RAIN BARRELS
Save the Rain for a Sunny Day!

What is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a container used to collect and store rainwater that would otherwise be lost to runoff and likely diverted to a storm drain. Collected water may then be used to water lawns and gardens. Rainwater can be harvested in many ways. The catchment system that Cuyahoga SWCD uses is just one way to capture the rainwater for usage in your yard.

Why use a Rain Barrel?

WATER CONSERVATION
Approximately 60% of our municipal water supply goes directly to watering our lawns. By using rain barrels, you lessen the amount of water flowing into our storm drains, sewer systems, and ultimately local waterways. This water can then be used during hot or dry spells to water your garden.

PROTECTION OF LOCAL WATERSHEDS
Seventy million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns each year, contaminating storm water (rainwater) runoff. Fertilizers and pesticides are a primary source of water pollution. By collecting rainwater, you prevent that runoff from picking up and carrying these harmful pollutants into our local waterways.

NATURAL GARDENING
Using rainwater to water your garden in natural and healthy. Plants and beneficial microbes in the soil like rainwater because it is naturally soft - free of chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals.

How Do I Make and Install a Rain Barrel?
Click here for our handout on rain barrels which describes the system we use and how to build it/install it.

You can also attend one of our upcoming workshops which is sometimes and easier option because we get all the materials for you, have all the tools, and teach you how to make it.

Upcoming Rain Barrel Workshops

We will have the barrel, parts, tools and downspout diverter. You will make your own barrel (help is provided if necessary) to take home to use on your home.

Choose a date/time that works for you and call the appropriate number to register. We will send out a registration confirmation with directions to the location.

Cost for workshop is $60 (unless otherwise indicated).

Please note that reservations must be received one week before the workshop date. We put in the orders for barrels one week before the workshop date to have them delivered to the site. Thank you!

Date	Location	Time	How to register	Notes
March 20	Rocky River Nature Center North Olmsted	6:30pm - 8:00pm	216/524-6580 ext. 14	Held in collaboration with the City of North Olmsted and the Rocky River Watershed Council
March 22 Rain Barrel and Compost Seminar	Mayfield Village Community Room	6:30pm - 8:30pm	216/524-6580 ext. 16 Register by March 14, 2012	Held in collaboration with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, Mayfield Village and Friends of Euclid Creek Flyer here
April 21	Euclid Historical Society	10:00am - 11:30am	216/524-6580 ext. 16	Held in collaboration with the City of Euclid and the Friends of Euclid Creek Flyer here
April 25	Bay Village Community House	6:30pm - 8:00pm	216/524-6580 ext. 22	Held in collaboration with the City of Bay Village and the Bay Village Green Team
May 15	Rocky River Nature Center North Olmsted	6:30pm - 8:00pm	216/524-6580 ext. 14	Held in collaboration with the City of North Olmsted and the Rocky River Watershed Council
May 17	Don Umerley Civic Center (Memorial Hall) Rocky River	6:00pm - 7:30pm	216/524-6580, ext. 22	Held in collaboration with the City of Rocky River
May 30	Independence Civic Center	6:00pm - 7:30pm	216/524-6580, ext. 22	Held in collaboration with the City of Independence
June 13	Lyndhurst Community Center	6:30pm - 8:00pm	216/524-6580 ext. 16	Held in collaboration with the City of Lyndhurst and Friends of Euclid Creek Flyer here
June 18	Brooklyn City Hall	6:00pm - 7:30pm	216/524-6580, ext. 22	Held in collaboration with the City of Brooklyn and Friends of Big Creek
June 26	Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District Garfield Heights	6:00pm - 8:00pm	216/524-6580, ext. 22	Held in collaboration with the City of Garfield Heights and the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District
July 12	Brecksville Civic Center	6:00pm - 7:30pm	216/524-6580, ext. 22	Held in collaboration with the City of Brecksville
July 17	Rocky River Nature Center North Olmsted	6:30pm - 8:00pm	216/524-6580 ext. 14	Held in collaboration with the City of North Olmsted and the Rocky River Watershed Council
July 18	Blessed Trinity Church Cleveland	6:00pm - 7:30pm	216/524-6580, ext. 22	Held in collaboration with Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation and the City of Cleveland
August 23	Donna Smallwood Activities Center and Office on Aging (Parma)	6:00pm - 7:30pm	216/524-6580, ext. 22	Held in collaboration with the City of Parma and the Friends of Big Creek
September 29	Coe Lake Pavilion Berea	11:00am - 12:30pm	216/524-6580, ext. 10	Held in collaboration with the City of Berea and the Rocky River Watershed Council

Additional information on rain barrels

Click here to see our painted rain barrels from 2010.

City of Seven Hills Project R.A.I.N. program - video about rain barrels

Local Rain Barrel Diverters: "Oatey, a Cleveland plumbing manufacturer, is dipping into rain barrels" Friday, August 14, 2009

Research article about Rooftop Runoff Water Quality and Implications for Residential Water Harvesting Systems (click here for article).

Other ways to get a rain barrel:

You can purchase a pre-made rain barrel many places locally - they are usually more expensive than our workshops, but this option may be more convenient and aesthetic for your tastes - try Home Depot, Lowe's, Whole Foods, Smith & Hawken (Legacy Village), ...
Or we have heard of several local businesses that will make and install a rain barrel for you:
- BlueWaterOhio.com – Lyndhurst-based company - contact David George at 216-382-0585 to find about about kits and installation options.
- Rain Barrels n' MORE: Avon-based resource and the local contact is Ann Gedeon - ann@theGREENgarageStore.com or 440-666-6577
- Water Pirates: info@eaglestoneproducts.com or 440-463-8089
Cleveland residents - rain barrels are available in several neighborhoods in Cleveland for free (funded through Cleveland's Sustainability Department and NEORSD); contact your local community development corporation to see if this is an option in your neighborhood.
For the most convenience google rain barrels and order one online to have delivered straight to you.
Or if you couldn't make one of our workshops, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens hold local rain barrel workshops too.

(please call Cuyahoga SWCD if you know of local rain barrel resources we missed!)

RAIN BARRELS Save the Rain for a Sunny Day!

RAIN BARRELS
Save the Rain for a Sunny Day!