Project Rain Barrel

COORDINATED BY:

River Network & Project Rain Barrel River Network empowers and unites people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain all life.

Since 2011, River Network’s rain barrel program has distributed over 4,500 upcycled rain barrels to hundreds of communities across the U.S. and Canada.

Project Rain Barrel is generously

supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation

Flint River Watershed Coalition Partnering to protect, promote, and improve the Flint River and its watershed.

The Flint River Stewardship Day has been an April staple for over twenty years. The cleanup event originally began with the Friends of the Flint River Trail. Over the years, many partners have joined forces to now create one of the area’s largest cleanup eforts.

The Flint River Watershed Coalition and its chapters boasted over 330 volunteers in 2017 at 21 sites across the watershed. These same partners and more have come together again in 2018 with an ambitious goal of exceeding 500 volunteers.

Neighborhood Engagement HubTo strengthen and restore communities by providing a source for information, education, facilitation, project development,

advocacy, supportive equipment and material

The Neighborhood Engagement Hub provides:

* A community tool shed that provides residents and community groups access to free or low-cost tools and equipment for blight elimination and property maintenance.

* Community development services to help neighborhood groups achieve their goals.

* A community-based facility to host meetings, conduct programs, and build community with your neighbors.

Household water use Everything we purchase and consume, from food to electronics, indirectly increases our water use

The average U.S. family directly uses 320 gallons of water per day 2

Up to 60% of water use occurs outdoors, depending on where you live. The majority is used for irrigation2

Half of irrigation water is wasted though evaporation, leaks, and runof from improperly adjusted sprinkler systems2

2: United State Environmental Protection Agency. How We Use Water. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/watersense/how-we-use-water. 11/10/17.

Household indoor water use by fixture3

3: DeOreo, W.B., Mayerm P.M., Dziegielewski, B., Kiefer, J. (2016) Residential End Uses of Water, Version 2: Executive report. Water Research Foundation.

Toilet 24%

Shower 20%

Faucet 19%

Clothes Washer 17%

Leaks 12%

Dishwasher 2%Other 4%Bath 3%

Solutions Fix leaks immediately

The average household leaks over 10,000 gallons of water each year!4

Consider your food choicesEating one less pound of beef each week can save 93,600 gallons every year!5

Install Water Sense certified fixturesA Water Sense clothes washer can save 25 gallons per load!6

Advocate for green infrastructure in your communityInstall rain gardens, green roofs, porous pavement, and rain barrels!Support local green infrastructure development!

4: United States Environmental Protection Agency. Fix a Leak Week. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week . 11/10/2017.5: GRACE Communications Foundation. The Water Footprint of Food. Retrieved from: http://www.gracelinks.org/1361/the-water-footprint-of-food. 11/10/17. 6: Consumer Reports: Washing machines that save water and money. Retrieved from: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/04/washing-machines-that-save-water-and-money/index.htm. 11/20/2017

Harvest free rainwater Rain barrels divert, collect, and store free rain and snowmelt that would normally flow from roofops into storm drains, rivers, and lakes.

Use rainwater to water gardens, flowers, trees and lawns, and for other household needs.

WARNINGNever drink or cook with water from a rain barrel!It is untreated and may contain contaminants that could harm you or

your pets if ingested

Rain barrel benefits Save money on water bills

Limit pollution from flowing into rivers

Save water for use during droughts

Control erosion and moisture accumulation near foundations

Reduce demand for treated tap water

Rain barrel guidelines Buildings must have gutters & downspouts Check with landlords or HOAs before installing a rain barrel Do not collect rainwater if you use chemicals on your roof Connect multiple barrels in sequence for greater water storage Do not remove the vent cap, it cannot be reattached

Building and installing

rain barrels

Prepare a base

Drill the fill hole

Paint the barrel

Drill the diverter hole

Install the diverter

Maintain the barrel

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Prepare a base (at home) Select a flat location for the barrel within three feet of a downspout Choose a downspout that collects water from a large section of roof Place the barrel close to gardens for easier watering Required: Raise the barrel of the ground by at least 10 inches Purchase a commercially available rain barrel stand or construct a simple base with wood, cinder blocks, bricks, or extra patio pavers Remember that full barrels weigh nearly 500 pounds

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WARNINGFull rain barrels are very heavy!

Children must always be supervised near rain barrels

Drill the fill hole Consider the location of the barrel before drilling the fill hole. The hole should be on the side of the barrel closest to the downspout

Measure down 3 inches from the top of the barrel, make a mark

Assemble the 1 ½ inch hole saw

Carefully drill the fill hole, centered on the mark

Insert the smaller rubber fitting

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Pro Tip: Consider drilling the fill hole at home. It should be as close to the downspout as possible.

Pro Tip: Consider drilling the fill hole at home. It should be as close to the downspout as possible.

Paint your barrel Painting the barrel helps stop sunlight from causing algae blooms

Raise the barrel of the ground for easier painting

Required: Prime the barrel with plastic spray paint primer

Apply lefover house paint over primer to camouflage the barrel

For artistic barrels: apply acrylic paint over the primer. Protect your work with a coat of spray-on clear sealant

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Pro Tip: Leave a 2 inch vertical strip of the barrel unpainted so you can see how full it is

Pro Tip: Leave a 2 inch vertical strip of the barrel unpainted so you can see how full it is

Pro Tip: Ask a hardware store or recycling center for free miss-mixed paint

Pro Tip: Ask a hardware store or recycling center for free miss-mixed paint

Drill the diverter hole (at home) Measure your downspout. Always drill into the 3 inch side

Place your barrel on the stand

Use straight edge to mark the downspout level with the fill hole

Assemble the 2 ⅛ inch hole saw

Drill into the 3 inch side of the downspout centered on the mark

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WARNINGAlways wear eye protection and gloves when drilling into metal

Install the diverter Squeeze the sides of the diverter and insert it into the downspout. The cup and arrow should be facing up

Secure the diverter with the two small screws

Insert the fill tube into the diverter and the barrel’s top hole

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Pro Tip: Cover the diverter

with window screen to keep debris out

Pro Tip: Cover the diverter

with window screen to keep debris out

Maintain your barrel6

Pro Tip: Flip the diverter

upside down to stop water from filling

Pro Tip: Flip the diverter

upside down to stop water from filling

Pro Tip: Connect multiple

barrels to increase storage capacity

Pro Tip: Connect multiple

barrels to increase storage capacity

Optional: If your barrel is missing the cap, cover the opening with window screen, a piece of wood, or a 4’’ PVC end cap to keep mosquitoes out

Check the barrel afer the first storm. Make sure it’s filling and not leaking

Periodically rinse the inside of the barrel with clean hose water

Disconnect and drain the barrel in winter if you live where water will freeze

Be social!Share photos of your rain barrel on social media!

#RiverNetwork #ProjectRainBarrel #FlintFwd #Stewardship2018

river_network

@RiverNetwork@RNRainBarrel

Thank Youfor taking action to protect our shared water resources!

Visit RiverNetwork.org to learn more about water conservation

and Project Rain Barrel

LIABILITY EXEMPTION River Network, the Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola

Foundation, and your workshop host organizers cannot be held liable for any accident or injury resulting from

the construction, installation, or use of rain barrels

Take the remaining parts of the hardware kit home with you!