Why is Rainwater Harvesting a good thing?

1. Why is Rainwater Harvesting a good thing? • Reduced toxic runoff • Reduced flooding and erosion • Promotes Biodiversity • Groundwater recharge is promoted • You save money $$$$ • Less energy is consumed $$$$ • Less potable water is consumed $$$$ • Plants prefer rainwater 

2. Rain Barrels“Helping Rainwater go Slow” Tia Gonzales Alabama Cooperative Extension System Water Quality Division Raincatchers

3. Two Problems • Water shortages • Water pollution

4. Water Shortages

5. Water Pollution • Many of our water pollution issues are due to stormwater. • The problem with stormwater is that it is TOO MUCH water, too fast.

6. What is stormwater? • “Water that runs off impervious or water saturated surfaces and carries toxins, sediment and pathogens into nearby waterways” • Toxins…herbicides, insecticides, gas, oil • Fertilizer, especially P • Sediment • Pathogens such as E.coli

7. What is stormwater? • It’s too much, too fast …and it’s nasty • Full of oil, gas, poop, wasted fertilizer, herbicides, un-needed insecticides, dirt that lost it’s home • Blows-out streams and causes flooding, erosion, property damage, habitat loss

8. No Storm? • Don’t leave the sprinkler on too long • Manage automatic sprinkler systems • Don’t wash your car in the driveway • Stormdrainslead to the creek

9. Which is it? • Not enough water? • Or too much water, too fast?

10. Seattle King Center • 1600 employees • Rainwater harvesting meets >60% of entire facility’s water needs • Saves >1.4 million gallons of drinking water per year • Keeps runoff from • entering storm sewers

11. Why is Rainwater Harvesting a good thing? Reduced toxic runoff Reduced flooding and erosion Promotes Biodiversity Groundwater recharge is promoted You save money $$$$ Less energy is consumed $$$$ Less potable water is consumed $$$$ Plants prefer rainwater 

12. Hidden energy cost of water The estimated total current U.S. water-related energy use to be at least 360 billion kWh per year. (EPA Estimate) Recognize the Hidden Energy Costs of Water Transport and Treatment

13. The Best Thing about Rainwater Harvesting: Infiltration Infiltration Infiltration

14. Slow Water Water needs a slow, intimate relationship with plants, soil and soil flora.

15. Slow Water at Work • 02. A landscape harvesting resources. Arrows denote water flow. See "Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1" for more

16. Water in a Hurry

17. Slow it Down • “Don’t let your Rainwater become Stormwater!” • Catch that Water • Allow Infiltration

18. How do I get started? • A Rain Barrel is a great place to begin. • Look at how water moves on your site and think of ways to slow your water down…allowing maximum infiltration. • Study Water Harvesting Principles • Keep your soil community healthy

19. How much rain can I catch? During a one inch rainfall, you can collect .62 Gallons per Square Foot of Roof A 1000 sq. ft. roof = 620 gallons 2000 Sq. Ft. = 1240 Gallons of Water That’s with just one inch of Rain!

20. A Lot of Water From 2000 sq. ft roof Alabama rain = 52 inches per year 2000 sq. ft. roof = 64,480 gals per year Average August rain = 3.04inches 3769 gals in August

21. Before you Build…. Where will you put your first Rain Barrel?

22. Where do you need the water? • Water from this pot is used twice.

23. Where are the Downspouts?

24. Where are the Downspouts? Don’t let any rainwater get away... make every raindrop count

25. Talk to me Baby

26. Where does the water go? Where are the tomatoes? An Impervious world

27. No Downspouts? • Under the eaves is fine, just slower • Roof Valleys are good sources • AC Condensate

28. Firm & Level

29. Access for hose or watering can Firm and level? A full barrel weighs over 400 lbs.

30. Keep gravity as your friend • Water flows downhill. If your garden is higher than the rainbarrel…you’ll be disappointed • You’re barrel will likely need to be on blocks • Water finds it’s own level. Barrels connected in series should all be at the same height.

31. You will have overflow Use it wisely Allow for maximum infiltration Away from your foundation Plan for Overflow • Rain Gardens • Planted Areas

32. Gather tools & Materials

33. Impervious surfaces aren’t all Bad Start with a clean and dry barrel

34. Recip saw

35. A jigsaw works too. A corner can be a helper

36. Leave Rim Intact

37. Use a 15/16” Screw in the hose bibb Drill a hole for the spigot

38. Screw in the hose bibb

39. Remember Clean & Dry? • Or female pvc adapter

42. The Overflow • For under a gutter downspout or a roof valley

43. Crimp and insert the sump hose

44. Pull through from inside

45. Your New Best Friend • A piece of screen for the top…and we’re ready to catch some rain!

46. Your Barrel needs Sunscreen • Sunlight breaks down plastic • Use paint formulated for plastic. Or use a plastic primer followed by outdoor paint. • Algae likes light • Algae feeds the planet, but can smell bad.

47. Mosquito Dunks • Be sure that they’re Bacillus thuringeinsis • NOT insecticide cakes

48. Who are the Raincatchers? • A networkof organizations, academics, professionals, municipalities and concerned citizens • Our goals are education and water quality protection • Our tool is Rainwater Harvesting

49. The Network • Auburn University Departments…A-Z • Alabama Cooperative Extension Service • Master Gardeners • Cities of Auburn & Opelika • Alabama Clean Water Partnership • Soil and Water Conservation • Concerned Citizens

50. The Network… • North Carolina Cooperative Extension • World Wildlife Fund • Alabama Water Watch • SWaMP • Landscapers, Contractors, Landscape Architects, Artists, Plumbers, Musicians, Software Designers, Dancers, Mechanics, Attorneys, Candlestick Makers….