May. 06, 2024
As we develop our cities and towns, we replace forests and meadows with buildings and pavement. And now when it rains, the water (often called runoff or stormwater) runs off roofs and driveways into the street. Runoff picks up fertilizer, oil, pesticides, dirt, bacteria and other pollutants as it makes its way through storm drains and ditches - untreated - to our streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean. Polluted runoff is one of the greatest threats to clean water in the U.S.
For more information, please visit why is it necessary to stop rainwater.
When we take action to soak up the rain, we keep rain closer to where it falls and reduce the runoff from our roofs, driveways, and parking lots. Reducing runoff can help prevent water pollution, reduce flooding, and protect our precious drinking water resources. When we soak up the rain, we also help beautify our neighborhoods and bring many other benefits to our communities:
Prevent water pollution - Soaking up the rain helps keep rain water on-site and reduce the polluted runoff flowing into our streets and local waterways.
Reduce flooding - When heavy rain falls, the runoff that flows into the street can back up and cause street flooding. When we soak up the rain we help reduce the amount of water that flows from our properties into the street and the stormwater system.
Protect our water resources - When we soak up the rain we help get water into the ground. This helps to keep our streams and rivers flowing and replenish the groundwater we rely on for drinking water and other uses. By reducing the rush of stormwater flowing downstream we’re also helping to reduce soil and stream bank erosion.
Climate resiliency - As different parts of the country become drier, wetter or hotter, green infrastructure practices can help communities improve their resiliency.
Beautify neighborhoods - When we soak up the rain with trees and rain gardens in our yards and in our cities, we're adding beauty to the landscape.
Cool the air - When we soak up the rain by planting trees and other plants in our urban neighborhoods we're helping to cool the air and reduce urban heat islands.
Save money - When we soak up the rain and reduce the runoff that flows to the street, we reduce the water to be handled by the town drainage systems. This can help lower community costs for managing this water. Green roofs can lower building energy costs; permeable pavements can lower construction costs for residential and commercial development by reducing the need for some conventional drainage features.
Create habitat - When we plant trees, grasses and flowering perennials, especially native plants suitable for the area, we create habitat for birds and insects such as butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
In recent days, experts have highlighted the increasing necessity of this approach due to shifting climate patterns. According to a recent report by The Guardian, many U.S. cities are facing more frequent and severe flooding, making local water management efforts ever more crucial. Additionally, integrating practices such as using a glass-fused-to-steel storage tank can provide long-term benefits for water conservation.
Stormwater News PSA
Short video introduces what stormwater is, why it's a problem and what you can do to keep it clean.
Step by Step, A Guide to Curbing Polluted Runoff, Long Island Sound Study
Fact sheet describes the problems of pet waste, lawn fertilizer, and car maintenance/washing, and the steps we can take to help prevent pollution and be part of the solution.
Stormwater Basics, Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions
What is stormwater, why is it a problem, and where do I fit in?
After the Storm, A Citizen's Guide to Understanding Stormwater, U.S. EPA (pdf)
This brochure provides a broad overview of stormwater pollution, including runoff from residential and commercial properties, farms, construction sites, automotive facilities, forestry operations and others
Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff, Clean Water is Everybody's Business, U.S. EPA (pdf)
This is a fact sheet about how urban runoff affects water quality
Think Blue Maine
Includes information for homeowners on the steps they can take to reduce polluted stormwater runoff.
Think Blue Massachusetts
A statewide educational campaign to help residents and businesses do their part to reduce polluted runoff.
Talking Clean Water on the Streets of the Lake Champlain Basin
Where does the water in the lake come from? What steps can be taken to help keep the lake clean.
Polluted Runoff, Nonpoint Source Pollution, U.S. EPA
Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries pollutants into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal and ground waters. Urban and suburban areas, where much of the land surface is covered by buildings, pavement and compacted landscapes that increase runoff, are one source of nonpoint pollution.
Nutrient Pollution, U.S. EPA
Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems. Stormwater carries pollutants, including the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, into our local waterways.
Have you ever wondered what stormwater is made of? This video will help to answer that question. This is just one of many questions you can find answers to as part of the Penn State Extension Stormwater Basics Education Series.
