Rain Barrel Workshops

We are currently in the process of developing a virtual workshop for continuing the rain barrel program in the digital world!

WMEAC is not in the industry of selling rain barrels. We offer an educational component on rain barrel usage and storm water runoff that enables us to provide the barrels at a low cost to the public. In order to receive a rain barrel it is necessary to register and attend a workshop.

A rain barrel is a container that is used to collect storm water from a downspout. The collected water can be used for washing your car, watering your lawn, and gardening. It is NOT meant for use as drinking water due to dirt, leaves, and bacteria.

Yes! The rain barrel design that WMEAC implements to capture the rainwater off of your roof and into your rain barrel will require a gutter system. If you do not have a gutter system, it is relatively inexpensive to attach a gutter to the side of the house that would have the most runoff. Alternative methods are available at the following links:

• Rain Saucers:
  • http://www.rainsaucers.com/blog/2012/10/16/new-standalone-diy-rain-barrel-kit
  • http://www.rainbarrelman.com/rainsaucer.htm

Rain barrels could create a mosquito habitat. However, at our workshop we provide mesh screens and assistance to prevent any openings for mosquitoes to get inside.

According to The National Conference of State Legislatures, Michigan does not have laws in regards to rainwater capture and there are no laws against rain barrel usage in this state. The City of Grand Rapids does not prohibit the use of rain barrels, and in fact encourages them as a storm water capture and reuse method. Grand Rapids is a partner in WMEAC’s Rain Barrel and Storm water Education programming.

There is a significant difference in water laws affecting states east and west of the Mississippi River. East of the Mississippi, landowners have a right to water from a given water body (or its watershed) on a first-come, first-served basis. So, upstream landowners can divert water (install a rain barrel) without legal consequences. West of the Mississippi, there is a historical record of which a landowner has a priority claim to that water, and it is in states such as this where rain barrels are generally restricted. The idea is that if you install a rain barrel upstream of your neighbor who has a priority claim to that water, you are capturing water illegally that belongs to them.

Algal growth occurs when water is stagnant and/or when sunlight penetrates the barrel. One of the best ways to prevent algal growth is to empty your barrel every 3 – 4 days if water has been left standing. Keeping your barrel out of direct sunlight will also decrease the chances of algal establishment. Another option includes keeping mesh over the water entryway to prevent nutrients, sticks, or moss from your roof from entering your barrel.

Algae found in rain barrels are not harmful and can actually be beneficial for your plants, since it adds nutrients to the soil. However it can be viewed negatively for its aesthetic appearance or scent.

There are a variety of ways to clean algae out of a rain barrel:

1. Add 1 cup vinegar to a full rain barrel
2. Add 2 tsp. chlorine or bleach to your rain barrel. This will kill the algae and evaporate in a day or two.
3. Flush the barrel on a regular basis. Stagnant water promotes algal growth.

Due to barrel supply constraints WMEAC has set a 2 barrel limit per household. This is to ensure that people interested in learning about storm water runoff and rain barrels are able to attend a workshop.

In order to receive another rain barrel from WMEAC it is required that you attend another workshop. WMEAC does not have the capacity to sell individual barrels out of our office location. Rain barrels or rain barrel kits can also be purchased from a local hardware store, such as Rylee’s Ace Hardware.

We purchase our components from Rylee’s Ace Hardware.

The best way to attach barrels is to buy a hose attachment for the overflow valve and connect the rain barrels by elevating one higher than the other. The elevation of one barrel will provide the pressure for the water to flow into the second, lower barrel.

Rain barrels mitigate non-point source pollution by collecting it instead of allowing it to flow from the roof to surfaces that contain pollution and into storm water drains. Storm drains carry polluted water into nearby streams and waterways and is therefore not able to be filtered through natural process, i.e. soil infiltration. If the water is collected by the rain barrel it can be filtered through the land as you water your garden or yard.

The metal components of the rain barrel will rust if left out during cold conditions. We recommend that you winterize your barrel by draining it of water, removing the hoses, and leaving the faucets open to prevent any water damage. Store your barrel upside down until the weather is consistently above freezing temperatures.

Crimp the edges of the downspout to fit it back into the attached portion. You can also buy a gutter attachment to make this process easier.

• Barrels should be cleaned before priming. Soapy water and a rinse should do the trick!
• You must apply a plastic primer before applying acrylic paint. Two cans are recommended to coat a 55 gallon drum. 
• After the acrylic is applied, please wait 48 hours of drying time before applying a top coat to seal the acrylic.

Rain barrels can weigh up to 500 pounds when full. Dirt can move and settle differently under that kind of weight, sinking the barrel into the ground. The base support is also necessary for proper usage in order to have access to the spout which is located near the bottom of the barrel. Also, because gravity is the driving force that will remove the water from your barrel a higher height will allow for more water pressure.

Rainwater contains the nitrogen that plants seek as a necessary nutrient for growth. This nitrogen isn’t contained in tap water. Tap water does contain chlorine and fluoride which is not always beneficial to plant growth.

Many people are concerned that using water from a rain barrel for produce is unsafe due to chemicals or animal droppings that may reside on the roof. However, studies indicate that the water is safe to use in the garden. As with any fruit or veggie, wash before consuming. Also apply water directly near the roots (using a soaker hose) so as not to apply the water directly to the produce.

However, if you have recently installed a new roof, wait at least 3 years before using the water on your garden. New asphalt roofs can leech heavy metals and particulates into the water that are unsafe to apply to vegetables and herbs.