Home rain barrels save residents money, water

 By Dan Eakin, deakin@acnpapers.com

Submitted Photo - Rain barrels allow users to conserve and reuse rainwater from roof runoff, which can sometimes lower their monthly water bill. The McKinney Office of Environmental Stewardship on Jan. 21 will host a rain-barrel seminar, during which participants can get the supplies and instruction necessary to constuct their own rain barrels.

With the drought in North Texas expected to continue at least through next summer, the city of McKinney is offering a seminar that will help participants build their own rain barrel.
The seminar, hosted by the McKinney Office of Environmental Stewardship (OES), is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 21, at McKinney Fire Station #7, located at 861 S. Independence in McKinney.
For $50, participants will be provided with supplies and training so that they can build their own rain barrel at the seminar. Such rain barrels often retail for as high as $250.

Rainwater from a roof may be channeled through a gutter or pipe into the netted rain barrel. While rainwater collected in the barrel is typically not recommended for drinking unless treated, it can be used for flushing toilets, washing clothes or cars or watering a lawn, plants or garden.
A significant use of rainwater via a rain barrel may result in a lower water bill. Residents can save money and, more importantly, conserve water.
With the drought expected to continue, we all need to save as much rainwater as we can," Martha Cavazos Fipps, McKinney environmental education coordinator.
Dotty Woodson, water resource program specialist for the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas, will be on hand to teach the importance and advantages of rainwater harvesting. Texas AgriLife Extension will provide the supplies for the rain barrels.
Fipps said rain barrels are constructed from blue, re-purposed food-grade containers with a 55-gallon capacity. The barrels are 24 inches in diameter and 36 inches tall. Each participant will receive insect netting, a hose bib (faucet), caulk and an adapter.
"Some will attend the class to only watch and learn," Fipps said, "while others will want to build one or more rain barrels."
Those who do not plan to build a rain barrel will not have to pay to attend. However, they will be admitted only as the classroom size will permit.
Attendees may build up to three rain barrels at $50 each. "Just make sure they can fit in your vehicle," Fipps said.
Residents who live in subdivisions with a homeowner's association should make sure they follow guidelines and architectural requirements if the rain barrel would be visible at their home.
To register for the seminar, visit www.mckinneytexas.org-greenevent. For more information, call the OES office at 972-547-7335 or email green@mckinneytexas.org.