiscussionRain Barrel Discussion
What to do about downspouts?What to do about downspouts?
Rain Barrel DemonstrationRain Barrel Demonstration
Drilling and CuttingDrilling and Cutting(Luckily for you, we did this to your barrel already!)(Luckily for you, we did this to your barrel already!)
--Watch carefully, because you may be thinking of getting another Watch carefully, because you may be thinking of getting another rain rain barrel after the spring rainsbarrel after the spring rains
City of LincolnCity of Lincoln Watershed Management DivisionWatershed Management Division
Rain Barrel AssemblyRain Barrel AssemblyParts you should have:Parts you should have:-- 2 cans of spray paint 2 cans of spray paint -- 1 1 pvcpvc threaded adapterthreaded adapter-- 2 2 pvcpvc pipe elbowspipe elbows-- 1 brass spigot1 brass spigot-- 1 large metal clamp1 large metal clamp-- 1 round green grate1 round green grate-- 1 wire mesh square1 wire mesh square(if you are missing one of these(if you are missing one of these-- please let me know!)please let me know!)
City of LincolnCity of Lincoln Watershed Management DivisionWatershed Management Division
•• Step 1:Step 1:Set aside spray paintSet aside spray paint
•• Step 2: SpigotStep 2: Spigot–– Part needed: 1 brass spigotPart needed: 1 brass spigot
•• Step 3: Rainwater EntryStep 3: Rainwater Entry–– Parts needed: 1 wire mesh square, 1 green grate, 1 large metal cParts needed: 1 wire mesh square, 1 green grate, 1 large metal clamplamp
•• Step 4: OverflowStep 4: Overflow–– Parts needed: 1 Parts needed: 1 pvcpvc threaded adapter, 2 threaded adapter, 2 pvcpvc elbow, 1 elbow, 1 pvcpvc pipe, pipe,
(Optional: discharge hose, 1 small clamp)(Optional: discharge hose, 1 small clamp)•• Step 5: Optional ConnectionStep 5: Optional Connection
–– Parts needed: 1 Parts needed: 1 pvcpvc threaded adapter, 1 threaded adapter, 1 pvcpvc capcap•• Step 6: Discuss winter care, cleaning, mosquito maintenanceStep 6: Discuss winter care, cleaning, mosquito maintenance
Rain Barrel AssemblyRain Barrel Assembly
QUESTIONS ??QUESTIONS ??
For more information on For more information on water quality issues or water quality issues or how you can improve how you can improve water quality, please visit water quality, please visit lincoln.ne.govlincoln.ne.gov, keyword , keyword “watershed”“watershed”
Contact Amanda Meder at Contact Amanda Meder at 441441--7075 or 7075 or [email protected]@lincoln.ne.gov
Don’t forget:
Take 2 cinder blocks
on the way out!
