Barrels provide way to catch rain, conserve water
Megan Feddersen — Sentinel Staff Writer
POSTED: March 28, 2008
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A class on rain barrels is scheduled for Saturday through Community Education and Recreation in Fairmont. Instructors will be Tim Peterson and Cathy Thiesse from Martin Soil and Water Conservation District.
Rain barrels are “something that’s been around for centuries and we’ve really gotten away from it,” Thiesse said.
According to the SWCD, 1 inch of rain from a moderate storm will cause more than 700 gallons of water to run off a typical roof, enough to fill 14 bathtubs. The conservation district is promoting such facts and figures through a new program that provides rain barrels to residents at a cost and teaches how to set them up. Rain barrels are connected to drain pipes, with spigots and spouts in order to hook the barrels up to hoses or watering cans for use on lawns and gardens.
“Most of our water is used during the summer,” Thiesse said, pointing out that rain barrels allow residents to take advantage of free rainwater, instead of paying a hefty water bill during Minnesota’s green season.
A household can save as much as $600 a year by using a rain barrel, based on information from the conservation district.
“Through my job I’ve been able to see and learn about all of our impaired waters and the storm drain issues, and this is just one way to alleviate the pressure on our storm drains and the runoff going into our lakes,” Thiesse said.
She plans to install one or two of the 50-gallon barrels in her yard. The containers were previously used for food, like pickles and onions, and were washed out to use for the rain barrel project. They’re available in blue and white or they can be painted.
“There’s so much you can do with them,” Thiesse said.
The conservation district plans to hand out brochures on rain barrels, explaining how to maintain and winterize them.
The class will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday in the Five Lakes Elementary School cafeteria at 714 Victoria Street. The class fee includes the cost of a barrel, hardware for the outlet spouts and spigot, instructions and assistance with assembly. With a CER pass the fee is $23, or $26 without. Anyone who can’t attend the class can contact the CER office to pick up the hardware and barrel for $20, or preassembled for $40.
