rain barrels - just add water

8/9/2019 Rain Barrels - Just Add Water

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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 Educator

Ben Higgins, Senior EngineerBen Higgins, Senior Engineer


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The City of LincolnThe City of Lincoln

Watershed Management is a division ofWatershed Management is a division ofCity Public Works and Utilities DepartmentCity Public Works and Utilities Department

Responsibilities include:Responsibilities include:

Managing stormwaterManaging stormwater

Reducing flood hazardsReducing flood hazards

Improving water quality of stormwaterImproving water quality of stormwater

runoffrunoff

City of LincolnCity of Lincoln

Watershed Management DivisionWatershed Management Division


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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 bydministered bythe US Environmental Protection Agency, whish is administered bythe US Environmental Protection Agency, whish is administered by the Nebraskathe NebraskaDepartment 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 bodyharge into a bodyof 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 permitsobtain 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 publicquires publiceducation and public participationeducation and public participation

We got creative.We got creative.


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Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices Alternative stormwater management practices, which are intendedAlternative 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 andms andlakes.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 Fertil izer UseReducing Phosphorus Fertil izer Use


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Current Educational FocusCurrent Educational Focus

Rain Gardens

Rain Barrels

No PhosphorusFertilizer


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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 plantedrs plantedin 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 fromoff fromindividual properties, allowing the water and the pollutants itindividual properties, allowing the water and the pollutants it carries tocarries to

infiltrate the soil at its source, instead of entering the storminfiltrate the soil at its source, instead of entering the storm draindrainuntreated.untreated.


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Rainwater RunoffRainwater Runoff According to the EPA,According to the EPA,

70% of water pollution is70% of water pollution isnonnon--point sourcepoint source(runoff).(runoff).

Rainwater runoff carries:Rainwater runoff carries:Lawn fertilizersLawn fertilizersGarden chemicalsGarden chemicals

Pet wastePet waste

Automotive chemicalsAutomotive chemicalsDebrisDebris

. . . into the stormdrain. . . into the stormdrainsystemsystem

High amounts of rainwater runoff also contribute toHigh amounts of rainwater runoff also contribute to stream bank and shoreline erosionstream bank and shoreline erosion


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Why is the City of LincolnWhy 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 theyered out as theytravel 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 runoffpture 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 thePlanting a rain garden reduces the amount of water entering the storm drainstorm 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


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Rain GardensRain Gardens(in 1(in 1stst year)year)Rain GardensRain Gardens

BeforeBefore

AfterAfter

Lincoln ChristianSchool


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Current Rain GardensCurrent Rain Gardens

2727thth and F Street Parking Lotand F Street Parking Lot

Havelock ParkingLot

63rd & Platte

Lower Platte SouthNatural Resource District


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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 typically

Financial 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


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NO/LOW PHOSPHORUSNO/LOW PHOSPHORUS

FERTILIZERFERTILIZER


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No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus FertilizerMost soils in Eastern Nebraska contain moreMost soils in Eastern Nebraska contain more

than enough phosphorus and potassium forthan enough phosphorus and potassium forhealthy plant growthhealthy plant growth

City Private

FertilizerRunoff


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No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus FertilizerMost soils in Eastern Nebraska contain moreMost soils in Eastern Nebraska contain more

than enough phosphorus and potassium forthan enough phosphorus and potassium forhealthy plant growthhealthy plant growth

City Private

FertilizerRunoff


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No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus FertilizerToo muchToo muchphosphorusphosphorusfertil izer runsfertil izer runs

off propertyoff property

during rainduring rain

storms and intostorms and into

storm drainsstorm drainsleading toleading to

nearby pondsnearby ponds

and streamsand streams

1 pound of phosphorus can produce

over 300 pounds of blue-green algae


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No/Low Phosphorus FertilizerNo/Low Phosphorus FertilizerExcess fertilizer inExcess fertilizer in

waterways causeswaterways causes

tox ic algaetox ic algae

blooms, excessblooms, excess

plant growth,plant growth,

decreaseddecreased

available oxygenavailable oxygenfor aquatic life,for aquatic life,

and fish k illsand fish k ills


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No/low Phosphorus Business DecalNo/low Phosphorus Business DecalLake Friendly Fertilizer decal, was

given to businesses who sell nophosphorus, slow release, and

pesticide free fertilizer

Look for this decal on the frontdoor of local retailers!


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A rain barrel is an above groundbarrel modified to receive, store,and distribute rooftop runoff for

non-potable uses.

One inch rainfall

on 160sq ft of roofwill fill a 55 gallon barrel!

Rain BarrelsRain Barrels


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Rain Barrel BenefitsRain Barrel BenefitsRain water is naturally soft, oxygenated, andmore acidic than tap water.

Rain water is free of chlorine, fluoride, salts, andother minerals from tap water.

Saves water for dry spells.

Reduces runoff and stormwater pollution.

Can reduce your water billin the summer.

The rainwater collected can be used to water lawns andgardens or wash cars and bicycles. A rain barrel can

potentially save homeowners a significant quantity ofwater during peak months.


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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 install

Aesthetics of barrelAesthetics of barrelCost to buy, already assembled: $150Cost to buy, already assembled: $150--300300

Cost 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


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Rain Barrels: Lets Begin!Rain Barrels: Lets Begin!




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Rain Barrel DiscussionRain Barrel Discussion

Where 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




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Rain Barrel DiscussionRain Barrel Discussion

What to do about downspouts?What to do about downspouts?


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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 anotherWatch carefully, because you may be thinking of getting another rainrain

barrel after the spring rainsbarrel after the spring rains




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Rain Barrel AssemblyRain Barrel AssemblyParts you should have:Parts you should have:-- 2 cans of spray paint2 cans of spray paint-- 11 pvcpvc threaded adapterthreaded adapter

-- 22 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!)




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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: 1Parts needed: 1 pvcpvc threaded adapter, 2threaded adapter, 2 pvcpvc elbow, 1elbow, 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: 1Parts needed: 1 pvcpvc threaded adapter, 1threaded adapter, 1 pvcpvc capcap

Step 6: Discuss winter care, cleaning, mosquito maintenanceStep 6: Discuss winter care, cleaning, mosquito maintenance

Rain Barrel AssemblyRain Barrel Assembly


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QUESTIONS ??QUESTIONS ??For more information onFor more information on

water quality issues orwater quality issues orhow you can improvehow you can improve

water quality, please visitwater quality, please visit

lincoln.ne.govlincoln.ne.gov , keyword, keywordwatershedwatershed

Contact Amanda Meder atContact Amanda Meder at441441--7075 or7075 or

[email protected]@lincoln.ne.gov

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rain barrels - just add water

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