Become a Hero! Install a rain barrel!

Rain barrels are a popular method of collecting and re-using rainwater and are a simple, inexpensive way to help reduce water pollution in the James River. Using rain barrels reduces the amount of stormwater and nonpoint pollution (nutrients and sediment) leaving your property.

If you’re trying to decide if a rain barrel is right for you, consider these facts:

1. Rain barrel water is not safe for drinking, but it can be used for watering gardens, filling ponds and bird baths, washing cars and rinsing off muddy shoes and paws.

2. Using a rain barrel decreases your utility bills! Lawn and garden usage makes up nearly 40% to 50% of total household water usage during the summer.

3. Rain barrels come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be customized to fit your aesthetic needs.

4. Rain barrels are inexpensive to maintain. They don’t require pumps or moving parts. To winterize, you simply drain the barrel and move it out from under the gutter pipe.

5. Depending on where you live, your locality may offer an incentive or credit to homeowners who install rain barrels.

6. Installing a rain barrel can help you become a River Hero Home!  You’ll join other residents of the watershed in protecting the health and beauty of our local streams and rivers. Remember, every river-friendly action has a positive impact on the James!

Rain Barrel Workshops

Our partners are offering rain barrel workshops throughout the watershed this spring. Join them to learn how to build a rain barrel and meet other conservation minded folks in your area.