Rain Barrels

Rain Barrels

What are they?

A rain barrel is any above ground container modified to receive, store, and distribute rooftop runoff for non-drinking uses. The typical size of a rain barrel is 55 gallons. The main components of a rain barrel are a connection to the downspout, a filter to prevent mosquitoes from entering, a faucet to allow for regulated usage, and an overflow pipe to divert the excess water.

What are the benefits of rain barrels?

• Rain water is naturally soft, oxygenated, and more acidic than tap water.
• Rain water is free of chlorine, fluoride, salts, and other minerals from tap water.
• Saves water for dry spells.
• Reduces runoff and stormwater pollution.
• Can reduce your water bill, especially in the summer.

How can the water collected be used?

The rainwater collected can be used to water lawns and gardens or wash cars and bicycles. Rainwater collected within the barrel is safe for plants because the typical minerals and pollutants trapped in the rainwater are filtered out by plant roots. Rainwater collected in the rain barrel is not for drinking; rainwater is more acidic than tap water and may contain particulate matter from air pollution.

How much do they cost?

Rain barrels cost anywhere from $20 to $300. The fancier the rain barrel, the more the cost. Costs can be reduced if the barrel is installed by the homeowner. In the summer, lawn and garden watering account for 40% of average household water usage. By adding a rain barrel, the need for municipal water is reduced. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, a rain barrel can potentially save most homeowners about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months.

Are there different colors, designs, and types of rain barrels?

Rain barrels come in essentially any design or style. However, most regular rain barrels are usually black or blue plastic. Since only a ½ inch rainfall on a 160 square foot roof will fill a 55 gallon rain barrel, some people choose to get a tandem barrel (2 barrels at 1 downspout) or another barrel at a different downspout.

What type of maintenance is required?

The barrel will require periodic cleaning. A safe cleaning solution is 2 teaspoons of castile soap and 2 teaspoons of vinegar per gallon of water or 2 teaspoons of lemon juice per gallon of water. In the winter, the barrel will need to be emptied and disconnected from the downspout.

Thinking of Installing a Rain Barrel? Let us know! We'd be interested in your comments, the success of your barrel, and pictures. Please send information to Amanda Meder, Watershed Management Division, Public Works and Utilities Department, 901 North 6th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, 402-441-7075 or ameder@lincoln.ne.gov.

VegFest 2007

On September 16, 2007, Ed Kouma, Associate Engineer, and Amanda Meder, Intern, attended the second Annual Vegfest at the Old Cheney Farmers Market. Along with displaying information about how homeowners can improve water quality, the City of Lincoln Watershed Management was collecting completed Lawn Care Surveys for a chance to win a fully assembled rain barrel. Approximately 100 surveys were returned. Photos of the event, and the winner of the rain barrel are posted below.

Additionally, Orscheln Farm and Home donated a rain barrel for a prize of the Salsa and Pepper Contests, the winner of the barrel was Community Crops .

Amanda Meder at the VegFest educational display.	Filling out surveys for a chance to win a rain barrel!	Amanda Meder teaching VegFest attendants about the fully assembled rain barrel.
Rain barrel winner, Cheryl Carlson. Ed Kouma teaching Cheryl how to set up the rain barrel at home.

Public Works and Utilities, Rain Barrel Display

555 South 10th Street
Suite 203
Lincoln, NE 68508

Next time you visit City Hall, please visit our Rain Barrel on display. This Rain Barrel is provided by Campbell's Nursery and Garden Center, where they can be purchased for $150.