From Kansas City Gardener
Disconnecting our downspouts from the sewer system and reconnecting them to rain barrels is an important method for reducing runoff and improving water quality.
When rain falls on vegetated land, the water can be used by plants or filtered through layers of soil and rock. For eons, this process has recharged the earth's ground water and provided vital, even flows into streams and rivers.
In urban and suburban areas over the past 150 years, we've replaced much of the original vegetation of the region with hard, impervious surfaces like buildings and pavement, and less absorptive expanses of turf grass. This urban landscape absorbs less than 35% of the rain that a comparable parcel of natural landscape accepts. Excess rain water that cannot make its way into the soil collects ground pollutants such as fertilizers, animal waste, or sediment, and then it runs into our storm sewers and out into lakes and rivers without being treated. In addition, excess stormwater runoff increases erosion and causes sewer overflows and basement backups.
Rain barrels help ease some of these problems and capture this water to be used later.Rain barrels vary in size but most are around 55 gallons. If you consider that one-inch of rain on a 1000 sq ft roof yields 623 gallons of water, you know that you can fill several barrels with a summer shower. If you want the additional capacity, barrels can be linked together.
Are you looking for a rain barrel?
Rain barrels can cost between $60 and $250 when purchased on-line or at a garden supply store. Cost will depend on size, style and additional features such as extra spigots. For local sources, check www.rainkc.com, under 'Home Gardens/Rain Barrels' or under 'Where to Buy.'
If you have the time and desire to build your own, you will need a plastic food-grade barrel or wood barrel, some inexpensive hardware, and a little elbow grease. Garbage cans also work, but need to be the sturdy type from heavy plastic.
Regionally, food-grade plastic barrels can be hard to find. Start by contacting local beverage and food processing plants to see if they have any leftover from their production process. For an easier option, attend one of four remaining Bridging the Gap rain barrel building workshops this summer. These workshops will be held June 28 and July 12. A nominal $35 charge covers the workshop and cost of the rain barrel you'll complete and take home. For more information, or to register, call 816-561-1087.
Homemade rain barrels are relatively easy to construct from 55-gallon barrels and a few other basic components. Cost for materials will be approximately $50. The following is a simple construction sequence. If you need pictures to guide your do-t-yourself project, check www.rainkc.com, under 'Resources/Rain Barrel Info'.
1. Drill holes for fittings. First drill three holes in the barrel. One hole is for the spigot that will connect to your garden hose. The other two will allow for more barrels in the future. Your barrels needs an overflow fitting near the top of the barrel. Use a 1-inch hole saw to cut ¾" fittings holes.
2. Attach fittings. Apply plumbing sealant to the ¾-inch galvanized metal nipple and its threads. Using a pair of locking pliers, thread the nipple into the barrel hole for the fitting.
3. Cut your downspout at the proper height. Stabilize your rain barrel on one or two concrete blocks near the downspout, then determine the final height before cutting the downspout. Attach the necessary elbows and extensions to have the downspout reach the barrel. Secure a 4-inch by 2-inch ABS plastic converter to the end of the downspout and a fine mesh screen over the converter.
4. Add additional barrels. More barrels can now be added using a garden hose Y fitting on the ¾-inch nipples. Position each barrel on top of concrete blocks and cut the right length of garden hose to connect each barrels (with male fittings attached to both ends).
5. End product. Attach an overflow line on the first (or only) barrel near the top of the barrel. Secure it to garden hose for any overflow. Remove one of the two bung fittings on the top of the barrel and cover it with a small screen.
That's it! Once you've disconnected your downspout from our sewer system and diverted your stormwater to a rain barrel—or rain garden—you've taken a big step in helping improve our city's water quality.
