Stormwater is any rainwater or melting snow/ice that flows over the surface of the land to the nearest storm sewer, ditch, stream, or lake. Hard surfaces like driveways, roofs, parking lots, and even some lawns don’t let water soak into the ground. Instead, the water from these surfaces runs off into our storm drains, rivers, streams, and lakes and can cause flooding and increased streambank erosion as the water flows more quickly and in larger volumes.
Stormwater can carry dirt and pollution, such as, litter, debris, and oil into our streams and lakes. Even runoff from our lawns can contain fertilizers, grass clippings, pet waste, and pesticides. Too much stormwater entering our storm drains and ditches can cause backups and flooding, and requires additional infrastructure to clean up polluted waterways.
Keeping pollutants out of our water is less expensive than cleaning the water, and reducing the amount of stormwater entering our storm drains and ditches will reduce the amount of flooding in our communities. Keep our streams, lakes, and our drinking water supplies healthy by making some changes to what you do on your property.
Installing a rain barrel or cistern on your property can capture stormwater for future use and reduce the amount of stormwater runoff that ends up in our streams. A rain barrel can be fitted to your existing downspout and typically holds about 50 gallons of water.
Using water stored from your rain barrel can potentially save about 1,300 gallons of municipal water during peak summer months, which places less stress on municipal water supplies and saves you money on your water bill! Rain barrels are inexpensive, easy to install and easy to operate and maintain.
Common Rain Barrel Questions
What can I use rain barrel water for?
Water from your rain barrel can be used to water your outdoor landscaping and lawn, or indoor non-edible plants. It is not drinkable water, but you can use it to water your vegetable garden, lawn, landscaping, or even to wash your car, bikes, and lawn furniture.
What happens if my rain barrel overflows?
You can fit your rain barrel with either an overflow hose adapter or a diverter kit to connect it to your downspouts. The overflow hose adapter can attach to a garden hose so when the barrel fills, the overflow can be directed to a rain garden or other landscaping in your yard. Diverter kits are installed on the downspout and can divert the rainwater down the gutter into the storm sewer like it would be without the rain barrel being there. Diverters can sometimes be used in communities that prohibit downspout disconnections since it doesn’t actually disconnect the gutter from the storm sewer system, and are also useful for safely winterizing your rain barrel so water doesn’t collect in the barrel and freeze.
What about mosquitoes in my rain barrel?
Installing a rain barrel with a screen or lid on top will help prevent mosquitoes from getting inside your barrel. Most mosquito species need about 7-12 days of standing water to complete their development cycle, so a good rule of thumb is to keep water standing in your barrel no longer than a week to eliminate mosquito concerns. As an additional precaution, you can float a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil on the surface of the water in the barrel, which will suffocate any mosquito larvae that hatch. Vegetable oil will not harm your plants and is a safe, natural alternative to pesticides.
My roof is so small. Is it even worthwhile for me to think about a rain barrel?
Definitely! It is estimated that for an 800 square foot roof area draining to one downspout gutter, 500 gallons of water will come off that part of the roof in a 1-inch rainstorm. If enough people in one neighborhood install rain barrels, that translates to significant reductions in flooding and water pollution within your community. Every bit counts!
What do I do with my rain barrel in the winter?
Ensure that the barrel is emptied and disconnected from the downspout during the winter, unless you have a diverter installed that you can use to allow all the water to go down the downspout. During the winter, either store your rain barrel indoors or turn it upside down or cover it tightly to ensure water does not accumulate in the barrel, freeze, and damage your rain barrel.
https://www.watercache.com/education/rainwater-harvesting-101 –> has a bunch of resources; need to look at further and pull stuff out
Marion County SWCD: Rain Barrels, Bioswales & Rain Gardens
Stormwater Credit Manual for City of Indianapolis
DIY Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Your House
Rain Harvesting Barrel Options
Build Your Own Rain Barrel Instructions – SWAC
YardMD 