Stormwater is precipitation, including both rain and snow, that flows across the land. Stormwater runoff infiltrates into the ground, discharges directly into streams and rivers, or evaporates into the atmosphere. Impervious surfaces are any surface that water cannot infiltrate through. Examples include your driveway, sidewalk, patio, porch, garage, shed, and roof.
A rain barrel is a low-cost water conservation device that can decrease stormwater runoff into waterways by sitting underneath a building's downspout and collecting water from the roof during each rain event.
There are a couple of advantages to using a rain barrel. It's a source of free water that can be used various ways around your property. The collected rainwater can be used for watering gardens, lawns, trees, window boxes, and planters. It's best to use the collected water on inedible plants, such as the lawn or flowers. Specifically, avoid watering edible plants if you have old tar-and-gravel or asbestos shingle roofs, treated wood shingles or shakes, copper roofs, or if you have a zinc anti-moss strip. Also, pay attention to the type of gutter you have, since some may be coated with lead-based paints.
Water from the rain barrel can be used for outdoor cleaning, rinsing hands, boots, and garden tools. The water could also be used in a fountain or to extinguish campfires. The water in a rain barrel is not drinkable. The water collected from the roof can be laden with leaf litter, bird droppings, which include the potential for bacteria, dust, other airborne materials, and chemicals from roof material.
What are the benefits of using a rain barrel? They reduce runoff and pollution, reduce erosion, reduce flooding, reduce sewer backups, save money on water bills, help keep creeks and rivers healthy, and raise stormwater awareness.
How does a rain barrel work? A rain barrel is connected to your downspout. For more details, kindly visit glass-fused-to-steel. It has a hole on the top and has a sealed lid. The rain barrel has a spigot that should be placed six to 12 inches from the bottom of the barrel. You should be able to connect a hose to the threaded spigot. It is important that your rain barrel has an overflow. The barrel will fill very quickly in a major rain event. The overflow prevents it from coming apart when the rain barrel is full.
Be sure the barrel is placed on a sturdy platform. When full a rain barrel can weigh up to 500 pounds. It should be raised high enough so you can easily put a bucket under it to draw out water. Before purchasing a rain barrel, determine the location so you can get the size of barrel or barrels that you need. Be sure to consider an overflow where excess water will drain. Direct the overflow to a garden or lawn, rather than to an impervious surface such as your driveway. How do you determine how much rainwater your rain barrel can hold? This requires you to do some math. The required capacity of a rain barrel is a function of the rooftop surface area that drains into it.
To determine capacity, use the equation shown here. Multiply the average inches of rain per rain event by the square footage of the roof. Multiply that by the 0.6 conversion factor to determine the gallons to rain barrel per rain event. To increase capacity, you can connect more than one rain barrel together, as shown here. Water needs to be used between rain events to provide stormwater benefits, otherwise the barrel will not serve its water conservation purpose. Excess water will overflow from your barrel.
Where can you get a rain barrel? You may purchase one or build your own. Perhaps you can find a build your own barrel workshop at your county extension office or conservation district. There are important factors to consider when choosing a rain barrel. If you are recycling a barrel, consider what the barrel was used for. It is not recommended to use one that was used to store hazardous or toxic chemicals. Recycled food grade barrels, shown here, are ideal. Be sure the barrel does not become a mosquito breeding ground. Water should not lay on top of the barrel. If your barrel has a large opening at the top, be sure it is covered with a screen. If the screen tears, be sure to repair holes.
Rain barrel maintenance is minimal, but important. Inspect the components at least twice per year and repair or replace parts as needed. Clear the screen of any debris. Disconnect your barrel and clean out the inside of the barrel once per year. Rain barrels also need some attention in the winter months. Water may freeze in your barrel during the winter, causing the barrel to crack. To prevent damage, either disconnect it and store it in a garage or shed or empty it and open the spigot for the winter. Rain barrels are a great way to reuse water running off rooftops while minimizing stormwater runoff pollution.
If you have additional questions about stormwater or you are just interested in learning more, you can find a full series of videos and fact sheets on the Penn State Extension website. Just search for 'stormwater basics'.
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